Domri's Ambush MTG Card


Offers card advantage by letting a creature survive combat, gaining board control without losing resources. Removes threats and blockers, enabling swifter victory by clearing the path for an unblocked attack. While not instant-speed, grants a permanent +1/+1 counter, enhancing tempo and setting advantageous battles.
Domri's Ambush - War of the Spark
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Released2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set nameWar of the Spark
Set codeWAR
Number192
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byVictor Adame Minguez

Text of card

Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control. Then that creature deals damage equal to its power to target creature or planeswalker you don't control.

"When civilization teeters on the brink, I'll be there to kick it the rest of the way."


Cards like Domri's Ambush

Domri’s Ambush stands out in MTG as a notable spell for creature-based strategies. It’s akin to cards such as Prey Upon, which also facilitates a fight between your creature and an opponent’s. However, Domri’s Ambush offers an additional benefit by placing a +1/+1 counter on your creature before the fight, unlike Prey Upon which simply instigates the battle without buffs.

Titan’s Strength shares some similarities by providing a creature with a +1/+1 boost, but it focuses more on direct combat advantages and Scry 1, rather than fighting other creatures. Then there’s Savage Smash, another card in the same vein. Like Domri’s Ambush, Savage Smash powers up your creature before it fights another. Yet it’s limited to creatures you control that have power 4 or greater, providing a narrower range of targets compared to the flexibility of Domri’s Ambush.

In summary, players looking for versatile options in creature combat within MTG might find Domri’s Ambush to be an exceptional choice. Its combination of power augmentation and direct removal capacity positions it as a highly useful spell in creature-centric decks.

Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions
Savage Smash - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions
Savage Smash - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Domri's Ambush by color, type and mana cost

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Savage Offensive - MTG Card versions
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Clan Defiance - MTG Card versions
Reap the Past - MTG Card versions
Unnatural Moonrise - MTG Card versions
Perilous Iteration - MTG Card versions
Picnic Ruiner // Stolen Goodies - MTG Card versions
Worldsoul's Rage - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Domri's Ambush. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League
Gruul MidrangeGruul Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 06 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Domri’s Ambush doesn’t allow you to draw cards directly, it provides a sort of card advantage by enabling a creature to take down an opponent’s threat without trading. This one-for-one removal can often leave you ahead in the board state, preserving your resources while diminishing an opponent’s.

Resource Acceleration: Domri’s Ambush acts as a form of acceleration by removing a blocker or a threat, allowing your creatures to attack unimpeded. It can help turn the tide of the game faster in your favor by ensuring your creatures can continue to press the attack without hindrance, effectively accelerating your path to victory.

Instant Speed: While Domri’s Ambush is a sorcery, it compensates through its ability to bolster one of your creatures with a +1/+1 counter. Even though it’s not at instant speed, the impact on the game’s tempo can mirror that of an instant, letting you set up advantageous attacks or strategic creature removal on your terms during your main phase.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Domri’s Ambush requires a precise combination of red and green mana to cast. For players not running a Gruul deck or one that can easily accommodate both colors, this could pose a significant limitation in game strategy and deck building flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not overly expensive, its two-mana cost for the effect it provides might be seen as steep compared to other removal options available in those colors. Certain decks may opt for spells that offer similar effects with either a lower mana cost or additional benefits.

Discard Requirement: Although Domri’s Ambush doesn’t directly require discarding a card, its function as a one-time use spell means it’s a card less in hand post-use. This disadvantage is especially felt in formats where maintaining card advantage is crucial for outpacing opponents.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Domri’s Ambush serves as a multi-purpose tool in your arsenal, capable of removing threats while simultaneously growing your creatures. This card easily slots into Gruul decks as well as any red or green archetype looking to apply pressure and control the board.

Combo Potential: The +1/+1 counter synergizes well with creatures that benefit from counters or have evolve mechanics. It can also trigger abilities that activate whenever a creature you control becomes the target of a spell, setting up impactful combos or game-winning interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With a metagame that often showcases a variety of planeswalkers and creatures, Domri’s Ambush provides a cost-efficient answer to many threats. Its ability to disrupt opponents while advancing your game plan makes it a relevant choice in numerous matches.


How to beat

Domri’s Ambush is a potent card in Magic: The Gathering, enabling a creature you control to deal damage to another target creature or planeswalker equal to its power. This action not only bolsters your battlefield presence but can also disrupt your opponent’s strategy, especially if they rely on key creatures or planeswalkers. Nonetheless, overcoming this card requires strategic planning.

To mitigate the impact of Domri’s Ambush, prioritize maintaining a line of creatures with high toughness. Such creatures can endure the hit and diminish the efficiency of the damage swap. Additionally, instant-speed removal spells can neutralize the creature targeted by Domri’s Ambush before it can unleash its attack, essentially rendering the spell useless. In a deck with countermeasures, including counterspells or hexproof-providing cards, prevents the Ambush from ever taking place, preserving your board state intact.

The key to outmaneuvering Domri’s Ambush lies in anticipating its use and adjusting your playstyle to either avoid its targets or to invalidate it preemptively. By doing so, you shift the power balance back to your favor, keeping your pivotal pieces safe from this red and green ambush tactic.


BurnMana Recommendations

Domri’s Ambush presents itself as a dynamic addition to MTG decks that favor proactive board control and creature synergy. Its ability to enhance your creature while removing an opponent’s key piece elegantly blends offense with defense. In a metagame filled with creatures and planeswalkers, carefully considering cards like Domri’s Ambush can be crucial for those seeking to refine their strategy and achieve a robust deck composition. Embrace the adaptability and combative edge this card offers. For more insights and tips on optimizing your deck and battling strategies, dive into the wealth of knowledge we have lined up for MTG enthusiasts like you. Level up your gameplay with us and discover how to claim victory with astute card choices.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Domri's Ambush MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Domri's Ambush and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Domri's Ambush has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-05-03 If either target is an illegal target as Domri’s Ambush tries to resolve, the creature you control won’t deal damage.
2019-05-03 If the creature you control is an illegal target as Domri’s Ambush tries to resolve, you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on it. If that creature is a legal target but the other target isn’t, you’ll still put the counter on the creature you control.
2019-05-03 You can’t cast Domri’s Ambush unless you choose both a creature you control and a creature or planeswalker you don’t control as targets.