Dual Strike MTG Card


Dual Strike - Kaldheim
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Foretell
Released2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set nameKaldheim
Set codeKHM
Number132
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byNestor Ossandon Leal

Key Takeaways

  1. Dual Strike excels in generating card advantage by copying spells, potentially swinging games.
  2. Foretell allows for mana resource optimization, enabling smoother and more efficient plays.
  3. Instant speed gives players tactical flexibility during critical moments of a match.

Text of card

When you cast your next instant or sorcery spell with mana value 4 or less this turn, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy. Foretell (During your turn, you may pay and exile this card from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dual Strike shines in its capacity to amplify your spell-casting potential. When you cast your next instant or sorcery spell with mana value 4 or less this turn, you can copy it, gaining an extra instance of that spell. This can effectively double the impact of your actions and put you ahead in the resource game, maintaining or extending your lead on the board.

Resource Acceleration: The value of Dual Strike is heightened by its foretell ability. By allowing you to exile it during your turn and cast it later for a reduced cost, it smoothens out your mana curve. This can help accelerate your game plan by freeing up resources, which, in certain decks, can mean ramping up to pivotal turns faster than your opponent.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Dual Strike cannot be overstated. As an instant, it provides you the tactical advantage of adaptability. You can keep your mana untapped to respond to your opponent’s threats or game-changing moves. If they don’t present a target for your counterplay, you can cast Dual Strike at the end of their turn, potentially leading to a devastating sequence on your next turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dual Strike imposes a requirement to discard a card, which can be a setback, especially when your hand is already scarce in options or if every card is crucial to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s cost demands a precise mana arrangement, including double red, which could potentially restrict its inclusion only to decks that heavily favor or can accommodate such mana demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including the stringent red mana requirement, there are alternative spells that could be cast for less—offering similar or more immediate benefits without necessitating the setup that Dual Strike involves.


Reasons to Include Dual Strike in Your Collection

Versatility: Dual Strike provides flexibility due to its ability to copy any subsequent instant or sorcery spell with mana value 4 or less. This can easily adapt to a range of strategies, from increasing direct damage output to doubling up on key removal or draw spells.

Combo Potential: With Dual Strike in your deck, you unlock powerful combinations that can turn the tide of the game. Imagine doubling up on value spells like ramp or critical game-changing effects, potentially leading to overwhelming advantages and incredible turns.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where spell-based strategies are prevalent, Dual Strike’s influence cannot be overstated. Its capacity to interact and enhance pivotal turns preps your deck to compete against a wide array of competitive strategies.


How to beat

Dual Strike is a card that often catches players off guard, offering the ability to copy the next instant or sorcery spell with a mana value of four or less that the player casts during the same turn. One effective method to deal with Dual Strike is to limit the number of worthwhile targets. Playing a deck with fewer spells that Dual Strike can copy diminishes its utility. Additionally, instant-speed removal or counter spells can be crucial in disrupting the combo before it unfolds.

Counterspells like Negate or Dovin’s Veto are especially valuable since they can target Dual Strike directly or counter the potentially game-changing spell that your opponent is seeking to copy. Hand disruption is another avenue, with cards like Thoughtseize or Duress, removing Dual Strike from your opponent’s hand before it can be cast. Lastly, keeping a wary eye on the mana your opponent leaves untapped can give you the hint you need to play around this card, making sure not to overcommit to the board or leave yourself vulnerable to a potentially devastating copied spell.

Understanding your opponent’s strategy and carefully navigating the timing of your spells can effectively neutralize the threat posed by Dual Strike, ensuring it’s more of a mild inconvenience than a definitive game-changer.


BurnMana Recommendations

Elevate your gameplay and deck strategy with the right insights into Dual Strike. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the MTG arena, this powerful card can offer you a competitive edge. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses guides you to make informed decisions that can shape the outcome of your matches. Incorporate Dual Strike into your collection and harness its full potential—master its foretell ability to stay one step ahead of your opponents. Curious about maximizing Dual Strike’s impact or seeking ways to outmaneuver it? Don’t miss out on deepening your MTG knowledge with us.


Cards like Dual Strike

Dual Strike from Magic: The Gathering stands out in the class of red spells designed to double the impact of your sorceries and instants. It shares this doubling principle with cards such as Fork, which traditionally copies any single instant or sorcery spell. Unlike Fork’s restrictive targeting, Dual Strike’s “foretell” mechanic offers flexibility, allowing a player to set up their big turn in advance without revealing their immediate intentions.

Then there’s Twincast, providing a similar function at the same mana cost but without the potential for reduced casting cost the next turn. Twincast exclusively targets a single spell on the stack; however, Dual Strike allows you to pay less if planned ahead. Another member of this family is Reverberate, echoing the capabilities of Twincast with the twist of being a red spell, synergizing with decks that capitalize on red mana.

While each card maintains balanced pros and cons, Dual Strike provides a strategic depth that may appeal to players who enjoy carefully timing their moves and capitalizing on red’s swift playstyle. Its edge lies in anticipation and the payoff of casting multiple copies of powerful spells in a single, game-altering turn.

Fork - MTG Card versions
Twincast - MTG Card versions
Reverberate - MTG Card versions
Fork - MTG Card versions
Twincast - MTG Card versions
Reverberate - MTG Card versions

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

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
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Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Release the Ants - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dual Strike MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Dual Strike and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dual Strike has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-02-05 A copy is created even if the spell you cast has been countered or otherwise left the stack by the time the copy ability resolves. The copy will resolve before the original spell.
2021-02-05 Because exiling a card with foretell from your hand is a special action, you can do so any time you have priority during your turn, including in response to spells and abilities. Once you announce you’re taking the action, no other player can respond by trying to remove the card from your hand.
2021-02-05 Casting a foretold card from exile follows the timing rules for that card. If you foretell an instant card, you can cast it as soon as the next player’s turn. In most cases, if you foretell a card that isn’t an instant (or doesn’t have flash), you’ll have to wait until your next turn to cast it.
2021-02-05 Dual Strike will copy any instant or sorcery spell with converted mana cost 4 or less, not just one that requires targets.
2021-02-05 If a spell has in its mana cost, use the value of X to determine whether its converted mana cost is 4 or less. If the spell is copied, the copy will have the same value of X.
2021-02-05 If the spell has damage divided as it was cast, the division can’t be changed, although the targets receiving that damage still can. The same is true of spells that distribute counters.
2021-02-05 If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it has a bulleted list of modes), the copy will have the same mode or modes. You can’t choose different ones.
2021-02-05 If you copy a spell with targets, the copy will have the same targets unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for any of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, that target remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
2021-02-05 If you’re casting a foretold card from exile for its foretell cost, you can’t choose to cast it for any other alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the spell.
2021-02-05 The copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.
2021-02-05 You can’t choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy.

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