Quick Answer

Showstopping Surprise is a rare Instant from MKC (MKC) costing {3}{R}{R}. Current price: $0.19 USD. Legal in Commander.

Showstopping Surprise MTG card

Showstopping Surprise

Instant

Card Text

Choose target creature you control. Turn it face up if it's face down. Then it deals damage equal to its power to each other creature.

"I prefer gasps and screams to polite applause." —Judith

Card Stats

rare CMC: 5.0 MKC MKC 🎨 David Palumbo

What kind of card is this?

Use these role hubs to find similar staples, upgrades, and answers.

Roles are still being computed for this card.

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.19
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.69
Normal
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-16

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (2 total)

Community Stats

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Showstopping Surprise? Basics

Showstopping Surprise is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Choose target creature you control. Turn it face up if it's face down. Then it deals damage equal to its power to each other creature."

How much mana does Showstopping Surprise cost to cast? Basics

Showstopping Surprise has a mana cost of {3}{R}{R}, which equals 5.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires R mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Showstopping Surprise's mana cost of {3}{R}{R} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Showstopping Surprise has a mana value of 5.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Showstopping Surprise's current oracle text is: "Choose target creature you control. Turn it face up if it's face down. Then it deals damage equal to its power to each other creature."

What is the current price of Showstopping Surprise? Pricing

The current market price for Showstopping Surprise is approximately $0.19 USD on TCGPlayer.

Where can I buy Showstopping Surprise? Pricing

You can purchase Showstopping Surprise from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Is Showstopping Surprise legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Showstopping Surprise in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Showstopping Surprise legal in Modern? Legality

Format legality information for Showstopping Surprise in Modern is not available.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Showstopping Surprise legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Showstopping Surprise is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Showstopping Surprise legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Showstopping Surprise in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Showstopping Surprise legal in Legacy? Legality

Showstopping Surprise is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Showstopping Surprise legal in Vintage? Legality

Showstopping Surprise is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Showstopping Surprise legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Showstopping Surprise in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Showstopping Surprise from? Details

This printing of Showstopping Surprise is from MKC (MKC), with collector number 345.

Showstopping Surprise may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Showstopping Surprise's rarity? Details

Showstopping Surprise is a rare card in MKC.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Showstopping Surprise? Details

Showstopping Surprise was illustrated by David Palumbo.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

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