Cunning Strike

Cunning Strike was released in January 2015 as part of the Fate Reforged expansion for Magic: The Gathering. As the middle set in the Khans of Tarkir block, it was designed to explore the history of the Tarkir plane, depicting the world as it existed twelve centuries prior to the events of the previous set. The card functions as a blue and black instant, embodying the mechanics and color identity associated with the Sultai Brood, a faction defined by their survivalist pragmatism and connection to dark magic.

The card features artwork by Clint Cearley, who illustrated the piece to convey the swift, tactical nature of the spell. The visual design emphasizes the fluid, deceptive movement characteristic of Sultai mages, aligning with the card's function of dealing damage while providing card advantage. Upon its release, it was noted by players as a flexible utility card, frequently used in Limited formats to manage board presence while simultaneously cycling through a deck for additional resources.