Alpha strike
| Alpha strike | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Triggered |
| Introduced | Unfinity |
| Last used | Unfinity |
| Reminder Text | Alpha strike (This creature has first strike as long as it's blocking or being blocked by a creature that comes after it alphabetically.) |
| Statistics |
2 cards  50%  50% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| keyword:"Alpha strike" | |
Alpha strike is a acorn keyword ability introduced in Unfinity on two cards.[1]
Description
Alpha strike grants the creature first strike if it is alphabetically ahead of at least one of the creature(s) it is blocking or being blocked by.
Slang term
An alpha strike refers to an all-out attack, in which a player (more often than not, who believes that he or she will win from that attack) aims to deal a lethal amount of damage to the opponent. Since this leaves the attacker defenseless, it is generally used when the attacking player is positive that their attack will result in a win. Such attacks are often accompanied by spells or abilities (such as Overrun, Garruk Wildspeaker, or Relentless Assault) that will create a nearly hopeless situation for the opponent.
The term comes from the computer game MechWarrior, where it describes the firing of all of the player's weapons simultaneously.
Examples
Example
Jetpack Janitor 
Creature — Human Employee
3/2
Alpha strike (This creature has first strike as long as its blocking or being blocked by a creature that comes after it alphabetically.)
Cards that grant alpha strike
Sorcery
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 26, 2022). "Making Space, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
