Axebane Beast MTG Card

Axebane Beast’s solid toughness aids defensively in creature-synergistic decks, indirectly aiding card advantage. Though lacking flash, its consistency offers strategic play potential by pairing well with instant-speed tricks. Demands specific mana cost; however, its inclusion can be justified by its ability to hold the line early on.
Axebane Beast - Ravnica Allegiance
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Beast
Released2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica Allegiance
Set codeRNA
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number121
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySam Rowan

Understanding Axebane Beast’s Place in the Creature Pantheon

Axebane Beast is an interesting creature card to consider in the broader context of Magic: The Gathering. It’s a basic piece of the creature lineup with a power and toughness of 3/4 for four mana. This simple, no-frills beast sits quite comfortably in the common creature card slot, much like other cost-equivalent creatures such as Baloth Gorger and Hill Giant.

Cards like Axebane Beast

Axebane Beast shares the battlefield with other creatures such as Centaur Courser and Enormous Baloth. Like the Courser, Axebane Beast comes with no additional abilities but offers a balanced power and toughness for its cost. In contrast, Enormous Baloth provides a significant leap in power and toughness yet requires a greater mana investment. This puts Axebane Beast in a position to be a reliable early to mid-game creature that can hold the line until larger creatures can take over the game.

For players seeking a creature with a similar mana-to-power/toughness ratio, they might consider Alpine Grizzly. Although the Grizzly boasts one less toughness, it compensates with a lower mana cost, making it a potentially more aggressive early-game play. Yet, Axebane Beast remains a solid choice for players who prioritize stability on the board.

While it may not shine for its uniqueness, Axebane Beast’s straightforward nature makes it a dependable option for many deck builds seeking sturdy creatures that can sustain a few hits while providing consistent board presence.

Baloth Gorger - MTG Card versions
Hill Giant - MTG Card versions
Centaur Courser - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Alpine Grizzly - MTG Card versions
Baloth Gorger - MTG Card versions
Hill Giant - MTG Card versions
Centaur Courser - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Alpine Grizzly - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Axebane Beast itself may not directly grant card draw, its sheer presence can be advantageous. In decks that synergize with creatures, the Beast becomes a valuable asset that supports various card interactions, leading indirectly to a card advantage over the course of the game.

Resource Acceleration: As a creature with a solid four toughness, Axebane Beast is an excellent enabler for strategies that benefit from a sturdy defensive line. This can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration by protecting other key creatures or permanents that are integral to ramping up your mana base or strategy.

Instant Speed: While Axebane Beast isn’t an instant itself, the power of playing beasts can catch opponents off guard when paired with cards that have flash or when utilizing instant-speed tricks to reinforce your board presence during critical turns. This tactical flexibility, when added to a solid creature like Axebane Beast, creates strategic depth and surprise plays that can shift the momentum of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the context of Axebane Beast, players do not need to worry about discarding cards to summon this creature. This card steers clear of this particular disadvantage, allowing players to retain a full grip of cards when casting it.

Specific Mana Cost: Axebane Beast demands a specific mana cost of three generic and one green mana to play. This threshold can sometimes be restrictive, especially in decks that run multiple colors and may lack the necessary green sources at the critical moment of play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four total mana for a basic 3/4 creature, Axebane Beast may not stand out when compared to other options available. There are creatures with similar or better stats that come at a lower cost or with additional beneficial abilities, which might offer more value within the same mana range.

Reasons to Include Axebane Beast in Your Collection

Versatility: Axebane Beast is a straightforward creature that can slip into green ramp decks or any deck that benefits from having a solid creature presence on the board. Its 3/4 body for four mana makes it a decent defensive option as well.

Combo Potential: While not a combo piece in itself, Axebane Beast can synergize with effects that care about creature stats or types – think ‘power matters’ or ‘creature count’ synergies – thus enabling various interactions within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: Given its robust build, Axebane Beast can hold its own in a meta with aggressive early plays, providing a cost-effective creature that can both attack and block effectively early on.

How to beat

Axebane Beast may seem like a sturdy creature to face on the battlefield due to its solid 3/4 stats for only four mana, making it a reasonable threat in the mid-game. That said, like many creatures in Magic: The Gathering, it has vulnerabilities that can be exploited. One effective way to handle this beast is by utilizing removal spells. Spells like Murder or Doom Blade can easily dispatch the creature without the need to engage it in combat.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of its lack of evasion abilities. Axebane Beast doesn’t have flying or trample, so chump-blocking it with smaller creatures can be an effective way to mitigate the damage it can deal while you set up your board or draw into an answer. You can also use enchantments like Pacifism or cards with bounce effects like Unsummon to neutralize Axebane Beast without triggering effects that benefit from the creature dying.

Ultimately, while Axebane Beast can be a cost-effective way to bolster your creature lineup, it’s relatively straightforward to counteract with the right spells and strategy, allowing you to maintain control of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Axebane Beast MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Axebane Beast and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Axebane Beast has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal