# 2023 Magic: The Gathering The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth #542

> Isildur's Fateful Strike (#542) is a rare foil legendary instant from Magic: The Gathering's 2023 The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth expansion, featuring a powerful board-clearing effect.

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## Identity

- **Year**: 2023
- **Manufacturer brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set / series**: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth
- **Card number**: #542
- **Product type**: TCG_CARD

## Description

Isildur's Fateful Strike, card number 542 in the 2023 Magic: The Gathering expansion The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, stands as a striking example of black mana efficiency. This rare foil legendary instant captures the dramatic moment from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore, where Isildur severs the One Ring from Sauron. The card’s design and treatment make it a desirable addition for collectors who appreciate the intersection of fantasy narrative and strategic gameplay within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Mechanically, Isildur's Fateful Strike offers a potent two-for-one interaction. It requires a mana cost of two generic and two black mana to cast. The card carries the legendary supertype, meaning it can only be cast if you already control a legendary creature or planeswalker, adding a layer of deck-building strategy. Its primary effect is straightforward yet devastating: it destroys a target creature. However, the true power lies in its secondary effect. If the creature’s controller holds more than four cards in hand, they must exile cards equal to the difference between their hand size and four. This ability can drastically reduce an opponent's resources, making it a formidable tool in competitive matches. For collectors, the foil finish adds significant visual appeal, reflecting light and enhancing the card’s presence in any binder or display. The card is illustrated by John Di Giovanni, whose artwork complements the dark and epic tone of the Middle-earth setting. Whether you are building a thematic deck centered around legendary permanents or simply seeking to complete the Tales of Middle-earth set, this card represents a key piece of the expansion. Its unique combination of legendary constraint and hand-disruption effects ensures it remains relevant for players who enjoy controlling the board state while managing their opponent’s resources.

## FAQ

### What is the mana cost of Isildur's Fateful Strike?

The mana cost for Isildur's Fateful Strike is two generic mana and two black mana, totaling a mana value of four.

### How does the legendary supertype affect this card?

Because Isildur's Fateful Strike is a legendary instant, you can only cast it if you control a legendary creature or planeswalker.

### What does Isildur's Fateful Strike do in gameplay?

It destroys a target creature. If the creature's controller has more than four cards in hand, they must exile cards equal to the difference.

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Last verified: 2025-11-29.