Radiant Strike

In Commander, Radiant Strike is too narrow for most 99s — combat tricks lose value when you're playing against three opponents and board states sprawl wide. It sees the most traction in dedicated voltron builds where one creature is already swinging for lethal and first strike closes the window on a double-block. In faster formats like Modern and Pioneer, one-mana instant-speed first strike can ambush attackers or win burn races, but dedicated combat trick slots are scarce and Radiant Strike competes with effects that also pump power or draw a card. Pauper is its most hospitable competitive home, where common-legal first strike can actually swing a damage race.