Hardened Berserker MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 139
2019-11-07 - Number 973
2020-09-26 - Number DTK-139
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Berserker |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever Hardened Berserker attacks, the next spell you cast this turn costs less to cast.
"Just let him loose and follow the charge." —Yikaro, Atarka warrior
Cards like Hardened Berserker
The Hardened Berserker is a worthy component of red decks in Magic: The Gathering. Similar to other aggressive red creatures, it exerts pressure on your opponent. A close relative is the Borderland Marauder, which also benefits from attacking scenarios, acquiring additional power. Yet, the Hardened Berserker offers a unique advantage by making your subsequent spells less costly when it attacks, directly influencing your mana efficiency and gameplay momentum.
Another comparable card is the Goblin Heelcutter. While it doesn’t reduce the cost of your spells, it disrupts the opponent’s defense by preventing a creature from blocking for a turn, emphasizing immediate board impact. Additionally, it holds the potential for reuse with its dash ability, offering flexibility. The Berserker, conversely, provides a consistent economic advantage throughout the game each time it attacks.
Considering these factors, Hardened Berserker stands out owing to its ability to influence the mana curve positively, making it a tactical asset for players looking to cast spells sooner and maintain an aggressive board presence throughout the match.
Cards similar to Hardened Berserker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Hardened Berserker itself may not directly allow you to draw cards, it can create significant indirect card advantage. By making your spells cost less mana, it allows you to deploy more threats or answers from your hand more efficiently. This maximizes the potential of each card you play, yielding a strategic upper hand.
Resource Acceleration: Hardened Berserker excels in resource acceleration by reducing the cost of the next spell you cast each turn. This type of cost reduction can be pivotal, especially in aggressive strategies where casting multiple spells in one turn can overwhelm opponents, effectively speeding up your game plan.
Instant Speed: Although Hardened Berserker itself is not an instant, its ability to reduce the casting cost of your spells opens up your mana allowing you to keep mana open for other instant speed interactions. This flexibility lets you play a more responsive game while committing powerful creatures to the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Hardened Berserker does not have a discard requirement itself, building a deck around it might force players to include other cards that do, potentially leading to a loss of card advantage against opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: Hardened Berserker’s casting cost is exclusively red, limiting the card to mono-red or red-inclusive decks and possibly restricting its versatility in a player’s arsenal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at three mana, Hardened Berserker may be overshadowed by other three-mana options that offer direct damage, better immediate impact, or lower-cost creatures that are easier to weave into a mana curve.
Reasons to Include Hardened Berserker in Your Collection
Versatility: Hardened Berserker’s ability to reduce the cost of spells you cast, complements a variety of deck archetypes that aim to flood the board with creatures or cast multiple spells in a turn. This makes it adaptable to both aggressive and synergistic strategies.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that benefit from casting spells or creatures, Hardened Berserker becomes a key component in generating powerful combos. The cost reduction can lead to explosive turns where you play numerous spells for a discounted mana cost. It enables a higher play velocity which is key for building momentum on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggro decks are prominent, Hardened Berserker can give you the edge by allowing faster development of your board state. Its impact on spell costs can alter the pace of play, potentially outtempoing your opponents and gaining significant advantage as they struggle to keep up with your reduced mana curve.
How to beat Hardened Berserker
Hardened Berserker is a formidable creature that can be quite a threat on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This 3/2 creature lowers the cost of spells cast post-combat, allowing players to deploy more threats. Tackling this berserker head-on might be challenging due to its ability to rapidly change the tempo of the game.
The key to overpowering this card lies in timing and removal efficiency. Using instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile before the attack phase can prevent the cost-reduction ability from ever being a factor. If that window is missed, board wipes such as Wrath of God can reset the playing field. It is also beneficial to hold onto counter spells specifically for essential threats that could be enabled by the Berserker’s ability, or for the Berserker itself.
By staying one step ahead and utilizing prompt removal, you’ll neutralize Hardened Berserker’s advantage, maintaining the upper hand. Always keep in mind the strategies that revolve around this card and prepare your deck with answers to swiftly handle this aggressive creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hardened Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Hardened Berserker 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 Hardened Berserker Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Viktor Titov.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 139 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 973 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DTK-139 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Viktor Titov |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hardened Berserker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hardened Berserker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | Hardened Berserker can’t reduce the colored mana requirement of a spell you cast. |
| 2015-02-25 | If there are any additional costs to cast a spell, apply those before applying Hardened Berserker and any other cost reductions. |
| 2015-02-25 | The ability can apply to alternative costs to cast a spell. |