Hired Hexblade MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Warlock |
| Released | 2021-07-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms |
| Set code | AFR |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 109 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Irina Nordsol |
Text of card
When Hired Hexblade enters the battlefield, if mana from a Treasure was spent to cast it, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
"I'll take care of it. You just be sure to hold up your end of the deal."
Cards like Hired Hexblade
Hired Hexblade is a unique addition to the pool of card advantage options in Magic: The Gathering. This card offers a parallel to others like Dusk Legion Zealot, both providing an added bonus on entry. Where Hired Hexblade shines is in its potential to dig deeper into your deck by leveraging a sacrifice mechanic, as opposed to the Dusk Legion Zealot’s straightforward card draw.
Diving into another comparison, we encounter Kitesail Freebooter – a creature that also impacts what’s in hand, but through disruption rather than card draw. The Freebooter is a form of control, snatching noncreature, nonland cards and affecting opponents’ strategies. Unlike the Freebooter, Hired Hexblade’s effect is internal to your game, iterating your position without directly meddling with the other player’s hand.
Focused on expanding one’s own resources, Hired Hexblade relates to the likes of Grim Haruspex. The Haruspex rewards you for the death of other creatures, providing ongoing advantage. Hired Hexblade lacks this repeatable aspect but compensates with immediate effect upon entering the battlefield or sacrificing another creature.
In summary, Hired Hexblade serves as a solid choice to gain card advantage with its flexible trigger conditions. While comparable to various other MTG creatures, it forges its own identity with a blend of immediate value and strategic sacrifice.
Cards similar to Hired Hexblade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hired Hexblade provides players with an opportunity to draw a card if a treasure was spent to cast it, delivering a valuable exchange to keep your hand filled with options.
Resource Acceleration: As part of its abilities, the Hired Hexblade can create a Treasure token when it enters the battlefield if you control an artifact or another creature, nudging your resource pool positively and paving the way for future plays.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of this creature card is further enhanced as it can be summoned at a moment’s notice, thanks to its Flash ability. This means you can adapt swiftly to the evolving battlefield, keeping your opponents guessing and readying yourself to counteract their strategies at the most opportune time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Hired Hexblade demands a certain amount from its animators in the way of resources. One such stipulation is the necessity to relinquish a card upon unleashing its abilities. This can often place a strain on your reserve of cards, especially during the latter stages of the game when each card holds immense strategic value.
Specific Mana Cost: The Hired Hexblade’s alignment to the undercurrents of black mana makes its summoning quite particular. Such specificity asks for a commitment to swamp lands or other sources of black mana, which could curtail its inclusion in an assortment of deck builds that may not align with the swirls of shadow.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Delving into the arcane powers of the Hired Hexblade comes not without its price. This minion commands a significant offering of mana – something that practitioners of the magical duels might find steep, especially when measured against other individuals of the plane who might offer similar services for less, or bring additional capabilities for the same investment.
Reasons to Include Hired Hexblade in Your Collection
Versatility: Hired Hexblade offers adaptability for various deck builds, fitting seamlessly into strategies that require early board presence with its low casting cost and ability to impact the game quickly.
Combo Potential: This card can enable synergies within decks that capitalize on sacrificing creatures for value or exploiting death triggers, amplifying the benefits of other cards in the deck.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to influence games in the current competitive scene, Hired Hexblade matches well against numerous decks, making it a smart choice for players looking to stay competitive.
How to beat
Hired Hexblade presents a tactical challenge for MTG aficionados. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key to developing an effective counterstrategy. Like other cards that provide value when they enter the battlefield, the Hexblade necessitates a swift response. Interacting with Hired Hexblade before its controller can exploit its ability to draw a card is crucial. Holding on to instant-speed removal or bounce spells until the opponent commits to casting this creature ensures you can respond in kind and mitigate its impact.
Countering the threats posed by Hired Hexblade also involves proactive board management. Dealing with this creature before it can benefit from various synergies or equipment can hinder your opponent’s momentum. Always be mindful of effects that can recur creatures from the graveyard; in these instances, exile effects or graveyard hate cards are more effective than destruction-based removal. Knowing the broader deck context in which Hired Hexblade is used can give players insight into when and how to best neutralize it.
Ultimately, staying one step ahead of the opponent by anticipating the arrival of Hired Hexblade and maintaining versatile answers in hand is a strategic way to maintain control over the game’s flow and ensure that this card doesn’t tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hired Hexblade MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Hexblade 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 Hired Hexblade 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 |