Strictly better

Strictly better describes a card which is, in isolation from other effects, superior to another card in at least one respect, while being worse in zero respects. Cards are commonly found to be strictly better than others by virtue of lower cost, larger effect, instant speed, greater power or toughness, or more versatile or added effects.

"Strictly better" status is not dependent on creature type or color. More generally, such comparisons between cards are made independent of any particular board state. Therefore, because of the sheer number of possible gameplay circumstances, for any given "strictly better" card, there is typically some imaginable set of circumstances in which it is, in fact, inferior to another card that would otherwise rank below it. This fact implies that a "strictly better" card might be more accurately termed "typically better", and that distinction sometimes confuses newer players. However, "strictly better" is well understood among experienced Magic players, and is the prevailing description of such a relationship between cards.

For example, Lightning Bolt is strictly better than Shock. Both are instants, both cost , and both can target either a creature or a player, but Lightning Bolt deals 3 damage, whereas Shock deals only 2 damage.

Many pairs of cards are not directly comparable, and thus cannot be termed strictly better or worse. For example, Reprisal and Vanquish the Foul have similar effects, but the latter half of each effect cannot be compared to the other card. Despite Reprisal's lower cost and faster speed, it cannot be termed strictly better than Vanquish the Foul. However, Reprisal is strictly better than Smite the Monstrous, because it has a lower cost and prevents regeneration, while being worse in no respect.

The printing of a new strictly better card may make comparable cards obsolete, and this process, left unchecked, leads to power creep. Occasionally, this may occur with directly comparable cards printed in the same set, such as Glory Seeker and Knight of Cliffhaven in Rise of the Eldrazi.

Examples

More powerful at same cost

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

• Alloy Myr is strictly better than Opaline Unicorn because it has greater power.
• Armored Griffin is strictly better than Abbey Griffin because it has greater toughness.
• Ashcoat Bear is strictly better than Grizzly Bears (and its functional reprints) because it also has flash.
• Deviant Glee is strictly better than Unholy Strength as it also can grant activateable trample.
• Elite Vanguard is strictly better than Eager Cadet because it has a greater power.
• Ethereal Armor is strictly better than Lance because it also grants a minimum of +1/+1.
• Giant Crab is strictly better than Homarid Warrior as it doesn't tap to use its ability.
• Hovermyr is strictly better than Omega Myr because it has the added ability of flying and vigilance.
• Makindi Griffin is strictly better than Spotted Griffin because it has greater toughness.
• Sejiri Refuge is strictly better than Coastal Tower because it gains life.
• Sporecap Spider is strictly better than Rib Cage Spider because it has greater toughness.
• Wall of Vines is strictly better than Wall of Wood because it also has reach.
• Yavimaya Wurm is strictly better than Craw Wurm because it has trample.
• Lagonna-Band Trailblazer is strictly better than Yoked Ox because it has an added "Heroic" ability.
• Dead Weight is strictly better than Weakness because of the additional -1 toughness in the former over the latter.

More flexibility at same cost

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

• Coordinated Assault is strictly better than Kindled Fury, because it can target an additional creature.
• Fury Charm is strictly better than Shatter, because it has two other selectable modes.
• Jungle Shrine is strictly better than Shivan Oasis, because it can provide an additional color of mana.
• Negate is strictly better than Flash Counter, because it can counter additional types of spells.

Same effect but cost less

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

• Control Magic is strictly better than Mind Control.
• Dead Weight is strictly better than Enfeeblement, Debilitating Injury, and Weakness.
• Elvish Archers is strictly better than Hornet Cobra.
• Goblin Tunneler is strictly better than Dwarven Nomad.
• Lightning Bolt is strictly better than Shard Volley.

Instant instead of sorcery

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

• Boil is strictly better than Boiling Seas.
• Howl from Beyond is strictly better than Bloodcurdling Scream.
• Inner Struggle is strictly better than Wrack with Madness.

Multiple upgrades

Some cards may be strictly better in multiple respects, but are only strictly better overall if they have no attributes inferior to the card they are compared with.

• Back to Nature is strictly better than Tranquility because the former costs less and is an instant instead of a sorcery.
• Vulshok Battlegear is strictly better than Warlord's Axe because the former costs less to equip and gives a larger toughness bonus.
• Nova Cleric is strictly better than Squire because the former costs less and has an additional ability.
• Flametongue Kavu is strictly better than Goblin Commando because the latter has less power, costs more, and does less damage when it enters the battlefield.
• Whitesun's Passage is strictly better than Sacred Nectar because the former gains more life and is an instant instead of a sorcery.
• Reprisal is strictly better than Smite the Monstrous because the former prevents regeneration and has a lower mana cost.
• Dragon Mantle is strictly better than Firebreathing because it also draws you a card.