Pirate's Cutlass MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage with its unique auto-equip ability, boosting pirates without extra costs.
  2. Enables resource efficiency, saving mana for other spells and accelerating board development.
  3. Tactical use mimics instant-speed effects, keeping opponents unsure of your next move.

Text of card

When Pirate's Cutlass enters the battlefield, attach it to target Pirate you control. Equipped creature gets +2/+1. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pirate’s Cutlass comes with an auto-equip ability when a Pirate enters the battlefield under your control, essentially giving you a free equipment attachment. This can translate to an immediate board presence boost without spending additional resources, keeping your hand equipped to handle whatever comes next.

Resource Acceleration: While Pirate’s Cutlass itself doesn’t produce mana or treasure tokens, its low equip cost provides a form of resource acceleration by allowing you to reinforce other creatures easily. You save mana in the long run which can be invested into playing more cards, thereby speeding up your overall pace in the game.

Instant Speed: Although Pirate’s Cutlass is not an instant, its ability to attach instantly to a Pirate can be used tactically, similar to instant-speed interactions. You can play a Pirate creature during your second main phase to immediately buff it, keeping opponents guessing and managing your threats on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the downsides of the Pirate’s Cutlass is the requirement to have a pirate in play to automatically attach it. If you’re unable to field a pirate, its merit significantly drops, as you’ll need another action to equip it to a creature.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Pirate’s Cutlass includes generic mana, which does allow some flexibility, but the need to invest in a creature to equip—typically a pirate—means you are restricted in deck-building and are incentivized to focus on a pirate-themed deck to maximize its potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the mana cost to cast and equip, Pirate’s Cutlass might be seen as quite an investment especially when there are numerous other equipment cards available that can be equipped for less and offer similar or better bonuses to the creature.


Reasons to Include Pirate’s Cutlass in Your Collection

Versatility: Pirate’s Cutlass is a flexible equipment card that can swiftly boost any creature’s capabilities, making it a solid inclusion in various creature-focused decks. Its ability to attach immediately to a Pirate creature upon entering the battlefield makes it a fine addition to any Pirate-themed deck for an instant power and toughness increase.

Combo Potential: Coupling its power-boosting effect with cards that benefit from equipped creatures, Pirate’s Cutlass can be part of synergistic interactions. Add this card to decks that capitalize on equipment or that trigger upon artifact entry and watch your strategies sharpen just like the Cutlass’s blade.

Meta-Relevance: With Pirate archetypes continually sailing through various meta waters, having Pirate’s Cutlass in your arsenal ensures you’re well-equipped to face opponents with a sturdy, cost-effective power-up tool. This card’s adaptability makes it an asset in many casual play groups and can sometimes catch opponents off-guard in more competitive settings.


How to beat

Pirate’s Cutlass is a card that often slips under the radar in the bustling world of Magic: The Gathering. With an ability to automatically attach to a Pirate, it can swiftly make any unassuming swashbuckler a formidable threat. The key to countering Pirate’s Cutlass lies in managing the threats before they upgrade. Cards like Abrade or Naturalize offer quick removal for artifacts, negating the Cutlass’s buff entirely. It’s also advantageous to watch for opportunities to eliminate the Pirates themselves, preventing the Cutlass from latching onto a new target. Keeping removal spells handy for both creatures and artifacts can help ensure that your opponent’s Pirates never get a chance to brandish their enhanced blades.

Additionally, playing around the Cutlass involves adapting your strategy to be proactive rather than reactive. A solid defense with blockers that survive a Cutlass-boosted attack is crucial. Aiming to keep the board clear and prioritizing the destruction of artifacts will diminish the utility that Pirate’s Cutlass can offer in the battle. If the Cutlass has already been equipped, focus on dealing with the buffed creature via direct removal or combat tricks to regain control. In essence, overcome this card by efficiently managing your opponent’s battlefield and always staying one step ahead of the pirate’s arsenal.


Cards like Pirate's Cutlass

Pirate’s Cutlass stands out as a unique equipment card in Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of affordability and a respectable power boost to pirate creatures. If we look at Swiftfoot Boots, a classic equipment in the game, we notice it grants haste and hexproof, however, it doesn’t provide an automatic attachment like Pirate’s Cutlass does when a pirate enters the battlefield. This auto-equip feature significantly enhances the tempo for pirate-themed decks.

Moving on, Captain’s Hook is another equipment closely associated with pirates. While it grants a larger power boost and the menace ability, its higher cost and lack of an auto-equip feature make Pirate’s Cutlass a preferable option for swift board development. The Cutlass’s low equip cost also ensures it remains a valuable asset throughout the game.

In comparison to these options, Pirate’s Cutlass is a solid choice for players looking to optimize their pirate decks. It provides a unique advantage with its cost-effective nature and specialized support for pirate creatures, ultimately enhancing the deck’s aggressive potential and synergy.

Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - Magic 2012 (M12)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)

Cards similar to Pirate's Cutlass by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Pristine Talisman - MTG Card versions
Alloy Myr - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Herald's Horn - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Runed Arch - Ice Age (ICE)
Clay Pigeon - Unglued (UGL)
Ashnod's Altar - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Jalum Tome - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Patchwork Gnomes - Odyssey (ODY)
The Stasis Coffin - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Spellweaver Helix - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scale of Chiss-Goria - Mirrodin (MRD)
Lightning Coils - Mirrodin (MRD)
Loxodon Warhammer - Commander Legends (CMR)
Sword of Feast and Famine - Judge Gift Cards 2014 (J14)
Training Drone - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Pristine Talisman - New Phyrexia Promos (PNPH)
Alloy Myr - Jumpstart (JMP)
Guardians of Meletis - Magic Origins (ORI)
Vedalken Shackles - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Herald's Horn - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Manalith - Hour of Devastation (HOU)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pirate's Cutlass MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Jumpstart, 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 Pirate's Cutlass and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pirate's Cutlass Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by John Stanko.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 2422015normalblackJohn Stanko
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 4772015normalblackJohn Stanko
32020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 3332015normalblackJohn Stanko

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pirate's Cutlass has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-11-10 You can cast Pirate's Cutlass even if you control no Pirates. If you control no Pirates as Pirate's Cutlass enters the battlefield, its triggered ability will have no effect.

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