Hired Blade MTG Card
2018-07-13 - Number 100
2019-11-07 - Number 686
2024-07-05 - Number 299
2020-09-26 - Number M19-100
Text of card
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.)
"If you want them dead, buy some poison. If you want them to have the worst day of their life before dying, then let's talk price."
Cards like Hired Blade
Hired Blade stands as an interesting option among creatures within the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. Its attributes may be measured against cards like Duskhunter Bat, another creature which can be a formidable force due to the potential enhancement from its bloodthirst ability. While Hired Blade offers a steady and reliable 3/2 creature with flash for three mana, Duskhunter Bat starts smaller but can grow stronger depending on the game state.
Then there’s Vampire Cutthroat, which, like Hired Blade, brings evasion to the table with its skulk ability, making it unblockable to creatures with greater power. However, it lacks the flash capability, which gives Hired Blade the surprise factor, allowing it to be played at the end of an opponent’s turn or as an unexpected blocker. Lastly, there’s another comparable stealth operative, Pestilent Kathari, which, though it has a potentially more powerful deathtouch ability, suffers from a higher mana cost and less straightforward play value compared to the instant-speed readiness of Hired Blade.
All considered, Hired Blade finds its niche in the realm of surprise tactics and solid stats for its cost, asserting its position as a worthy consideration for decks demanding nimble and unanticipated responses.
Cards similar to Hired Blade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hired Blade may not directly offer card draw, but its stealth and efficiency help maintain card economy on the battlefield. By staying on the board and removing threats, it effectively adds value to your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Hired Blade itself doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense, its affordable casting cost makes it a cost-effective play. This allows for more flexibility in using mana resources throughout the game.
Instant Speed: Hired Blade can be cast at instant speed, thanks to its Flash ability. This gives you the tactical advantage of surprising your opponent by bringing a creature onto the battlefield during their turn or after they’ve committed to an attack or strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Hired Blade often necessitates discarding another card. This requirement can be detrimental if your hand is already depleted. In situations when maintaining card advantage is crucial, this can be especially punishing and might set you back compared to your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Hired Blade has a mana cost that includes black mana. This specificity means that the card is only suitable for decks that run black mana or have a mana base that can reliably produce it. Consequently, this restricts the card’s versatility and can limit deck-building options, as it doesn’t easily fit into just any archetype.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Hired Blade’s stats and abilities may not align with the current meta’s efficiency standards. Other three-mana creatures can provide greater value or more impactful board presence, leaving Hired Blade to pale in comparison when it comes to optimizing your play for the mana spent.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hired Blade’s flash ability allows it to be played at the end of an opponent’s turn, keeping mana available for other spells and surprises. This makes it a flexible addition to decks that prioritize instant-speed interaction.
Combo Potential: As a creature with a relatively low cost, Hired Blade can synergize with mechanics that care about the number of creatures you summon, such as those found in ninja or rogue decks that benefit from having numerous evasive units.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where the board is constantly being threatened by removal spells, having a creature that can be safely cast after your opponent is tapped out can be crucial. Hired Blade fits well into metas that require careful timing and where instant-speed threats give you an edge over sorcery-speed defenses.
How to beat
Hired Blade may seem like a straightforward creature card in MTG, with its flash ability allowing for unexpected blocks or end-of-turn plays, but it comes with its own set of vulnerabilities. One effective strategy is to take advantage of its three toughness. Direct damage spells like Shock or Lightning Strike can take out Hired Blade before it ever gets a chance to become a threat or contribute to the battlefield. Other removal options include creature-based spells like Cast Down or Fatal Push which can handle a variety of threats including Hired Blade.
Moreover, since it’s a creature that relies on the element of surprise, countering it with instant speed spells when it’s cast can negate the strategic advantage it could provide. Don’t forget the power of board wipes as well. A timely Wrath of God or Damnation will clear the field, including any sneaky Hired Blades. Finally, remember that Hired Blade is a creature with no innate protection, so even if it lands on the battlefield, you can easily deal with it during your turn with sorcery speed removal if necessary.
Overall, though Hired Blade offers flexibility and can catch opponents off guard, with careful planning and the right set of spells, its impact on the game can be minimized, ensuring that your path to victory remains unobstructed.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hired Blade MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 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 Hired 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
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Printings
The Hired Blade Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2024-07-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Behm | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 686 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Behm | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | M19-100 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Behm | ||
| 4 | 2024-07-05 | Assassin's Creed | ACR | 299 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Elizabeth Peiró |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hired Blade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.