Pointed Discussion

Can be funny to have instant first strike.
Especially with some kind of deathtoucher.

Still, this isn't very useful.

Some how this is a rare maybe if all creatures you control got first strike for a turn it would be kinda useful.

The art really captures the lightning and the blow.

I would kill to know why this was a rare.

Can't say about the rarity but as a combat move this is superb. The card back is just the icing on the cake. Great card.

P.S. The flavour text says it.

Lol - this is on the no reprint list: http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=magic/products/reprintpolicy

Wouldn't want to print something this powerful again - its got too much value to collectors

Someone needs to link Guided Strike

I really wonder what possessed the Ice Age designers to make this a rare...

The great grand-daddy of white instant first strike/power pump pump spells (unless you count Rapid Fire, which I do not). It seems like the Ice Age developers overvalued how powerful this effect could be, and made it rare. These spells can be useful in limited environments, where seemingly even trades or even chump blocks can instead turn to your advantage. The fact that this one replaces itself with a slow cantrip makes it even better, though Guided Strike is strictly better if you prefer your card drawing instant.

To date, here are all mono-white variants of it:

Aerial Maneuver: , Gets +1/+1, flying and first strike until end of turn.
Guided Strike: , Gets +1/+0 and first strike until end of turn, draw a card (no delay).
Hundred-Talon Strike: , Gets +1/+0 and first strike until end of turn. Can be spliced to Arcane by tapping an untapped white creature you control.
Seize the Initiative: , Gets +1/+1 and first strike until end of turn.
Skillful Lunge: , Gets +2/+0 and first strike until end of turn.
Swift Justice: , Gets +1/+0, first strike and lifelink until end of turn.
Zealous Strike: , Gets +2/+2 and first strike until end of turn.