Sudden ImpactHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Sudden Impact is a targeted burn spell that scales based on the size of a player's hand. When it resolves, it checks how many cards the target player is currently holding and deals that much damage to them. Because it is an instant, it can be played at almost any time, including during an opponent's draw step or in response to them trying to cast other spells.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast the spell and choose a target player. As the spell resolves, the game counts the number of cards in the targeted player's hand at that specific moment. The spell then deals damage equal to that count. Note that Sudden Impact is now on the stack, not in your hand, so it does not count itself if you were to somehow target yourself. Once the damage is dealt, the spell is put into the graveyard.

Common Mistakes

The most common error is miscalculating the damage by not accounting for spells cast in response. If you target a player with seven cards, and they cast two instants in response, Sudden Impact will only deal five damage when it finally resolves. Additionally, remember that the damage is dealt only upon resolution; if the target becomes illegal (such as gaining Hexproof), the entire spell fails and deals no damage.

When to Play It

Timing is crucial for maximizing damage. The best time to cast Sudden Impact is often during the opponent's end step when their hand size is at its maximum, or right after they have resolved a major draw spell. In multiplayer formats, it is a great tool for punishing the player who has become the greatest threat by hoarding resources.

Interaction examples

Punishing a Full Hand

If your opponent has 7 cards in hand and you cast Sudden Impact targeting them, the spell will resolve and deal 7 damage to that player, provided they do not cast any cards or lose cards from their hand before resolution.

Deflecting the Blow

Deflecting Swat

If you cast Sudden Impact targeting your opponent, they can respond by casting Deflecting Swat. They can choose to change the target of Sudden Impact to you. When Sudden Impact resolves, it will check the number of cards in your hand and deal that much damage to you instead.

Interaction with Library Shuffling

Chaos Warp

If an opponent casts Chaos Warp on one of your permanents, you shuffle it into your library. If you then cast Sudden Impact in response to a later action, the card count in hand remains the priority. Chaos Warp changing the board state or library composition does not inherently change the hand size unless the permanent moved was returned to the hand.