Guided Strike

Guided Strike first appeared in the Magic: The Gathering expansion set Iconic Masters, released in 2017. As a common-rarity instant, it was designed to function as a versatile combat trick, granting a creature both first strike and +1/+0, while simultaneously replacing itself by allowing the player to draw a card. This combination of offensive power and card advantage made it a highly practical tool for Limited formats, where maintaining tempo while mitigating card disadvantage is a key strategic priority.

The card features an illustration by Dan Dos Santos, who utilized a dynamic and heroic visual style to capture the essence of a sudden, precise attack. His design focuses on the kinetic energy of a celestial-themed combat strike, aligning with the aesthetic identity of the set. Upon its release, the card was well-received by players for its efficiency, proving to be a reliable inclusion in White-based aggressive decks during Iconic Masters draft environments. Its later inclusion in The List—a curated selection of reprints integrated into modern Set Boosters—introduced the card to a broader audience of contemporary collectors.