Strictly better: Difference between revisions

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*<c>Whitesun's Passage</c> is strictly better than <c>Sacred Nectar</c> because the former gains more life and is an instant instead of a sorcery.
*<c>Whitesun's Passage</c> is strictly better than <c>Sacred Nectar</c> because the former gains more life and is an instant instead of a sorcery.
*<c>Reprisal</c> is strictly better than <c>Smite the Monstrous</c> because the former prevents regeneration and has a lower mana cost.
*<c>Reprisal</c> is strictly better than <c>Smite the Monstrous</c> because the former prevents regeneration and has a lower mana cost.
*<c>Dragon Mantle</c> is strictly better than <c>Firebreathing</c> because it also draws you a card.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:35, 20 May 2015

Strictly better is a term used to compare cards that are identical in most regards, and in each way they are different the same one is more favorable.[1] Strictly better does not care about creature type.[2] For example, Lightning Bolt is strictly better than Shock. Both are instants that cost {R} and deal damage to a creature or player, but Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage where shock deals 2 damage. The opposite of strictly better is called strictly worse, as in "Shock is strictly worse than Lightning Bolt."

The convention is well understood among experienced Magic players. However, those new to the terminology may complain that a strictly better card is not better in all situations than a strictly worse card.[3][4] For example, Shock is a better card to draw than Lightning Bolt if the opponent controls a Booby Trap naming Lightning Bolt. Such examples are not a failure of the terminology; it compares only the attributes of the cards regardless of obscure situations that may arise in play.

Cards are constantly being obsoleted by strictly better versions (sometimes even in the same set, such as Glory Seeker and Knight of Cliffhaven). This may lead to power creep. Examples of strict comparisons include:

More powerful at same cost

The following cards have the same cost but one has an added ability or greater size.

More flexibility at same cost

The following cards have the same effect, but one is more restricted in its use.

Same effect but cost less

The following cards have the same effect but one has a greater cost.

Instant instead of sorcery

The following are cards that have the same effect and cost but are instants instead of sorceries.

Multiple upgrades

Some cards can be compared strictly in more than one way. If one card is better than another in every way that they're different, then the comparison is strict.

References

  1. Mark Rosewater (March 31, 2003). "This Land is My Land". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (July 20, 2014). "". Tumblr.
  3. Mike Flores (March 03, 2014). "Strictly Superior". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Mike Flores (March 10, 2014). "Redundancy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.