Quick Answer

Subtle Strike is a common Instant from J25 (J25) costing {1}{B}. Current price: $0.07 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Subtle Strike MTG card

Subtle Strike

Instant

Card Text

Choose one or both — • Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. • Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.

Silence is an underrated hunting strategy.

Card Stats

common CMC: 2.0 J25 J25 🎨 Brian Valeza

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.07
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.13
Normal
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Brawl Legal
Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Gladiator Legal
Historic Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Penny Legal
Pioneer Legal
Timeless Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (5 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Subtle Strike? Basics

Subtle Strike is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Choose one or both — • Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. • Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature."

How much mana does Subtle Strike cost to cast? Basics

Subtle Strike has a mana cost of {1}{B}, which equals 2.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires B mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Subtle Strike's mana cost of {1}{B} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Subtle Strike has a mana value of 2.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Subtle Strike's current oracle text is: "Choose one or both — • Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. • Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature."

What is the current price of Subtle Strike? Pricing

The current market price for Subtle Strike is approximately $0.07 USD on TCGPlayer.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.13 EUR.

Where can I buy Subtle Strike? Pricing

You can purchase Subtle Strike from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Is Subtle Strike legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Subtle Strike in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Subtle Strike legal in Modern? Legality

Subtle Strike is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Subtle Strike legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Subtle Strike is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Subtle Strike legal in Pioneer? Legality

Subtle Strike is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Subtle Strike legal in Legacy? Legality

Subtle Strike is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Subtle Strike legal in Vintage? Legality

Subtle Strike is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Subtle Strike legal in Pauper? Legality

Subtle Strike is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Subtle Strike from? Details

This printing of Subtle Strike is from J25 (J25), with collector number 491.

Subtle Strike may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Subtle Strike's rarity? Details

Subtle Strike is a common card in J25.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Subtle Strike? Details

Subtle Strike was illustrated by Brian Valeza.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

💬 Card Discussion

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