Blazing Blade Askari MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Abilities | Flanking |
| Released | 2006-10-06 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Time Spiral |
| Set code | TSP |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 146 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dan Frazier |
Text of card
Flanking (Whenever a creature without flanking blocks this creature, the blocking creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn.) : Blazing Blade Askari becomes colorless until end of turn.
"This can't be Jamuraa. We could not have failed her this badly . . . ."
Cards like Blazing Blade Askari
Blazing Blade Askari holds a distinctive place among the creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other cards like Viashino Warrior. Both creatures boast the flanking ability, giving them a strategic edge in combat against creatures without flanking. However, Blazing Blade Askari offers more flexibility with a morph cost enabling players to surprise opponents by turning it face up anytime for its morph cost.
The comparison also brings to light Aven Trailblazer, a creature card with a variable power and toughness depending on the number of basic land types among lands you control. Unlike Blazing Blade Askari, it doesn’t have the constant presence that flanking provides. Yet it has the potential for a larger impact depending on the game’s landscape. Then we have Skirk Marauder, another morph card that when turned face up, has a different ability which allows it to deal damage to target creature or player. This provides direct removal, contrasted with Blazing Blade Askari’s combat-focused utility.
Overall, Blazing Blade Askari’s combination of flanking and morph mechanisms solidifies its unassuming yet tactical role on the battlefield. Its versatility in combat can make it a valuable asset for players who enjoy reactive strategies and creature-based tactics.
Cards similar to Blazing Blade Askari by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blazing Blade Askari may not directly allow you to draw additional cards, but its flanking ability can potentially create card advantage by outmaneuvering your opponent’s creatures. This increases the likelihood of successful combat encounters, forcing opponents to lose creatures while yours survive.
Resource Acceleration: While Blazing Blade Askari doesn’t provide mana or tokens, its low casting cost contributes to resource acceleration by allowing you to deploy threats early. This early presence on the battlefield enables you to establish pressure and leaves mana open for other plays.
Instant Speed: Blazing Blade Askari itself isn’t an instant, but it complements a strategy that includes instant speed spells. As a reliable blocker due to flanking, it can deter attacks, giving you the flexibility to cast spells at instant speed without worrying about leaving your defenses down.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Blazing Blade Askari can be a key player in your battlefield strategy, one downside is its reliance on flanking. This ability might force you to discard other valuable cards from your hand to fully utilize its potential. Discarding as part of strategizing can leave you at a resource disadvantage, so playing this creature requires careful hand management.
Specific Mana Cost: The Blazing Blade Askari comes with a mana cost that includes red. This cost specificity means you’re looking at a necessity to integrate red mana sources into your deck, potentially limiting deck-building versatility and making it somewhat challenging to fit into multicolor decks that don’t focus on red.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Blazing Blade Askari’s mana cost stands at three, including one red. While not exceedingly high, in the fast-paced games where every mana point counts, there are alternative creatures you might summon that bring comparable or greater power to the board at a lower cost. This can make the Blazing Blade Askari a less attractive option in mana-efficient strategies where curve optimization is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Blazing Blade Askari is a valuable addition to any aggressive deck seeking a reliable two-drop creature. Its flanking ability makes it a formidable presence in combat, deterring blockers and assisting in penetrating enemy lines.
Combo Potential: This card works well in synergistic strategies that leverage Red or White’s strengths. Its ability to gain first strike until the end of turn can be paired with equipment or combat tricks, creating unexpected combat outcomes and disrupting opponent plans.
Meta-Relevance: Given its modest casting cost and utility in combat, Blazing Blade Askari fits seamlessly into metas that favor quick, resource-efficient creatures. It also holds its own against other popular two-drop options, making it a smart pick for competitive play.
How to beat
Blazing Blade Askari offers a unique dynamic in the realm of Magic: The Gathering due to its flanking ability, making it challenging for opponents to block without suffering casualties to their creatures. To outmaneuver this card, flexibility in strategy becomes essential. Cards that negate combat or bypass it entirely render the flanking ability irrelevant, shuffling the odds back into your favor. Utilizing flyers or creatures with reach can also secure an advantage, as they typically won’t engage directly with ground forces.
Control spells are another potent tool against Blazing Blade Askari. Removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can swiftly handle the Askari before it becomes an active threat on the battlefield. Alternatively, countering strategies, including deploying creatures with higher toughness, can leave the Askari’s flanking effect futile and open pathways to counterattack. In this manner, understanding and preparing for the characteristics of cards like Blazing Blade Askari is key to maintaining the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Strategic deck building and in-game decision-making are paramount when facing specialized mechanics. Enhanced with the knowledge of how to neutralize such unique abilities, players can confidently confront the challenges posed by cards like Blazing Blade Askari, ensuring dominance on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blazing Blade Askari MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Blazing Blade Askari 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blazing Blade Askari has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |