Duskwielder MTG Card

Duskwielder’s ability to force discards creates card advantage through opponent hand-size reduction. Boast mechanic offers instant pressure, but at an additional mana cost during combat. Specific hybrid mana cost limits versatility but accelerates resources in black or red decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Berserker
Abilities	Boast
Released	2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Kaldheim
Set code	KHM
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	91
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daarken

Text of card

Boast — : Target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life. (Activate only if this creature attacked this turn and only once each turn.)

"My shadow alone will slay you."

Cards like Duskwielder

Duskwielder occupies a unique space in the realm of MTG debuff cards. Strikingly similar to other one-drop creatures such as Vampire Lacerator, Duskwielder offers its own twist by enabling players to chip away their opponent’s life total every turn it attacks, albeit conditional upon boasting boasting. Whereas the Lacerator has a consistent, unconditional life loss effect at the cost of potentially harming its controller if they aren’t ahead.

Comparatively, Pulse Tracker is a close counterpart to Duskwielder, both being one-mana black creatures that impact the opponent’s life total when they attack. However, Pulse Tracker‘s ability is guaranteed to cause life loss without an additional requirement, unlike Duskwielder’s boast mechanic that necessitates an additional mana payment for the effect. Lastly, Serrated Scorpion is another one-drop that threats the opponent’s life but in a different way, providing life-loss only upon its death.

Each of these creatures presents distinct advantages and playstyles for deck builders. Duskwielder is particularly noteworthy for its potential consistent life draining combined with its synergy with other boast cards, which might edge it into decks designed around these synergies.

Cards similar to Duskwielder by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions

Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Duskwielder doesn’t inherently allow you to draw cards, its ability to potentially reduce the opponent’s hand size can create a subtle card advantage. By attacking and forcing the discard, it makes the overall resources more favorable for you.

Resource Acceleration: Through the boast mechanic, Duskwielder offers resource acceleration by enabling you to drain life from your opponent. This consistent pressure can amount to a significant advantage over the course of a game, especially in aggressive strategies.

Instant Speed: While Duskwielder itself is a creature card played at sorcery speed, its boast ability can be activated at instant speed, during the combat after declaring attackers. This gives you the flexibility to use the effect at the most opportune moment within the combat phase.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Duskwielder requires you to boast, which means you may need to spend additional mana after it attacks to gain any benefits. This can strain your mana resources, especially in the early game when you need to develop your board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Duskwielder has a specific hybrid mana cost which requires either black or red mana. While flexible within those colors, it’s not as versatile in multicolor decks that don’t run either black or red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering its boast ability and the overall mana investment required to get the most out of Duskwielder, other cards at similar mana costs could be more immediately impactful on the game without needing to attack first to utilize their abilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Duskwielder proves to be adept at slotting into multiple deck archetypes, most notably ones that seek incremental advantage over time. Its ability to potentially yield life and chip away at an opponent’s health each turn makes it a persistent threat in the long game.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic interactions, particularly with equipment and auras that enhance its combat abilities. Its boast ability can escalate in power when combined with cards designed to untap creatures or with effects that reduce the cost of abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Duskwielder adds consistent pressure and life advantage, which can be crucial. It fits well into decks that aim to outlast opponents while employing tactics that whittle their life totals in early to mid-game stages.

How to beat

Tackling Duskwielder on the battlefield requires a strategic approach to disrupt its potential. This card harnesses the synergy between its ability to deal damage and the boast mechanic, which can be activated after declaring attackers for an added effect. In essence, Duskwielder can be a persistent thorn in your side, gradually chipping away at your life points while bolstering its controller’s position.

To neutralize Duskwielder’s impact, consider leveraging removal spells that can deal with it before its boast ability is used. Targeted removals like Shock or Fatal Push efficiently dispatch smaller creatures like Duskwielder without significant resource investment. Alternatively, keep an eye on cards that can prevent the ability from triggering, such as those with the “tapping” effect, effectively negating the chance for your opponent to boast. Remember, Duskwielder’s strength lies in its repetitive activations, so addressing it promptly will spare you from a death by a thousand cuts and keep you ahead in the game’s momentum.

Loading your deck with a blend of cheap removal and control elements will prime you for dominance against cards like Duskwielder. A prepared player is one who remains unfazed by such incremental threats and focuses on maintaining a clear board, paving the way for their victory in the nuanced dance of Magic: The Gathering.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duskwielder MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Duskwielder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Duskwielder has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal