Braids, Cabal Minion MTG Card

Braids tips the scales each turn, leveraging board control through mandatory sacrifices from all players. Resource denial frames a distinct advantage, indirectly boosting your game stance by throttling opponents. Strategic instant play bolsters Braids’ oppressive upkeep ability, clearing the path for her effect.

Odyssey (ODY)
2001-10-01 - Number 117

Braids, Cabal Minion - Eternal Masters (EMA)

Eternal Masters (EMA)
2016-06-10 - Number 82

Braids, Cabal Minion - Modern Horizons 2 (MH2)

Modern Horizons 2 (MH2)
2021-06-18 - Number 273

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Human Minion
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player sacrifices an artifact, creature, or land.

"Home is where you can find a decent graveyard and strangers can disappear without awkward questions."

Cards like Braids, Cabal Minion

Braids, Cabal Minion is a standout character in the MTG universe with its unique ability to influence the board state. This card necessitates each player to sacrifice an artifact, creature, or land at the beginning of their upkeep, challenging traditional gameplay. It shares a resemblance to cards such as Smokestack, known for its similar pressure on players to sacrifice resources each turn. While Smokestack scales with the number of soot counters, Braids does not require such buildup to exert its influence.

Analogous to Braids’ sacrificing strategy, Desecration Demon forces opponents to sacrifice creatures or allow the Demon to grow stronger. While the demon provides an ultimatum, Braids represents a consistent depletion of resources. Then there’s Sheoldred, Whispering One, which not only compels opponents to sacrifice creatures every turn but also brings back your creatures from the graveyard. Sheoldred’s ability provides both a crippling offensive and a resilient defensive strategy.

Evaluating these cards, Braids, Cabal Minion offers a unique approach to disrupting opponent strategies, making it a formidable inclusion in decks focused on resource denial and control. Its immediate impact requires careful planning and strategic play, securing its reputation in MTG.

Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Braids, Cabal Minion by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Braids, Cabal Minion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	B/W Mid	Free form		Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Braids, Cabal Minion offers an ongoing advantage each turn. By compelling each player to sacrifice a permanent at the upkeep, Braids can effectively dismantle an opponent’s board presence, especially if you’re better equipped to handle the sacrifice requirement.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your own resources, Braids can be a cornerstone in a resource denial strategy. By limiting your opponent’s resources systematically, you indirectly accelerate your own position in the game relative to your opponent’s.

Instant Speed: Although Braids, Cabal Minion doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, the card can be integral in decks that play at instant speed. You can play instants and other fast effects before your turn, keeping the board clear for Braids’ ability to have maximum impact during your upkeep.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Braids, Cabal Minion demands a steep price for her powerful ability by expecting you to sacrifice a creature or land during each of your upkeeps. This can quickly deplete your board presence and resources, particularly detrimental if you’re unable to establish a solid foothold in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Her casting cost is quite particular, requiring two black mana. This can be tricky in a multi-color deck where black is not the primary color, thus potentially restricting her to mono-black or heavy black-oriented decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana, including two of which are black, Braids may come into play a tad later than you would want for an engine of her nature. Comparatively, there are lower-cost cards that can disrupt the opponent without necessitating the steady sacrifice of your own resources.

Reasons to Include Braids, Cabal Minion in Your Collection

Versatility: Braids, Cabal Minion offers a unique flexibility in black-centered decks, allowing players to manipulate the board by forcing each player to sacrifice a permanent at the beginning of their upkeep. This can fit into various strategies, from controlling to reanimator decks, enhancing the overall adaptability of your deck.

Combo Potential: With its ability to create recurring sacrifice triggers, Braids can be a linchpin in numerous combo scenarios. This card is particularly potent with effects that generate tokens or recur creatures from the graveyard, providing a steady stream of fodder for her ability, and disrupting opponents’ board states.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where permanent-based strategies dominate, having Braids, Cabal Minion in your lineup means wielding a powerful tool to systematically dismantle your opponents’ boards. By applying constant pressure and forcing sacrifices, it can break the symmetry with cards designed to benefit from such interactions, giving you a significant edge.

How to beat

Braids, Cabal Minion is an iconic card that has been a source of both fascination and frustration for Magic: The Gathering players. With her ability to force each player to sacrifice an artifact, creature, or land on their upkeep, Braids can quickly take over a game if left unchecked. To outplay this powerful minion, smart deck building and strategic play are essential.

Countering Braids largely comes down to including cards that can either neutralize her ability or take advantage of it. Cards that provide token generation can furnish players with fodder to sacrifice, thus keeping valuable assets safe. Alternative strategies involve utilizing graveyard retrieval abilities to recover sacrificed cards, or enchantments that protect key permanents. Additionally, deploying instant-speed removal allows players to deal with Braids on their terms before her ability can impact their game.

In summary, overcoming Braids, Cabal Minion requires a blend of foresight and versatility. By employing a mix of sacrificial lambs, graveyard recursion, and timely removal, any player can deftly navigate around the hurdles she presents and keep their board position strong against this daunting adversary.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Braids, Cabal Minion MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Eternal Masters, 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 Braids, Cabal Minion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Braids, Cabal Minion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by Eric Peterson.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2001-10-01	Odyssey	ODY	117	1997	Normal	Black	Eric Peterson
2	2016-06-10	Eternal Masters	EMA	82	2015	Normal	Black	Eric Peterson
3	2021-06-18	Modern Horizons 2	MH2	273	2015	Normal	Black	Eric Peterson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Braids, Cabal Minion has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Banned
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Banned
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Braids, Cabal Minion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2016-06-08	At the beginning of your upkeep, triggered abilities you control will resolve after triggered abilities your opponents control. If an opponent controls Braids and you control a triggered ability that puts a permanent onto the battlefield, you won't be able to sacrifice that permanent to satisfy Braids's ability.