Guided Strike MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Guided Strike can turn combat in your favor while simultaneously drawing a card for sustained advantage.
  2. Consider mana and hand size since casting Guided Strike exchanges one resource for potential board control.
  3. Versatile and situationally powerful, Guided Strike excels in creature-focused strategies and diverse meta environments.

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn. Draw a card.

"If you can kill your enemy with the first stroke, you save yourself the labor of the second." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Guided Strike provides a player with an immediate benefit by boosting a creature’s power and toughness, potentially turning the tide of battle. This can lead to successful combat scenarios that may remove an opponent’s key creatures or deal crucial damage, indirectly serving as a form of card advantage by impacting the board state to your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Guided Strike itself doesn’t generate resources directly, the application of this card often leads to a more favorable board position. A creature buffed with Guided Strike could contribute to a victory that accelerates your game plan, whether it be dealing lethal damage or clearing the way for your other creatures to remain uncontested.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Guided Strike allows for significant flexibility. You can cast it during the combat phase, potentially surprising an opponent with an unexpected boost in power and toughness, as well as the added card draw which could immediately provide you with more options. It keeps opponents on their toes, having to consider the possibility of combat tricks like Guided Strike when they decide whether or not to block or attack.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Guided Strike provides a card draw, it doesn’t do so for free. The need to cast it means you’re essentially swapping one card for another which can be counterproductive if you’re trying to maintain a sizeable hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a white spell, Guided Strike requires at least one white mana to cast. This specificity narrows its integration to decks that can produce white mana consistently, potentially excluding it from a variety of other deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the fast-paced world of MTG, spending two mana for a relatively minor effect—+1/+0 and card draw—may not be the most efficient use of resources. Other cards at a lower mana cost can offer similar or better benefits without impacting your mana curve as much.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Guided Strike offers a two-in-one package with its ability to boost a creature’s power and provide card draw. This makes it an asset in a variety of decks, particularly those that need temporary buffs and incremental card advantage.

Combo Potential: Because it grants +1/+0 and first strike, Guided Strike can be instrumental in creating advantageous combat situations or synergizing with effects that trigger upon dealing combat damage.

Meta-Relevance: In scenarios where creature-based strategies dominate, the instant speed interaction from Guided Strike can turn the tides of combat, making it a relevant choice for both aggressive and defensive decks in the current meta.


How to beat

Guided Strike is a versatile instant in Magic: The Gathering that can both turn the tide in combat and refresh your hand by drawing a card. Much like other combat trick cards, it gives a temporary boost, in this case providing +1/+0 and first strike to a target creature until the end of the turn. To counteract a card like Guided Strike, it’s crucial to either prevent the combat trick from resolving or mitigate its impact.

For a start, holding up mana for a counterspell can keep this boost from ever reaching the battlefield. Options like Spell Pierce or Negate are perfect as they are low-cost and can specifically target noncreature spells. If you’re without counter magic, focus on removing the creature before the combat phase, using efficient removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. Moreover, anticipate your opponent’s Guided Strike by avoiding unfavorable blocks or by employing creatures that can survive the improved assault. Lastly, creatures with indestructible or those big enough to withstand the powered-up attack can nullify the trick card’s advantage, safeguarding your life total and maintaining board presence.

In summary, the key to beating Guided Strike lies in preemptive measures, precise timing, and maintaining control over the combat dynamics, ensuring that your opponent’s tricks don’t catch you off guard during crucial moments of play.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG players understand the delicate art of finessing their decks with the right mix of strategy and power. Guided Strike provides an intriguing blend of combat enhancement and card draw, allowing for dynamic play and unexpected board shifts. For enthusiasts keen on refining tactics, incorporating cards like Guided Strike can enhance your plays and open up new avenues for victory. If you’re looking to seamlessly integrate instant speed interactions or simply boost your gameplay with versatile cards, you’ll find exploring these facets rewarding. Dive deeper with us and discover how to make Guided Strike a pivotal part of your winning ensemble.


Cards like Guided Strike

Guided Strike is a notable instant in Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of combat tricks and card draw. Comparable to Guided Strike, Inspired Charge is a card that delivers a boost to creatures, albeit without the card draw advantage. Guided Strike, with its card draw, allows for maintaining card advantage while also providing a decisive +1/+0 and first strike during combat.

Another card that echoes the combat assistance theme is Sure Strike. While Sure Strike provides a more substantial power increase with an additional +3/+0, it forgoes the card draw feature, concentrating purely on the offensive surge. Guided Strike’s balance between combat edge and replacing itself in a player’s hand gives it a use that’s distinct in tactical situations.

The strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering is further exhibited through these comparisons, where each card like Guided Strike has its place. Whether a player needs immediate strength with Sure Strike, a broader effect with Inspired Charge, or a mix of offense and resource with Guided Strike, choices abound to fit various gameplay styles and deck builds.

Inspired Charge - MTG Card versions
Sure Strike - MTG Card versions
Inspired Charge - Magic 2011 (M11)
Sure Strike - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)

Cards similar to Guided Strike by color, type and mana cost

Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blow - MTG Card versions
Sacred Boon - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Razor Barrier - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Bathe in Light - MTG Card versions
Dawn Charm - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Divine Offering - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Alabaster Potion - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Lightning Blow - Ice Age (ICE)
Sacred Boon - Ice Age (ICE)
Invulnerability - Tempest (TMP)
Remedy - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Rhystic Shield - Prophecy (PCY)
Samite Ministration - Invasion (INV)
Shield Wall - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Life Burst - Odyssey (ODY)
Shelter - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Equal Treatment - Torment (TOR)
Aura Extraction - Onslaught (ONS)
Raise the Alarm - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Razor Barrier - Mirrodin (MRD)
Test of Faith - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Echoing Calm - Darksteel (DST)
Bathe in Light - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Dawn Charm - Commander Legends (CMR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Guided Strike MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and Judgment, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Guided Strike and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Guided Strike Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-06-09WeatherlightWTH 161997normalblackGary Leach
22002-05-27JudgmentJUD 131997normalblackDave Dorman
32017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 232015normalblackDave Dorman
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 1292015normalblackDave Dorman
52020-09-26The ListPLST IMA-232015normalblackDave Dorman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Guided Strike has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Guided Strike card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2017-11-17 If the creature is an illegal target when Guided Strike tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t draw a card.

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