Pounce MTG Card


Utilize Pounce for creature-based card advantage; remove opponents’ threats efficiently. Pounce’s instant speed offers tactical flexibility and board control. In creature-dense metagames, Pounce is a low-cost, high-impact card choice.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Fight

Text of card

Target creature you control fights target creature you don't control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)

The drive to hunt and feed is raw instinct for dinosaurs. The trick is simply to channel it in the right direction.


Cards like Pounce

Pounce is an intriguing utility card for creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering, offering a versatile instant-speed fighting mechanic. This card is often associated with Prey Upon, a renowned fight card that allows one creature to battle another as a sorcery. The key advantage of Pounce is the ability to initiate combat on an opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn, creating surprise interactions and tactical advantage.

Comparing Pounce to another card, Savage Swipe, we see a slight difference in dynamics. Savage Swipe is cheaper and provides a boost to power if the creature has power 2, but still operates at sorcery speed, which restricts its flexibility during critical moments of a match. Meanwhile, Hunt the Weak shares the fighting theme but at a higher cost and sorcery speed, though it fortifies your creature with a +1/+1 counter.

In summary, Pounce aligns itself with a niche set of instant-speed interaction cards. It emerges as a solid choice in decks that intend to maximise reactive play and surprise combat advantages, placing it as a staple in formats where creatures often dictate the pace of the game.

Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Savage Swipe - MTG Card versions
Hunt the Weak - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Savage Swipe - MTG Card versions
Hunt the Weak - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pounce by color, type and mana cost

Tranquil Domain - MTG Card versions
Resuscitate - MTG Card versions
Heavy Fog - MTG Card versions
Aggressive Urge - MTG Card versions
Tangle - MTG Card versions
Krosan Reclamation - MTG Card versions
Seedtime - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Abundance - MTG Card versions
Nourish - MTG Card versions
Wear Away - MTG Card versions
Vital Surge - MTG Card versions
Predator's Strike - MTG Card versions
Might of the Nephilim - MTG Card versions
Resize - MTG Card versions
Squall Line - MTG Card versions
Spring Cleaning - MTG Card versions
Regenerate - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Strength of the Tajuru - MTG Card versions
Back to Nature - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Domain - MTG Card versions
Resuscitate - MTG Card versions
Heavy Fog - MTG Card versions
Aggressive Urge - MTG Card versions
Tangle - MTG Card versions
Krosan Reclamation - MTG Card versions
Seedtime - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Abundance - MTG Card versions
Nourish - MTG Card versions
Wear Away - MTG Card versions
Vital Surge - MTG Card versions
Predator's Strike - MTG Card versions
Might of the Nephilim - MTG Card versions
Resize - MTG Card versions
Squall Line - MTG Card versions
Spring Cleaning - MTG Card versions
Regenerate - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Strength of the Tajuru - MTG Card versions
Back to Nature - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though it may not directly draw cards, Pounce enables creature-based card advantage by allowing your creature to potentially remove an opponent’s creature from the board without using your turn, setting you up for a more favorable position.

Resource Acceleration: Pounce doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, but by keeping your key creatures on the board and removing threats, you effectively save the mana you would have spent recasting creatures from your hand, thereby indirectly accelerating your board presence.

Instant Speed: As an instant, Pounce offers the strategic advantage of acting on your opponent’s turn, keeping your mana open until it’s most advantageous to engage your creatures in a fight, possibly upsetting your opponent’s plans and preserving the element of surprise. This flexibility allows for on-the-fly decisions to adapt to the evolving board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other instant speed removal options, Pounce doesn’t require any discard, thus this typical downside is not applicable in this case.

Specific Mana Cost: Pounce has a specific mana requirement of one green and one generic mana, which means it fits primarily in decks that generate these types of mana, potentially limiting its widespread adoption.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of two to enable a creature to fight another creature, some players may find Pounce’s cost slightly steep compared to alternative removal spells or fight mechanics that may offer additional benefits or lower cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pounce is a dynamic card that finds its place in decks focusing on creature-based strategies. Due to its instant speed, it offers an opportunity for interactive play, allowing your creatures to act as removal tools without waiting for your turn.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with creatures that have ‘when this creature deals damage’ or ‘when this creature dies’ effects. This interplay can create powerful interactions and advantageous board states, turning a simple combat trick into a game-changing move.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames rich with creature combat, Pounce acts as an effective and unexpected way to remove key threats. Its low mana cost makes it a relevant choice even when up against fast-paced aggressive decks that value tempo.


How to beat

Pounce is an intriguing instant in Magic: The Gathering that allows one of your creatures to fight another target creature an opponent controls. Understanding the nuances of timing and creature abilities is essential when facing off against this spell. The key to countering Pounce lies in its dependency on creatures being on the battlefield. Swift removal, sacrificing your creature for an effect, or simply bouncing the targeted creature back to your hand can render Pounce useless. Moreover, indestructible creatures or those with protection from the color of the creature attempting to Pounce can naturally nullify the effect.

Strategically, it’s beneficial to hold onto instant-speed removal or protective spells when you suspect your opponent is holding a Pounce. Waiting to play creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects until after Pounce has been baited out can also be a shrewd move. Lastly, deploying creatures with death-touch can make Pounce a risky play for your opponent, as they might lose their creature in the process. By staying alert and flexible, you can effectively diminish the impact of Pounce in your matches.

Navigating the dynamic battlefield of MTG requires keen awareness and a well-timed response, especially against threat-specific cards like Pounce. With a mindful approach, you can leverage your deck’s strengths to overcome the challenges posed by this predatory spell.


BurnMana Recommendations

Taking the leap from casual play to competitive MTG arenas means refining your strategies with cards like Pounce. This instant brings more than just a simple creature fight; it opens doors to strategic creature combat and crafty board state manipulation. Perfect for green-centric decks seeking responsive play, Pounce can turn the tide of battle in an instant. Are you eager to optimize your gameplay and construct a deck that thrives on tactical creature engagements? Enhance your collection and surprise your opponents with the clever use of Pounce. Find out how to best leverage this card and others like it, maximize your deck’s potential, and dominate your next MTG challenge with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pounce MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Pounce and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pounce Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Lucas Graciano.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 2002015NormalBlackLucas Graciano
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 7072015NormalBlackLucas Graciano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pounce has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-09-29 If either or both targets are illegal when Pounce tries to resolve, no creature will deal or be dealt damage.