Axelrod Gunnarson MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 219
1995-07-01 - Number 72
2009-09-07 - Number 143
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Giant |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Trample Each time a creature is placed in the graveyard during a turn in which Axelrod damaged it, you gain 1 life and Axelrod does 1 damage to target player.
Cards like Axelrod Gunnarson
Axelrod Gunnarson stands out as an iconic figure in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering creatures, hailing from the much-revered Legends expansion. It draws parallels with other heavy-hitting black and red creatures, such as Rakdos, Lord of Riots. Both legendary creatures require a considerable investment of mana and offer a powerful presence on the battlefield. However, while Rakdos reduces casting costs after dealing damage to an opponent, Axelrod Gunnarson strikes back with a direct gain of life whenever it dispatches another creature, emphasizing survival and endurance.
Against the backdrop of other commanders, Lord of Tresserhorn presents as a comparable creature with the potential for a commanding board presence. Similar to Axelrod, it packs a substantial punch and arrives with a set of drawbacks that can be manipulated to the player’s advantage. The Lord demands a sacrifice upon entrance, while Axelrod requires a strategic setup to capitalize on its life-gain ability.
In conclusion, although newer cards may offer more immediate impact or versatility, Axelrod Gunnarson brings a distinctly old-school MTG flavor to the game, providing a challenging but rewarding choice for players looking to pilot a deck with this weathered warlord at the helm.
Cards similar to Axelrod Gunnarson by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Axelrod Gunnarson brings a unique card advantage to the battlefield by potentially disposing of key enemy creatures. Through its trample ability, any damage that exceeds a creature’s health points targets the opponent directly, effectively cutting down their potential resources while maintaining your own board presence.
Resource Acceleration: In resource acceleration, this legendary giant can be pivotal in a game’s late stages. Although not directly providing mana or tokens, every creature Axelrod destroys gives you an indirect advantage, allowing you to invest your resources elsewhere, like casting more creatures or activating abilities that can turn the tide of the game.
Instant Speed: While Axelrod Gunnarson does not operate at instant speed, it can certainly change the pace of a game. Being a creature that can considerably affect combat outcomes, it incentivizes opponents to play more cautiously or risk losing critical pieces of their strategy at the whim of this imposing creature’s strength and trample capability.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Axelrod Gunnarson’s ability to deal direct damage to a player when a creature dies is potent, but it necessitates discarding a card. In some scenarios, especially during late-game or when hand size is critical, having to discard can be detrimental to maintaining your momentum and resource advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature comes with a very particular mana cost that includes two black and two red mana. This highly specific requirement can make it challenging to cast Axelrod Gunnarson in a multicolored deck, as it demands a strong commitment to both colors within your mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of eight mana, including the two black and two red, Axelrod Gunnarson certainly demands a significant amount of resources. There are many other creatures and spells in the game that might present more immediate board impact or versatility for the same or lower investment.
Reasons to Include Axelrod Gunnarson in Your Collection
Versatility: Axelrod Gunnarson may not be the first card you think of for your commander deck, but this legendary giant offers strategic depth. His trample ability ensures that even if blocked, he can still deal damage to your opponent, making him a consistent threat on the board.
Combo Potential: With Axelrod Gunnarson’s ability to deal damage to any target upon destroying a creature, he pairs well with cards that force opponents to sacrifice creatures or with those that create numerous small creatures for him to smash through.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where older cards can unexpectedly shape the meta, Axelrod Gunnarson maintains uniqueness. For players looking to explore classic dynamics or for fans of formats like Commander where historical cards have a place, Gunnarson can be a game-changer.
How to beat
Overcoming Axelrod Gunnarson in Magic: The Gathering can be a straightforward task with the right strategy. As an old school legendary giant with a formidable casting cost and trample ability, one might assume he is a tough adversary. However, his eight mana cost and the lack of immediate board impact when cast make him less terrifying. The key to beating Axelrod Gunnarson is to utilize efficient removal spells or to simply outpace him with faster, more aggressive decks.
Removal spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares are excellent at dealing with him as soon as he hits the board, neutralizing the threat before your opponent reaps any advantage. Ensuring that your deck can handle late-game threats by including versatile removal options or playing undercosted creatures that can quickly diminish your opponent’s life total before they amass enough mana is essential. It’s also important to keep in mind that if Axelrod Gunnarson isn’t properly supported by other cards, he loses much of his potential impact, allowing for a variety of strategies to outperform his singular presence on the battlefield.
Therefore, when looking at the match-up against Axelrod Gunnarson, employing removals or winning through swift pressure are reliable methods. Although impressive at a glance, Axelrod Gunnarson’s vulnerabilities become apparent with focused strategy and deck construction.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Axelrod Gunnarson MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Axelrod Gunnarson and other MTG cards:
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Axelrod Gunnarson Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Scott Kirschner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 219 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner | |
| 2 | 1995-07-01 | Chronicles | CHR | 72 | 1993 | Normal | White | Scott Kirschner | |
| 3 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 143 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Axelrod Gunnarson has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Axelrod Gunnarson card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Each time a creature is put into a graveyard from play, check whether Axelrod Gunnarson had dealt any damage to it at any time during that turn. (This includes combat damage.) If so, Axelrod Gunnarson’s second ability will trigger. It doesn’t matter who controlled the creature or whose graveyard it was put into. |
| 2009-10-01 | If Axelrod Gunnarson and a creature it dealt damage to are both put into a graveyard at the same time, Axelrod Gunnarson’s second ability will trigger. |
| 2009-10-01 | The player you target with Axelrod Gunnarson’s ability doesn’t have to be the player that controlled the creature that was put into a graveyard. |