Darksteel Axe MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 149
2015-05-22 - Number 208
2017-11-17 - Number 214
2020-08-07 - Number 247
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip,Indestructible |
Text of card
Darksteel Axe is indestructible. (Effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.) Equipped creature gets +2/+0. Equip
Heavier than it looks, tricky to wield, guaranteed to last.
Cards like Darksteel Axe
The Darksteel Axe holds its own in the realm of equipment cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its indestructible nature makes it a persistent threat on the battlefield, quite reminiscent of other durable artifacts like the notorious Darksteel Ingot. The Ingot offers indestructibility to mana sources, while the Axe equips creatures with a permanent boost to their offensive capabilities.
Another card worth mentioning is the Bonesplitter, a simpler artifact that provides a similar power boost at a lower cost. Unlike Darksteel Axe, however, Bonesplitter lacks indestructibility, making it vulnerable to artifact destruction spells. Then there’s Trusty Machete, a slightly more costly option that also boosts both power and toughness, which could tip the scales in a closely-fought battle.
Comparing these various equipment options highlights the unique blend of resilience and power enhancement that the Darksteel Axe offers to creatures. Players looking for a reliable way to up their creatures’ offensive game without the fear of equipment loss have found a solid ally in this card.
Cards similar to Darksteel Axe by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Darksteel Axe remains a constant threat on the battlefield due to its indestructible nature. This means it will often provide card advantage as it does not need to be replaced after a board wipe or targeted removal that would usually set players back.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly accelerating your mana pool, equipping creatures with Darksteel Axe can speed up your game plan by increasing your creatures’ power efficiently. This allows players to apply pressure and close games faster, effectively outpacing an opponent’s resource development.
Instant Speed: While Darksteel Axe itself isn’t an instant, its inherent resilience affords players the flexibility usually associated with instant-speed interactions. Since the Axe is likely to stick around, players can invest mana in other spells without worrying about losing their equipment, similar to the reassurance offered by holding up an instant.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although the Darksteel Axe doesn’t inherently require a discard, if it ends up in a cycle where discarding is a part of the game strategy, it lacks the immediate impact or payoff some other cards might provide when discarded.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has an equip cost that demands one specific colorless mana. This isn’t usually restrictive, but in a deck with heavy color mana dependence or in a multicolored deck, you might find it’s not always easy to spare that mana for equipping.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial cost to cast Darksteel Axe is manageable at one colorless mana, but its equip cost is relatively high. There are other equipment cards that may offer more potent abilities or buffs for a similar or even lower equip cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Darksteel Axe boasts an impressive ability to be a staple in multiple deck archetypes due to its indestructible nature, providing a reliable buff to creatures across the game.
Combo Potential: This card seamlessly integrates into strategies emphasizing artifact synergy or those that require durable equipment to ensure long-term advantage on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: With the shifting tides of the meta, Darksteel Axe remains relevant, offering aggressive decks an unyielding edge, while also countering strategies focused on destroying permanents.
How to beat Darksteel Axe
Darksteel Axe, known for its resilience and moderate boost, is a piece of equipment in the Magic: The Gathering universe that can turn even the weakest creature into a significant threat. However, while it’s indestructible, the creatures wielding it are not. Targeted removal spells that exile, shrink or change a creature’s base characteristics can easily circumvent the axe’s durability. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push offer clean solutions without having to directly address the indestructibility.
Alternatively, taking control of the situation with enchantments that neutralize abilities can render equipped creatures harmless. Enchantments like Pacifism or Frogify can effectively remove threats equipped with Darksteel Axe, bypassing the need to destroy the artifact itself. This strategy shifts the focus to containing the threat rather than engaging in an arms race against an unbreakable object.
It’s also worth considering strategies that limit equipment’s impact indirectly. Cards that restrict a player’s ability to equip items or lock down combat capabilities can isolate Darksteel Axe’s influence. Board wipes that clear all creatures from the field can also reset the playing field, making the Darksteel Axe’s presence less daunting. Overall, while the axe may be unyielding, the strategies to overcome it in Magic: The Gathering are numerous and varied.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Darksteel Axe MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Darksteel Axe 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
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Printings
The Darksteel Axe Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 149 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren | |
| 2 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 208 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren | |
| 3 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 214 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren | |
| 4 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 247 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Darksteel Axe has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Darksteel Axe card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-07-01 | Although Darksteel Axe has indestructible, it can still be put into the graveyard for other reasons. The most likely reason is if it's sacrificed. |
| 2013-07-01 | Darksteel Axe itself has indestructible, not the creature it's equipping. |