Hedron Blade MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
| Released | 2015-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Battle for Zendikar |
| Set code | BFZ |
| Number | 224 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zack Stella |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +1/+1. Whenever equipped creature becomes blocked by one or more colorless creatures, it gains deathtouch until end of turn. (Any amount of damage it deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.) Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Hedron Blade
The Hedron Blade is an intriguing equipment card in Magic the Gathering, sharing the battlefield with similar artifacts designed to enhance creature abilities. When inspecting counterparts, the Bonesplitter immediately comes to mind. Both cards offer a power boost to creatures, with the Bonesplitter providing a slightly higher power increase. However, the Hedron Blade’s unique ability to assign combat damage as though the creature weren’t blocked gives it an edge in specific tactical scenarios.
Another similar artifact is the Short Sword, which offers a modest boost to both power and toughness at a low equip cost. While not as impactful in raw power, the added toughness can be crucial for survival in combat. Contrastingly, Hedron Blade’s conditional unblockable effect is singular, catering to a more aggressive playstyle and making it a pivotal tool against decks relying on heavy creature defense.
By comparing these artifacts and assessing their strategic applications, we see that Hedron Blade can define an aggressive approach, potentially converting blocked attacks into critical advantage. Its niche effect combined with a low cost makes it a distinctive option in creature-focused decks seeking to bypass defensive lines.
Cards similar to Hedron Blade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hedron Blade may seem modest, but its true potential shines in decks built to exploit its equipment nature. Each time it defeats a creature, the slight power boost can help you thin out opposing defenses, often leading to a more advantageous board state.
Resource Acceleration: While Hedron Blade doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, equipping it to a creature for a mere two mana is cost-effective. This inexpensive equip cost can accelerate your strategy, enabling you to accessorize more creatures without a significant investment, thereby streamlining your resource allocation.
Instant Speed: The instantaneity of equipping Hedron Blade allows you to adapt mid-battle. You can shift the Blade to a different creature in response to your opponent’s actions, ensuring that you’re always one step ahead in combat scenarios, making it a versatile tool in any tactical arsenal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While not applicable to the Hedron Blade itself, it’s important to be aware that some players may consider this artifact’s lack of synergy with discard strategies a drawback. Decks that capitalize on discard effects for benefits may find Hedron Blade less useful as it does not contribute to that particular mechanic.
Specific Mana Cost: Although the Hedron Blade requires only one generic mana to cast, its equip cost also demands a specific mana investment. This need for an available mana every time you wish to attach it to a different creature can sometimes be restrictive, especially in a fast-paced game where mana efficiency is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game filled with numerous low-cost equipment options, the overall mana investment to both cast and equip the Hedron Blade can be seen as high relative to its in-game effect. Considering that the blade provides only a modest power boost and a creature-type dependent deathtouch ability, players may opt for equipment that offers a greater impact for the mana spent.
Reasons to Include Hedron Blade in Your Collection
Versatility: Hedron Blade is a cost-effective equipment that can be slotted into a wide array of decks. Its ability to grant a creature +1/+1 and deathtouch against colorless creatures makes it a flexible addition, especially in formats where colorless creatures are prevalent.
Combo Potential: This modest artifact shines in synergistic pairings. With creatures that have triggered abilities upon dealing damage, Hedron Blade escalates their offensive capability. It’s not just a stat booster; it’s a tactical enabler for both aggressive and intricate game plans.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where Eldrazi or other colorless threats loom, the hedron becomes more than just an equip card—it morphs into a key tactical instrument. Its low equip cost makes it easily swappable between creatures, allowing for adaptive responses to ever-shifting battlefield conditions.
How to beat
The Hedron Blade is one notable artifact in the MTG universe boasting the ability to turn any creature into a potential threat to powerful colorless creatures. However, despite its utility, it can be countered effectively. Utilizing artifact removal spells like Naturalize or creature removal spells before the equipped creature becomes too much of a threat is a sound strategy.
Deck types rich in creature control can also provide a solid defense. Imagine countering it with cards such as Shatter or Disenchant that dismantle artifacts, thus stripping opponents of the Hedron Blade’s benefits. It’s also worth considering the efficiency of creatures with protection against artifacts. Creatures equipped with these types of abilities can bypass the potential pitfalls of facing an adversary wielding a Hedron Blade.
Strategy-wise, by prioritizing the removal of key artifacts or leveraging control spells that neutralize equipment, players can maintain dominance over the battlefield. Although the Hedron Blade can swing the tides of battle in favor of the wielder, adept MTG players will recognize the importance of artifact management and take proactive measures to ensure victory remains within reach.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hedron Blade MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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 Hedron Blade 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hedron Blade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |