Headlong Rush MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	1998-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Saga
Set code	USG
Number	198
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dermot Power

Key Takeaways

Offers a strategic combat advantage by enhancing the power of multiple creatures instantaneously.
Demands both a specific mana cost and a card discard, potentially restricting use.
Acts as a meta-relevant card, bolstering aggressive strategies in the current game climate.

Text of card

All attacking creatures gain first strike until end of turn.

A landslide of goblins poured toward the defenders—tumbling, rolling, and bouncing their way down the steep hillside.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pillar in any strategy, having more options than your opponent often leads to victory. Headlong Rush can provide a tactical edge by enabling potent combinations that can swing the game in your favor, often by amplifying the abilities of multiple creatures at a critical moment.

Resource Acceleration: In the vibrant world of MTG, speed can be as lethal as the deadliest creature. A card like Headlong Rush does not directly offer traditional resource acceleration; instead, it can represent a different kind of acceleration—tempo. By maximizing your offensive potential in a single turn, you propel your strategy forward, compressing your timetable for victory.

Instant Speed: Flexibility in Magic cannot be overstated. The ability to cast Headlong Rush at instant speed gives you the precious power of surprise, disrupting your opponent’s calculations. This can allow you to wait until the most opportune moment during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, transforming the battlefield dynamics instantaneously.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the noticeable drawbacks of Headlong Rush is the requirement to discard a card to activate its ability. This may strain your hand, particularly in the late game when maintaining card advantage can be critical for victory.

Specific Mana Cost: Headlong Rush designates a rigid mana cost, demanding exclusively red to cast. This can be restrictive for multi-color decks and finds itself at a disadvantage in formats where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of three mana for a temporary boost, players must evaluate if the immediate benefit is worth the cost. In some cases, more impactful plays might be available that offer lasting effects or greater advantage for the same mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Headlong Rush can seamlessly adapt to a variety of aggressive strategies, bolstering attacks and catching opponents off-guard by breaking the usual turn structure.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that thrive on surprise combat tricks, multiplying its impact when combined with creatures boasting tap or attack-triggered abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a game climate that heavily favors aggro decks, Headlong Rush can be a crucial addition, tipping the scales during a pivotal combat phase to secure victory.

How to Beat Headlong Rush

Headlong Rush is a unique combat trick in the Magic: The Gathering toolbox, creating scenarios where blocking becomes favorable for the aggressor. Typically, cards like these can turn the tides by nullifying the defenders’ combat abilities. To navigate around Headlong Rush, consider retaining open mana for instant-speed removal or counter spells. This allows players to respond to Headlong Rush by removing the attacking creature or negating the spell, effectively wasting the opponent’s resources.

Another strategy is to avoid overextending on the board, as a surprising Headlong Rush can lead to disastrous results. Instead, playing conservatively with a focus on building a board presence that can withstand such tricks can mitigate the damage done. Furthermore, players can make use of creatures with first strike or creatures that can survive the initial onslaught to ensure the battlefield remains in their favor, despite the attempt to overwhelm with Headlong Rush.

It is also crucial to predict when an opponent might have this card in hand. Being familiar with the typical decks that include Headlong Rush and recognizing the moment when a combat scenario appears too favorable can be a sign to prepare for this card’s effect. By carefully considering your blocks and keeping the possibility of this trick in mind, you can effectively dampen the impact of Headlong Rush.

Cards like Headlong Rush

Headlong Rush, a dynamic force in Magic: The Gathering, finds its place among combat trick spells. It can be likened to spells such as Rush of Adrenaline, which also grants a creature a sudden boost in power. Although Rush of Adrenaline only adds +2 to power and grants trample, Headlong Rush steps it up by providing +1 to power and first strike to all attacking creatures this turn. This widespread impact can dramatically alter the state of the battlefield.

Temur Battle Rage is another card that’s often considered alongside Headlong Rush due to its ability to give a creature double strike if it has 4 or more power. The difference lies in the exclusivity; Temur Battle Rage focuses on empowering a single creature, whereas Headlong Rush potentially enhances several, depending on your attacking horde. Another interesting comparison is to Accelerate, which confers haste and lets you draw a card. Different from Headlong Rush, Accelerate optimizes the utility of creatures that have just entered the battlefield and provides immediate card advantage, though it does not affect the creature’s power.

To summarize, Headlong Rush secures a unique position with its broad applicability during the combat phase, offering a way to elevate multiple creatures at once, tipping the scales in your favor during an all-out assault.

Cards similar to Headlong Rush by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Headlong Rush MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Headlong Rush and other MTG cards: