Mirror Strike MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Number	17
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dave Dorman

Key Takeaways

Mirror Strike offers card advantage, turning opponents’ attacks into unexpected benefits for the player.
Being an instant, it provides flexibility and surprise, disrupting the opponent’s combat strategy efficiently.
However, its specific mana cost and situational nature may limit its utility in various deck types.

Text of card

Target unblocked creature deals combat damage to its controller instead of to you this turn.

"Enemies can be your weapons or your shields. Simply show them which they are." —*The Teachings of Zho*

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mirror Strike can flip the outcome of combat, leaving you unscathed while your opponent takes the damage they hoped to deal to you. This results in maintaining your board state while potentially weakening your opponent’s, effectively swinging the card balance in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly adding to your mana pool, the strategic use of Mirror Strike can conserve resources you might otherwise spend on creature removal or damage prevention. It can be thought of as an unexpected form of acceleration by maintaining your existing board without further investment.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Mirror Strike at instant speed provides considerable flexibility. It allows you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn, potentially causing them to lose creatures they didn’t anticipate losing when declaring attackers, which can unexpectedly turn the tide of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One limitation of Mirror Strike is that it doesn’t require a discard, but it does necessitate a certain board state to be effective, meaning if you’re behind in creatures or board presence, it may sit idly in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Mirror Strike has a specific mana cost that includes white mana (two white, two colorless), which might not seamlessly fit into multicolored or non-white-centric decks, potentially limiting its inclusion only to those strategies that can reliably produce the necessary mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana for a situational combat trick, the card may not always provide the desired impact. Additionally, other cards at this cost could advance your board state or provide more consistent value.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mirror Strike adapts easily to various playstyles, offering both a defensive and offensive edge. It can turn the tides during combat, making it useful in decks that prioritize strategic plays over brute force.

Combo Potential: This card can be the keystone in intricate combo setups that revolve around redirecting damage. With the right board state, Mirror Strike can be unexpectedly devastating to an opponent, particularly when paired with cards that benefit from damage prevention or redirection.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that leans on aggressive and creature-heavy decks, Mirror Strike can serve as a powerful counter. Integrating this card in your collection ensures readiness for a shifting competitive landscape where surprise retaliation can be your ace in the hole.

How to beat Mirror Strike

Mirror Strike is an intriguing card, posing a unique challenge during Magic: The Gathering matches. It has the tactical ability to turn an opponent’s attack into a sudden reversal, reflecting damage back at the attacker or another of their creatures. To overcome Mirror Strike’s surprising defense, the key lies in strategic anticipation and board state control.

Initiating attacks with caution when an opponent has untapped mana and cards in hand could save your creatures from being ensnared by this deceptive card. Utilizing instant-speed removals or counterspells to disrupt the play sequence can prevent Mirror Strike from turning the tides. Alternatively, playing cards that grant your creatures hexproof or indestructible can negate the impact of Mirror Strike, ensuring your offensive remains steadfast.

Above all, awareness of the battlefield and understanding the potential for combat tricks in your opponent’s deck composition can be the difference between losing a crucial creature and maintaining the upper hand. Therefore, thoughtful play, alongside precise timing and resource management, forms the cornerstone of besting the reactive nature of Mirror Strike in MTG games.

Cards like Mirror Strike

Mirror Strike is a unique combat trick in MTG that has the power to turn the tide of battles. It shares some similarities with the card Reversal of Fortune, as both cards can create unexpected shifts during the combat phase. However, Mirror Strike has the distinct ability to reflect combat damage back to the attacker, potentially removing a key threat from the opposing side. Reversal of Fortune does not have this damage component, focusing instead on card advantage.

In terms of preventing damage, we have Comeuppance, which also prevents damage from a source and deals that much damage back to creatures or players. Yet, Mirror Strike’s specificity to combat damage gives it a narrower but more predictable outcome. Then there’s Reflect Damage which is very akin to Mirror Strike in function and cost, but what sets Mirror Strike apart is its white color identity, while Reflect Damage taps into the blue color pie, influencing deck-building strategies.

Overall, Mirror Strike is an intriguing card for those building white defensive strategies in MTG. Its ability to not only prevent damage but also use an opponent’s attack against them, gives it a unique stand in white’s combat manipulation arsenal.

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

Where to buy

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