Azra Bladeseeker MTG Card
2018-06-08 - Number 55
2019-11-07 - Number 846
2020-09-26 - Number BBD-55
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Azra Warrior |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
When Azra Bladeseeker enters the battlefield, each player on your team may discard a card, then each player who discarded a card this way draws a card.
"Never get too attached to a weapon. You must allow a better one to find its way to you."
Cards like Azra Bladeseeker
Azra Bladeseeker is a unique creature card within Magic: The Gathering that presents interesting gameplay dynamics. When drawing parallels, we can look at the likes of Audacious Thief, which similarly allows players to draw a card. Yet, Audacious Thief necessitates an attack to trigger the effect, potentially exposing the creature to danger, unlike the direct act of sacrificing the Azra Bladeseeker for an immediate effect.
Another card worth comparing is Syndic of Tithes whose ability hinges on extort – a mechanic that also leverages creatures for advantage, but through a different route, offering life and damage manipulation instead of card draw. In addition, cards like Doomed Dissenter offer an alternative sacrifice-driven strategy that provides a 2/2 token upon death, but again, without the card draw that Azra Bladeseeker guarantees.
Ultimately, though each card proffers a semblance of utility through creature-based mechanics, Azra Bladeseeker maintains a distinct position by directly fuelling card advantage, making it a worthy choice for players seeking immediate draw effects without combat stipulations.
Cards similar to Azra Bladeseeker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Azra Bladeseeker grants you the potential to draw a card and thus maintain a level of card advantage. This ability can sustain your resources and give you more options as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: By compelling both players to discard a card, Azra Bladeseeker can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. In situations where you’re benefiting from card discard effects or leveraging graveyard resources, this can put you leaps ahead of your opponent.
Instant Speed: This creature’s ability activates at instant speed, providing flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy at the end of their turn or in response to actions that would otherwise leave you at a disadvantage during your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Azra Bladeseeker requires you to discard a card in order to activate its ability. This can potentially put you at a card disadvantage, especially if you lack card draw mechanisms to replenish your hand. Players must weigh the benefit of the card’s effect against the cost of losing another card from their hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Azra Bladeseeker’s casting cost includes both black and red mana. This restricts its inclusion only to decks that can produce both colors, limiting its flexibility. For players running a mono-colored deck or one that doesn’t support these colors, it becomes an unplayable option.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one black and one red, Azra Bladeseeker’s ability might be seen as costly considering other cards in the game might provide similar or even better effects for a lower mana investment. This could make it less appealing when building a mana-efficient deck.
Reasons to Include Azra Bladeseeker in Your Collection
Versatility: Azra Bladeseeker can seamlessly integrate into a variety of deck builds that require an aggressive early game presence. Not only is it a solid creature, but its ability to potentially draw you a card makes it a valuable component in decks that hinge on card advantage.
Combo Potential: This card can work well in combos that capitalize on casting creatures or sacrificing them for larger effects. Its enter the battlefield trigger can synergize with strategies focused on card draw or triggering prowess-like abilities.
Meta-Relevance: With its capability to apply early pressure and contribute to card advantage, Azra Bladeseeker can be an asset in a fast-paced meta. It’s particularly relevant in metas where board presence and maintaining hand size can make the difference between victory and defeat.
How to Overcome the Challenge
Azra Bladeseeker is an intriguing presence within the MTG universe. It enters the battlefield with the potential to alter game dynamics through its card draw and discard ability. Unlike more straightforward creatures, dealing with Azra Bladeseeker requires a shrewd strategy.
To successfully navigate an encounter with this card, players should consider removal options that are swift and effective. Instant speed removal spells like Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt can dispatch the Bladeseeker before its controller reaps the benefits of its abilities. Players might also attempt to outpace the card advantage by utilizing efficient card draw engines or imposing hand size limits through cards like Narset, Parter of Veils. This limits the advantage gained from the forced card draw and discard of Azra Bladeseeker.
Lastly, it’s worth considering graveyard manipulation – a secondary line of attack if Azra’s discard effect is leveraged by your opponent. Cards like Scavenging Ooze can help manage the graveyard, turning a potential disadvantage into an asset. Navigating around Azra Bladeseeker’s ability can be tricky, but with the right counters and a good read on the opponent’s strategy, overcoming this challenge is well within reach.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Azra Bladeseeker MTG card by a specific set like Battlebond and Mystery Booster, 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 Azra Bladeseeker and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Azra Bladeseeker Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-06-08 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Joe Slucher.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 846 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | BBD-55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Azra Bladeseeker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Azra Bladeseeker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-06-08 | The choice of whether to discard a card is made by each player on your team individually. You don’t need to all make the same choice. |