Axe of the Warmonger MTG Card


Axe of the Warmonger - Journey into Nyx Hero's Path
RarityCommon
TypeHero Artifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip
Released2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameJourney into Nyx Hero's Path
Set codeTHP3
Number7d
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChuck Lukacs

Key Takeaways

  1. Axe of the Warmonger offers significant card advantage and the potential for a fuller hand during play.
  2. Instant speed attach ability provides strategic adaptability and surprise factor against opponents.
  3. Despite its power, the Axe’s mana constraints may limit deck-building options.

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +2/+1 and has haste. Equip


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Axe of the Warmonger enables players to equip their creatures to become more formidable threats on the battlefield. The ability to potentially draw a card each time the equipped creature deals combat damage to a player offers a recurring stream of card advantage, keeping your hand flush with options.

Resource Acceleration: By boosting the power of your creatures, this card can help you close out games more quickly. The added aggression may lead to your opponent using more resources to handle the threat, thereby indirectly accelerating your resource advantage as they deplete their own.

Instant Speed: With this equipment, the attach ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions or to switch the equipment between creatures without waiting for sorcery speed windows. This adaptability can catch opponents off guard and allow for strategic plays that capitalize on the timing of your moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Axe of the Warmonger asks players to forfeit another card from their hand, posing a challenge when their options are already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Wielders of this card must have both red and black mana available, potentially constraining deck-building strategies to a more narrow selection of compatible cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting requirement on the steeper side, players might find other cards offering similar or better effects at lower mana investments.


Reasons to Include Axe of the Warmonger in Your Collection

Versatility: Axe of the Warmonger is not just a simple equipment card. Its ability to give a creature a significant power boost makes it a dynamic addition across a variety of deck types, from aggressive red to more control-oriented builds that might benefit from a sudden surge in offensive capabilities.

Combo Potential: This powerful artifact also opens up combo possibilities, meshing well with any strategy that capitalizes on equipping creatures. It can turn even the most unassuming creature into a formidable threat, synergizing with cards that benefit from high-powered creatures or equipment interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the tides can turn quickly, Axe of the Warmonger can be especially useful. Whether you’re facing down a horde of small creatures or trying to break through a stalwart defense, its potential to shift the balance of power can make it a game-changer in the current meta.


How to beat

The Axe of the Warmonger is a powerful equipment card that can turn the tide of any Magic: The Gathering duel in favor of its wielder. When you’re up against this formidable card, your strategy needs to be as sharp as the edge of the Warmonger’s blade. Since the Axe strengthens the equipped creature with a substantial power boost and trample effect, it’s crucial to prioritize control and removal spells that can address both the Axe and its carrier. Direct removal spells like Disenchant for the Axe, or Path to Exile for enhanced creatures, can dismantle the threat efficiently.

Another strategy lies in the preventive measures: playing cards that restrict or penalize the equipping action like Stony Silence or taxing abilities with cards like Aura of Silence can hinder their ability to use their powerful equipment effectively. Additionally, chump blocking loses its effectiveness against a creature wielding the Axe due to the trample effect, therefore, ensuring you have creatures or spells that can neutralize these enhanced attacks is paramount. Ultimately, to neutralize the Axe of the Warmonger’s impact in MTG, adapt your deck to have answers ready and take a proactive stance in controlling the game’s flow.


Cards like Axe of the Warmonger

Axe of the Warmonger offers players in Magic: The Gathering a unique combination of aggressive equipment and combat enhancer. Think of its parallels to the widely used Sword of the Animist, which similarly grants power to the equipped creature and ramps up mana. However, Axe of the Warmonger provides the added menace, forcing opponents into tougher blocking decisions, unlike Sword of the Animist which focuses more on the ramp capability.

Comparing Axe of the Warmonger to Grafted Wargear, another equipment card that boosts creature stats significantly, we notice that while Grafted Wargear offers a heftier power bonus without the menace, it comes with the downside of destroying the equipped creature when unattached. Axe of the Warmonger does not have such a drawback, providing a more flexible combat strategy.

Furthermore, when assessing the strategic applications, Axe of the Warmonger stands out due to the menace ability which can be crucial for getting damage through contested boards. This trait combined with its reasonable equip cost makes it a useful tool in aggressive MTG decks looking to overcome stiff defenses and assert dominance on the battlefield.

Sword of the Animist - MTG Card versions
Grafted Wargear - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Animist - MTG Card versions
Grafted Wargear - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Axe of the Warmonger by color, type and mana cost

The Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Protector - MTG Card versions
The Slayer - MTG Card versions
The Hunter - MTG Card versions
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The Provider - MTG Card versions
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The Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
The Explorer - MTG Card versions
The Tyrant - MTG Card versions
The Warmonger - MTG Card versions
The General - MTG Card versions
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Lash of the Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Spear of the General - MTG Card versions
Cloak of the Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Destined - MTG Card versions
The Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Protector - MTG Card versions
The Slayer - MTG Card versions
The Hunter - MTG Card versions
The Harvester - MTG Card versions
The Avenger - MTG Card versions
The Warrior - MTG Card versions
The Provider - MTG Card versions
The Savant - MTG Card versions
The Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
The Explorer - MTG Card versions
The Tyrant - MTG Card versions
The Warmonger - MTG Card versions
The General - MTG Card versions
Bow of the Hunter - MTG Card versions
The Champion - MTG Card versions
Lash of the Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Spear of the General - MTG Card versions
Cloak of the Philosopher - MTG Card versions
The Destined - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Axe of the Warmonger MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx Hero's Path, 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 Axe of the Warmonger and other MTG cards:

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