Outmaneuver MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	1998-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Saga
Set code	USG
Number	205
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Staples

Key Takeaways

Outmaneuver facilitates quick, unblocked damage, effectively accelerating your win condition.
Instant speed casting gives players the edge by allowing last-minute combat adjustments.
Despite its advantages, the discard requirement and specific mana cost pose strategic concerns.

Text of card

X target blocked creatures deal combat damage to defending player instead of to blocking creatures this turn.

"Push one goblin into sight, an' run a lot. That's tactics." —Jula, goblin raider

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Outmaneuver allows for a potentially substantial shift in board presence by enabling one of your creatures to bypass blockers and ensure damage. This can tilt the scales in your favor and equates to virtual card advantage as it may force your opponent to overcommit resources to compensate for the unblocked threat.

Resource Acceleration: By effectively removing blockers, Outmaneuver can facilitate faster damage to your opponent, acting as a form of resource acceleration by hastening the game’s conclusion in your favor. The less time opponents have to develop their board state, the fewer resources they can bring to bear against you.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Outmaneuver at instant speed offers a tactical advantage, allowing you to wait until the most opportune moment during the combat phase. This strategic flexibility can catch an opponent off guard, turning what may appear to be a precarious attack into a decisive strike.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Outmaneuver requires discarding a card upon casting, which could deplete your hand, especially if you’re unable to derive immediate board advantage or if the matchup calls for retaining card options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a strict mana combination for casting, needing both red and white mana. This specific mana cost can hinder deck flexibility, particularly in multi-colored decks that might struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana might make it less appealing when considering alternatives that offer similar or better board impact for a lesser investment, possibly leaving you behind on the tempo game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Outmaneuver is a flexible card that can be a game-changer in decks that thrive on combat tricks. Its ability to unexpectedly tip the scales during combat phase makes it a strategic choice for many red-based decks.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with creatures that have on-hit effects or with spells that benefit from successful combat damage. Outmaneuver can ensure these effects trigger, enhancing your overall strategy and potentially leading to a swift victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based combat decides many games, Outmaneuver’s ability to prevent your opponent from blocking can be a crucial asset. This card slips by stalls and ground-based defensive lines, making it relevant and potent in many match-ups.

How to beat

Outmaneuver is a card that can swing the tide of battle by preventing blockers from causing damage to your creatures for a turn. This card can be tricky to face, especially when your opponent has an army of attackers at their disposal. To effectively counter this, you’ll want to maintain a mix of removal spells and versatile creature spells. Removals like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can disrupt your opponent’s plans by eliminating key threats before they have the chance to declare attackers.

It’s also wise to keep instant-speed spells ready, which can alter combat math, such as casting a surprise buff on your blockers or a sudden flash creature to absorb the undelivered damage. Moreover, since Outmaneuver targets only one turn, playing a defensive game with a long-term strategy in mind will often outlive the temporary advantage it provides. Cards that offer lifegain or repeatedly create creature tokens can also help to withstand the onslaught and keep you stable while preparing to turn the tables on your opponent.

Finally, pay close attention to the mana your opponent leaves untapped during their pre-combat phase, as it often signals Outmaneuver. Keeping this in mind, plan your blocks and spells accordingly to come out ahead after their trick has been played.

Cards like Outmaneuver

Outmaneuver in Magic: The Gathering occupies a niche within combat trick spells, sharing a family with options like Sure Strike or Run Amok. Where Outmaneuver glides ahead is its ability to render blockers irrelevant for the turn, tipping the scales during a pivotal combat phase. This is quite distinctive when compared to Sure Strike, which grants a single creature a considerable bonus to power and also first strike, enhancing its combat prowess directly.

Veering into another comparison, Run Amok similarly boosts a creature’s power and grants trample, yet it is restricted to targeting attacking creatures only. Outmaneuver’s flexibility means any number of creatures can surprise an opponent, potentially bypassing an entire defensive lineup. This can be decisive, particularly in games where the battlefield is in a deadlock.

Amplifying its value, Outmaneuver is also synergistic with strategies that benefit from unblocked attackers, such as those involving cards with “Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player” triggers. When analyzed alongside its contemporaries, Outmaneuver’s unique battlefield dynamic and strategic depth offer an intriguing choice for players crafting a red strategy with a focus on cunning combat tactics.

Cards similar to Outmaneuver by color, type and mana cost

March of Reckless Joy - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Outmaneuver 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 Outmaneuver and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Outmaneuver has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-04-01	Creatures damage the defending player or planeswalker even if the blocking creatures are no longer there at that time.
2008-04-01	If a creature is attacking a planeswalker, assigning its damage as though it weren’t blocked means the damage is assigned to the planeswalker, not to the defending player.