Mardu Hateblade MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 16
2014-09-26 - Number 16y
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Mardu Hateblade’s instant speed deathtouch disrupts combat, posing a constant threat to opponents.
- Its mana efficiency allows for flexible board development and strategic resource allocation.
- The specific mana requirement may limit deck inclusion, impacting its overall versatility.
Text of card
: Mardu Hateblade gains deathtouch until end of turn. (Any amount of damage it deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)
"There may be little honor in my tactics, but there is no honor in losing."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mardu Hateblade offers strategic depth by enabling interactions that can disrupt your opponent’s plays, potentially leading to a card advantage if used effectively in conjunction with other cards.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, the Mardu Hateblade can efficiently utilize small amounts of mana, allowing you to develop your board while still holding resources for critical plays.
Instant Speed: The activation of Mardu Hateblade’s deathtouch ability can be performed at instant speed, offering surprise defensive potential and making it dangerous for opponents to engage in combat without considering the consequences.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In some scenarios, the Mardu Hateblade may force players into a tough position where they have to discard cards to enable its full potential. This can be a setback if your hand is already depleted and you can’t afford to lose additional resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The Mardu Hateblade requires a precise mana combination to cast. The necessity for both white and black mana can potentially hinder its inclusion in decks that are not aligned with the Mardu color identity or those that have a less stable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the Mardu Hateblade isn’t the most expensive creature you’ll encounter, its mana cost may appear steep for its initial impact on the board. Other creatures or spells with similar or lower costs might provide a more immediate advantage or deliver a stronger presence, making it less appealing in a mana-efficient strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mardu Hateblade’s ability to gain deathtouch makes it a flexible addition to your arsenal. It poses a threat to bigger creatures, making it a reliable piece in various deck structures that value potent blockers or aggressive one-drop creatures.
Combo Potential: Equipping or enhancing this creature with other cards can lead to powerful synergies, especially in decks built around the warrior tribe or those that utilize the prowess feature of inexpensive spells to trigger deathtouch.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having Mardu Hateblade ready can be a strategic counter. Its low cost and potential for removal via deathtouch can disrupt your opponent’s tempo and protect your life total effectively.
How to beat Mardu Hateblade
Mardu Hateblade is a versatile creature card that can prove to be a thorn in the side of many players due to its deathtouch ability when mana is available to activate it. To effectively counteract this card, it is essential to either remove it before the deathtouch ability is activated or mitigate its effect on the game. Cards that can exile or bounce creatures back to the owner’s hand are particularly effective here.
One strategy is to employ instant-speed removal spells that can eliminate the Hateblade in response to the activation of its ability. This requires timing and a keen sense of when your opponent is likely to invest in making the Hateblade a more dangerous blocker or attacker. Additionally, playing creatures with high toughness can often deter a Mardu Hateblade from attacking or blocking, thus minimizing its impact on the game. Board wipes also serve as a clean solution, clearing the Hateblade along with other threats your opponent may have developed.
Ultimately, while Mardu Hateblade can create strategic advantages for its controller, understanding its weaknesses and maintaining board control with well-timed removal or creatures that can withstand its attack will keep this creature in check. By sticking to this game plan, you can dampen the influence of Mardu Hateblade and maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Cards like Mardu Hateblade
Mardu Hateblade holds its position in the array of warrior-oriented cards in Magic: The Gathering. It invites comparisons to other low-cost creatures like Dragon Hunter, which also costs one mana. However, Mardu Hateblade’s unique offering is its deathtouch ability, which can be activated at a moment’s notice, requiring only a single white mana. Dragon Hunter does not boast such a defensive trick, but instead offers protection from larger dragon foes.
Then there’s Tormented Hero, another one-mana black creature with a different take. Unlike Mardu Hateblade’s potential as a defensive staple, Tormented Hero leans towards aggressive strategies, dealing damage to your opponent whenever it becomes the target of a spell that also helps it to pave the way for a swift victory. This emphasizes the flexibility of one-mana creatures in MTG, each tailored for specific strategies, be it defensive reliability or offensive power.
To sum it all up, Mardu Hateblade stands out as an advantageous option for decks that anticipate head-to-head combat with larger threats, providing a cost-effective tool to neutralize formidable adversaries. It’s a valuable addition, playing a key role in decks built around warriors and those seeking a strategic edge in creature combat.
Cards similar to Mardu Hateblade by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mardu Hateblade MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Khans of Tarkir, 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 Mardu Hateblade 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
Printings
The Mardu Hateblade Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2014-09-26. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 16 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee | |
| 2 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 16y | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nathaniel Himawan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mardu Hateblade 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 |
