Deathknell Berserker MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Berserker |
| Released | 2021-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kaldheim |
| Set code | KHM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 83 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zoltan Boros |
Key Takeaways
- Deathknell Berserker can enhance card advantage with a token upon death, if conditions are met.
- Its two mana cost allows for efficient early game plays and aggressive strategies.
- Limited by specific mana requirements, reducing its versatility across different decks.
Text of card
When Deathknell Berserker dies, if its power was 3 or greater, create a 2/2 black Zombie Berserker creature token.
"Sven felled the elf with an arrow through the chest, but moments later, the corpse rose with a sneer to fight again." —*Longbeard Saga*
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Deathknell Berserker is proficient at creating opportunities for card advantage by potentially giving you an extra creature when it dies, provided its power was 2 or greater. This extra creature can be leveraged for various strategic moves or as fodder for other abilities or spells.
Resource Acceleration: When you’re building board presence, being efficient with your resources is key. The Berserker itself is a cost-effective creature at two mana, which means it’s not only easy to summon but also facilitates smoother plays in the earlier phases of the game, setting the pace for a potentially aggressive strategy.
Instant Speed: While the Berserker itself does not operate at instant speed, the creature it potentially leaves behind when it dies could be used in combination with flash spells or during end steps, giving you the flexibility to adapt to the board state or surprise your opponent with sudden blockers or sacrificial plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Coming into play with the obligation to have another creature die can sometimes be a tough precondition to fulfill, especially if you’re facing a deck that limits creature removal or interactions on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes black mana, Deathknell Berserker’s utility is mostly relegated to mono-black or multi-colored decks that can accommodate black mana reliably, reducing versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, the Berserker offers decent stats, but in an environment rich with low-cost, high-impact creatures, there may be other two-drops that provide immediate value or superior board presence without needing to navigate additional requirements.
Reasons to Include Deathknell Berserker in Your Collection
Versatility: Deathknell Berserker is not restricted to a single deck archetype. Its low mana cost and solid stats make it a good fit in aggressive decks, while the eldrazi token it can produce upon death gives value to control or midrange strategies.
Combo Potential: Given the ability to generate a token when it dies, Deathknell Berserker synergizes well with sacrifice outlets and strategies that capitalize on creature death, enabling intricate combo plays and board presence maintenance.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where swift board development is vital, Deathknell Berserker can be an essential piece. Its relevance can spike, especially in environments where its death-trigger can be consistently exploited, establishing it as a recurrent threat in the metagame.
How to beat
Deathknell Berserker is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering that can be a real nuisance to play against. Its ability to leave something behind—a 2/2 black Zombie creature token—whenever it dies (provided it had a power of 3 or more), can give players a card advantage and board presence that may seem challenging to overcome. But there are strategies to minimize its impact and ensure that the resulting token doesn’t become a hindrance.
Effective ways to handle this pesky Berserker involve preventing its power-increase before it can trigger the token creation—cards like Shock, Frost Bite, or any other instant removal that can deal 2 damage without beefing it up. Alternatively, you can also utilize exile effects like Skyclave Apparition or Dire Tactics to remove it without triggering its death ability. This way, you not only remove the Berserker before it becomes a bigger problem, but you also deny your opponent the extra creature, keeping the battlefield under your control.
Tackling Deathknell Berserker requires a blend of timely removal and strategic planning. By doing so, you can neutralize its advantages, keeping the gameplay to your tempo and mitigating the added pressure this card aims to create on the battlefield.
Cards like Deathknell Berserker
Deathknell Berserker is an intriguing Odyssey into the world of two-drop creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with a card like Sunblade Elf, both of which offer something additional upon death or specific conditions on the battlefield. Deathknell Berserker, upon dying, is capable of leaving behind a 1/1 black Zombie token if its power was 3 or greater, adding to board presence even in demise.
Duskborne Skymarcher is another card that swings into the comparison. While it doesn’t create tokens, it belongs to the same mana value and provides a consistent support ability to boost fellow creatures. Although it lacks the self-replacing feature of Deathknell Berserker, it brings utility in the form of creature enhancement during the game. Then there’s Garrison Sergeant, which also compares in terms of flexibility. While it doesn’t replicate the token generation, it gains double strike as long as you control a Gate, providing situational offensive power.
In summarizing these comparable cards, it’s apparent that Deathknell Berserker offers a blend of aggression and post-mortem advantage, positioning it as a solid choice for players aiming to maintain board state resilience in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Deathknell Berserker by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Deathknell 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 Deathknell Berserker and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Deathknell Berserker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
