Fatal Push Analysis Guide

TL;DR Summary

Fatal Push is a versatile and efficient instant spell that destroys target creatures with low mana values. Its Revolt ability adds a layer of complexity, allowing it to target creatures with higher mana values in certain situations. This card excels at disrupting opponents' plans by clearing the board of low-value threats.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Fatal Push is an instant spell that can be cast at any time, making it a valuable tool for responding to an opponent's moves or setting up a favorable board state. The primary ability destroys target creatures with mana value 2 or less, which is particularly effective against early-game threats like tokens, small creatures, and cheap enchantments.

The Revolt ability, triggered by a permanent leaving the battlefield under your control this turn, allows Fatal Push to target creatures with mana value 4 or less instead. This additional option enables Fatal Push to adapt to changing board states and target more substantial threats. However, it's essential to note that the Revolt ability is conditional on a specific event (a permanent leaving the battlefield) occurring earlier in the turn.

In terms of interactions, Fatal Push can complement cards like Doom Blade, Abrupt Decay, or Mystical Tutor, which provide similar functionality but with different mana costs and effects. When combined with these cards, Fatal Push offers a range of options for controlling the board and disrupting opponents' plans.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Fatal Push is particularly effective in the early game when used to clear the board of low-value threats or remove key creatures from an opponent's strategy. Its versatility allows it to be played in a variety of decks, including aggressive, midrange, and control archetypes.

In more aggressive decks, Fatal Push can serve as a key removal spell, helping to maintain tempo and apply pressure on the opponent. By clearing low-value threats, players can create an environment conducive to their own creatures and spells, making it easier to close out the game quickly.

Midrange decks often rely on Fatal Push as a secondary removal option, supplementing more expensive or situational removal spells like Doom Blade. This approach allows midrange decks to maintain flexibility while still addressing specific threats.

Control decks frequently incorporate Fatal Push as part of their arsenal, using it in conjunction with counterspells and other forms of disruption. By removing key creatures from the board, control players can create an environment that's more conducive to their own gameplan and less favorable for their opponents.

Fatal Push also interacts well with various token-generating cards, such as Grizzly Bears or Golgari Findbroker. By targeting creatures created by these cards, players can disrupt the opponent's plans and make it more difficult for them to generate additional tokens.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Fatal Push is a versatile removal spell that fits into various deck archetypes:

• Aggressive Decks: Fatal Push serves as a primary removal option, helping to clear low-value threats and maintain tempo.
• Midrange Decks: Fatal Push provides secondary removal, supplementing more expensive or situational spells like Doom Blade.
• Control Decks: Fatal Push is used in conjunction with counterspells and other forms of disruption to create a favorable board state.

When building decks around Fatal Push, consider the following factors:

• Mana curve: Fatal Push requires two mana, making it accessible for early-game plays but vulnerable to expensive removal spells.
• Card advantage: Fatal Push can provide significant card advantage by clearing threats and disrupting opponents' plans.
• Synergies: Consider pairing Fatal Push with token-generating cards or other forms of disruption to create a cohesive gameplan.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Fatal Push has been widely popular across various Magic: The Gathering formats, including:

• Standard: As part of the Izzet League block, Fatal Push has seen significant play in aggressive and midrange decks.
• Modern: Fatal Push is a staple in many removal-heavy decks, complementing more expensive spells like Doom Blade.

In terms of competitive context, Fatal Push is often regarded as an efficient and reliable removal spell that can be played at any time. Its versatility allows it to adapt to changing board states and target different threats, making it a valuable addition to various deck archetypes.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

When playing with or against Fatal Push, keep the following rules interactions in mind:

• Revolt Ability: The Revolt ability is triggered by a permanent leaving the battlefield under your control this turn. This means that the ability can be played without any additional cost.
• Targeting Creatures: Fatal Push targets creatures, but it doesn't have any specific restrictions on which creatures can be targeted.
• Mana Value: Fatal Push calculates mana value based on the creature's converted mana cost.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Fatal Push features art from Chase Stone, showcasing a macabre scene with skeletal figures. The card's flavor text, "Pain is an old friend," hints at its deadly nature.

As part of the Izzet League block, Fatal Push was introduced alongside other removal spells like Doom Blade. This set marked a significant shift in the standard format, introducing more efficient and aggressive strategies that relied on removal-heavy decks.

Key Points Summary

• Efficient Removal: Fatal Push provides efficient removal of low-value threats.
• Adaptive Ability: The Revolt ability allows Fatal Push to target higher-mana-value creatures under specific conditions.
• Versatility: Fatal Push can be played in various deck archetypes, including aggressive, midrange, and control decks.
• Interactions: Fatal Push interacts well with token-generating cards and other forms of disruption.

Conclusion

Fatal Push is a versatile and efficient removal spell that has become a staple in many Magic: The Gathering decks. Its ability to adapt to changing board states and target different threats makes it an attractive option for players seeking to disrupt opponents' plans. By understanding Fatal Push's mechanics, strategic uses, and interactions with other cards, players can make informed decisions when building their deck and navigating the gamestate.

Additional Considerations

When incorporating Fatal Push into your deck, consider its implications on your overall strategy:

• Aggression: Fatal Push can enable more aggressive playstyles by allowing you to remove key threats and apply pressure quickly.
• Control: Fatal Push can also be used in control decks to create a favorable board state and disrupt opponents' plans.
• Midrange: In midrange decks, Fatal Push provides a secondary removal option that can supplement more expensive spells like Doom Blade.

Ultimately, the versatility of Fatal Push makes it a valuable addition to any deck that relies on removal-heavy strategies. By understanding its mechanics and interactions with other cards, players can build cohesive gameplans that maximize their chances of success.

Synergies and Interactions with Other Cards

Fatal Push interacts well with various token-generating cards, such as Grizzly Bears or Golgari Findbroker. By targeting creatures created by these cards, players can disrupt the opponent's plans and make it more difficult for them to generate additional tokens.

In addition, Fatal Push can be paired with other removal spells like Doom Blade, Abrupt Decay, or Mystical Tutor to create a comprehensive removal suite. This allows players to address specific threats and maintain a favorable board state.

Card Advantage and Tempo

Fatal Push provides significant card advantage by clearing threats and disrupting opponents' plans. By removing key creatures from the board, players can create an environment conducive to their own gameplan and less favorable for their opponents.

In terms of tempo, Fatal Push allows players to apply pressure quickly and maintain a favorable board state. This enables them to close out the game more efficiently and disrupt opponents' plans before they can establish themselves.

Counterplay and Defenses

While Fatal Push is an efficient removal spell, there are several ways for opponents to defend against it:

• Cheap Creatures: Players can use cheap creatures like Goblin Piledriver or Grizzly Bears to attack Fatal Push directly.
• Removal Spells: Opponents can use removal spells like Doom Blade or Abrupt Decay to neutralize Fatal Push.
• Card Advantage: Players can use cards that provide card advantage, such as Mystical Tutor or Opt, to mitigate the impact of Fatal Push.

By understanding these counterplays and defenses, players can develop strategies to minimize the effectiveness of Fatal Push and maintain a favorable game state.