Bloodsky Berserker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Berserker
Released	2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Kaldheim
Set code	KHM
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	80
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Gabor Szikszai

Key Takeaways

Enhances board presence by gaining power and menace after casting a second spell each turn.
Requires strategic hand management to maximize its ability to become a substantial threat.
Retains relevance in a fast-paced meta, excelling in decks that cast multiple spells quickly.

Text of card

Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, put two +1/+1 counters on Bloodsky Berserker. It gains menace until end of turn. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)

"Who's next?!"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Bloodsky Berserker becomes a formidable threat after casting your second spell each turn, essentially bolstering your board presence without the need for additional card investment.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Bloodsky Berserker itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its modest mana cost facilitates an aggressive playstyle that allows players to efficiently utilize their mana each turn for significant battlefield impact.

Instant Speed: While the Bloodsky Berserker operates at sorcery speed, its ability synergizes well with instant-speed spells in your deck. This interaction enables you to strategically cast a second spell on your opponent’s turn, thereby transforming the Berserker into a larger threat at a time when opponents are less prepared to respond.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the critical drawbacks of using Bloodsky Berserker in your deck is that it requires an additional commitment to capitalizing on its benefits. You must play a second spell each turn to trigger its boon, demanding more from your hand than what may sometimes be feasible.

Specific Mana Cost: Bloodsky Berserker comes with a mana cost that includes black mana. This requirement can limit the card’s versatility, making it less appealing for multicolored decks that may not focus on black mana or have a ready supply.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Bloodsky Berserker’s mana cost is not exceedingly high, in an environment where efficiency is key, its two mana cost can be a bit steep for the effect it provides. There are cards at lower mana costs that offer similar or better aggressive capabilities without the conditional requirement, potentially making Bloodsky Berserker a less optimal choice in certain aggressive strategies.

Reasons to Include Bloodsky Berserker in Your Collection

Versatility: Bloodsky Berserker shines in decks that consistently cast multiple spells each turn. This allows for aggressive strategies as well as enabling prowess-like themes across various archetypes.

Combo Potential: In decks crafted around spell-slinging, this card quickly becomes a substantial threat. With the right setup, Bloodsky Berserker works as a key piece in explosive turns, potentially swinging in for a significant amount of damage.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low mana cost and potential for rapid growth in power and toughness, Bloodsky Berserker holds its ground in fast-paced games. If the meta favors quick, creature-based strategies, including this card in your collection could provide a competitive edge.

How to beat

Bloodsky Berserker presents a unique challenge in the realm of MTG. This card shines in decks that are spell-heavy, allowing it to grow stronger with each second spell cast in a turn. Defeating this card requires a bit of strategy, as its ability to become a formidable creature with both increased power, toughness, and menace is not to be underestimated.

The most straightforward way to handle Bloodsky Berserker is to remove it before it gets a chance to garner those coveted +1/+1 counters. Utilize instant-speed removal spells, ensuring the Berserker is dealt with during your opponent’s turn, before they have the opportunity to cast the second spell that would trigger its growth. Counterspells also work wonders here, as they can negate the Berserker from ever hitting the battlefield, thus preventing any future threats.

Finally, to diminish the impact of Bloodsky Berserker’s menace ability, widen your board presence. Having multiple blockers at the ready makes it almost impossible for the Berserker to slip through unchecked, keeping you firmly in control of the game.

Cards like Bloodsky Berserker

Bloodsky Berserker stands out in the realm of aggressive creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It is reminiscent of other prowess-like creatures, such as Monastery Swiftspear. What distinguishes Bloodsky Berserker is its scaling ability where it gains +2/+2 and menace until the end of turn, provided you have already cast a second spell during that turn. While Monastery Swiftspear gains only +1/+1 through its prowess ability for each noncreature spell cast, it is able to trigger off each spell, not just the second one.

Comparatively, Adanto Vanguard offers a different approach. Although it doesn’t grow in power through casting spells, it provides resilience with its ability to gain indestructible at the cost of life. Additionally, Runaway Steam-Kin shares some similarities, boasting a buildup of power through casting red spells, which can result in additional mana generation. Nevertheless, Bloodsky Berserker’s ability to potentially become a 4/3 creature with menace makes it a unique challenge for opponents once you start chaining spells.

Hence, Bloodsky Berserker is a potent card for deck builders aiming to capitalize on casting multiple spells in a turn, rewarding strategic play with a powerful and elusive creature at a low cost.

Monastery Swiftspear - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bloodsky Berserker by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bloodsky Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Bloodsky Berserker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bloodsky Berserker has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bloodsky Berserker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2021-02-05	The triggered ability can trigger only once each turn. The ability will resolve before the second spell does. It doesn’t matter if the first spell you cast that turn has resolved, was countered, or is still on the stack.
2021-02-05	The triggered ability triggers only if the creature that has it is on the battlefield as you cast your second spell. Spells you cast in a turn before that creature entered the battlefield will count. In other words, the ability won’t trigger if the creature with the ability is the second spell you cast during a turn or if you have already cast two or more spells by the time that creature enters the battlefield that turn.