Skillful LungeHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Skillful Lunge is an instant that targets one creature on the battlefield. When it resolves, that creature receives a +2/+0 power boost and the first strike keyword until the end of the current turn. This combination is particularly potent because first strike allows the creature to deal its combat damage before creatures without first strike or double strike.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you cast Skillful Lunge by paying its mana cost and choosing a legal target creature. If the target is still legal when the spell attempts to resolve, the creature gains the power bonus and first strike. During the next combat damage step, your creature will deal damage in the first strike timing window. If the opposing creature survives that hit, it will then deal its damage in the regular combat damage step.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is casting this spell after the first strike damage step has already occurred. To benefit from the first strike keyword, Skillful Lunge must be cast during the Declare Attackers or Declare Blockers step. Additionally, remember that the spell only boosts power, not toughness; if your creature doesn't kill its opponent in the first strike step, it remains just as vulnerable to regular damage as before.

When to Play It

The best time to use Skillful Lunge is when your opponent expects a trade or a bounce. By granting first strike, you can preserve your creature while removing theirs. It can also be used as a 'finisher' to push an extra 2 damage through if your creature is unblocked, potentially ending the game unexpectedly.

Interaction examples

Surviving the Exile

Swords to Plowshares

If you cast Skillful Lunge on your creature and your opponent responds by casting Swords to Plowshares, the Swords to Plowshares will resolve first. Your creature is exiled, and you gain life equal to its current power. Because the target of Skillful Lunge is no longer on the battlefield, Skillful Lunge fails to resolve and is put into the graveyard with no effect.

Strategic Ramp

Path to Exile

In a desperate situation, you might cast Skillful Lunge on your creature to increase its power, then cast Path to Exile on your own creature after it deals first strike damage. This allows you to remove a blocker, deal significant damage, and then search for a basic land to accelerate your mana base for the following turn.

The Combat Surprise

Imagine your 2/2 creature is blocked by an opponent's 3/3. Before damage, you cast Skillful Lunge. Your creature becomes a 4/2 with first strike. In the first strike damage step, your creature deals 4 damage to the 3/3, destroying it. Since the 3/3 is no longer on the battlefield, it never gets to deal its 3 damage to your creature during the regular damage step.