Silverstrike MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2016-04-08
Set symbol
Set name	Shadows over Innistrad
Set code	SOI
Number	37
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Lius Lasahido

Key Takeaways

Silverstrike scores with card advantage by removing creatures and offering an extra draw, pivotal for game control.
Its instant speed introduces strategic depth, allowing players to respond aptly to threats during combat situations.
Drawbacks include a specific mana cost and discard requirement, which might challenge deck building and strategic planning.

Text of card

Destroy target attacking creature. You gain 3 life.

"Shield yourself with faith. Arm yourself with silver." —Slayer Kastinne

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Silverstrike provides a critical swing in card economy by not only removing a creature but also allowing you to draw a card. In the realm of card games, each additional card drawn puts you that much closer to the answers and threats you need to control the game and outpace your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: By utilizing Silverstrike, you capitalize on your resources efficiently. It aligns well with strategies that aim to outvalue opponents by progressing your board state while hindering theirs. The ability to clear a path for your creatures without losing pace in your mana development can be pivotal in seizing the tempo of the match.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of Silverstrike being cast at instant speed cannot be overstated. This trait allows savvy players to manage their mana effectively, keeping the opponent guessing. With Silverstrike, you are always ready to respond to threats as they arise, ensuring that your strategy unfolds uninterrupted. A well-timed Silverstrike can shift the momentum in your favor, whether it’s disrupting an attacker or thwarting an opponent’s combat tricks.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of Silverstrike is that it mandates a card to be discarded from your hand to unlock its full potential. This can be a hurdle when your hand is already dwindling, forcing difficult decisions that could affect the late-game performance.

Specific Mana Cost: Silverstrike is bound by a stringent mana requirement, needing both white and colorless mana. This restriction not only narrows deck diversity but also demands a tailored mana base, which can be cumbersome for players who wish to incorporate it in a multi-color deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep casting cost when weighed against its effect, players might find themselves pondering whether their mana could be more effectively allocated. In a game where efficiency can dictate victory, Silverstrike faces competition from a suite of more cost-effective removal options.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Silverstrike is a dynamic addition to any deck that seeks to bolster its defensive strategies, especially for those that thrive on instant-speed interaction. It’s capable of shifting the tide of battle by removing key attacking creatures.

Combo Potential: As a spell with impactful creature removal, it can seamlessly integrate with decks that look to capitalize on death triggers or graveyard synergies, opening up avenues for various strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggressive decks are prevalent, Silverstrike gains elevated importance, providing a means to level the playing field against such strategies with its instant-speed creature control.

How to beat

Silverstrike is a unique card in MTG that stands out as a robust removal option within your deck. Its ability to destroy an attacking creature and gain life equal to that creature’s strength can shift game dynamics significantly. The pivotal aspect of the card is its timing; it must be played during the combat phase, which requires precision and strategy.

To effectively counter Silverstrike, players should consider baiting out the card before committing their most crucial creatures to the attack. Alternative strategies include employing creatures with indestructible or hexproof abilities, which are immune to Silverstrike’s effects. Another tactic is to use counter spells that can nullify Silverstrike upon cast or cards that grant your creature protection from white until end of turn. Furthermore, incorporating cards that allow you to cast creatures at instant speed post-combat phase will ensure your key creatures avoid being targeted by Silverstrike.

Ultimately, understanding and predicting your opponent’s actions is the crux to overpowering Silverstrike. By playing around the card’s restrictions and employing strategic creature plays, one can diminish the impact Silverstrike has on the game. By mastering these approaches, players can maneuver around this powerful MTG defense and maintain the upper hand in battle.

Cards like Silverstrike

Within the vast array of card options in MTG, Silverstrike is a noteworthy instant for any player’s defense strategy. It stands in relation to cards like Mortal’s Ardor, which grants a creature lifelink and a slight power boost until end of turn. Silverstrike, however, not only destroys an attacking creature but also offers the lifelink benefit without the power increase. This direct removal aspect distinguishes it from Mortal’s Ardor’s temporary effect.

Comparably, there’s Immolating Glare, an instant with an identical mana cost that also destroys an attacking creature but doesn’t provide the lifelink advantage that Silverstrike offers. This makes Silverstrike a superior choice for both creature control and as a source of potential life gain. Divine Verdict is another instant sharing the battlefield advantage by destroying an attacking or blocking creature, but with a higher mana cost and without the lifelink, giving Silverstrike an edge in cost-efficiency and added benefits.

To sum up, Silverstrike positions itself as a powerful card in the realm of creature control with its immediate impact and the bonus lifelink. These factors contribute to its strategic allure, making it a compelling choice amongst MTG’s instants geared towards thwarting opponents’ attacks.

Cards similar to Silverstrike by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Silverstrike MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Silverstrike and other MTG cards: