Malakir Cullblade MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 108
2020-08-13 - Number 51
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever a creature an opponent controls dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Malakir Cullblade.
Each cut stains his blade with fresh blood that he samples to increase his strength.
Cards like Malakir Cullblade
Malakir Cullblade is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that thrives in environments where creatures frequently perish. It’s akin to Vampire Nighthawk, which also benefits from an opponent’s losses, albeit through lifelink and deathtouch. However, Malakir Cullblade gains +1/+1 counters, becoming a potential powerhouse on the battlefield.
Another relative in this category is Blood Artist, which reaps rewards from death triggers, granting you life and sapping your opponents’ health with each creature’s demise. Though it doesn’t grow in strength like Malakir Cullblade, Blood Artist can deter opponents from removing creatures, shifting the game’s dynamics. Blade of the Bloodchief stands out too, a powerful artifact that bulks up a solitary vampire whenever any creature dies.
In essence, Malakir Cullblade carves out a unique niche among MTG cards that leverage demise for an advantage. While it lacks the immediate impact of some alternatives, its growing threat makes it a strategic choice in decks built around creature control.
Cards similar to Malakir Cullblade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: As your opponents’ creatures perish, Malakir Cullblade becomes a stronger force on the battlefield. This card can potentially snowball into a major threat, outpacing your adversary with an increasingly powerful attacker that can turn the tide of a game.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct source of mana or tokens, having a growing creature like Malakir Cullblade can apply pressure and demand responses from your opponent. As they deal with the Cullblade, they may have to expend resources and divert attention from their own strategic plays, indirectly accelerating your game plan as you maintain board presence.
Instant Speed: While Malakir Cullblade itself does not operate at instant speed, it interacts favorably with instant-speed removal spells you control. Eliminate threats on your opponent’s turn and watch as the Cullblade grows, turning your instantaneous reactions into long-term advantages.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Boosting Malakir Cullblade’s power hinges on the destruction of opposing creatures. While this can synergize well with removal-heavy decks, it’s reliant on your opponent having creatures to destroy, which could be limiting against control or creature-light strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one black mana and a generic mana, this card fits primarily into black or multicolor decks with a black component. Its inclusion in decks outside this spectrum can be challenging due to mana base considerations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though two mana isn’t excessive, in the competitive arena, other two-mana creatures can often offer more immediate board presence or value. Considering this, the Malakir Cullblade can be seen as an investment that may not always pay off, especially if the game state doesn’t support its growth mechanic.
Reasons to Include Malakir Cullblade in Your Collection
Versatility: Malakir Cullblade is a highly adaptable card that can be included in various deck types. It thrives in strategies focused on creature removal, making it particularly useful in black-aligned decks that aim to control the board.
Combo Potential: This card grows stronger with each creature that dies, pairing excellently with cards that force opponents to sacrifice creatures or with mechanics like deathtouch to guarantee creature deaths. This synergistic potential is what makes Malakir Cullblade a great inclusion for combo-centric players.
Meta-Relevance: Given that aggressive and creature-heavy decks are commonly played, Malakir Cullblade has the ability to turn the tide by becoming a significant threat as the game progresses. Its capacity to escalate in power makes it a card worth considering, especially in a meta game where creature combat is prevalent.
How to beat
Malakir Cullblade is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, with a potential to become a formidable force on the battlefield. Each time an opponent’s creature dies, it gets stronger by garnering +1/+1 counters. One effective strategy to counter this escalating threat is by controlling the creature environment. Prioritize removing opponents’ creatures through exile effects or bouncing them to the hand, rather than allowing them to be destroyed and fuel the Cullblade’s growth.
To further mitigate the Cullblade’s impact, employ cards that restrict counter placements or utilize artifacts and enchantments like Pithing Needle, which can prevent activated abilities from being used. It’s also advantageous to use board wipes that circumvent the Cullblade’s ability or setup scenarios where no death triggers occur. It’s essential to deal with this card swiftly, as a few unchecked turns can quickly lead to an overwhelming advantage for the Cullblade wielder.
Whether you’re pitting creatures that can outpace the Cullblade’s growth or implementing control strategies that sidestep death triggers, there’s a multitude of ways to ensure that this deceptively threatening card doesn’t cut your game short.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Malakir Cullblade MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Arena Beginner Set, 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 Malakir Cullblade 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
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Printings
The Malakir Cullblade Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 108 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Arena Beginner Set | ANB | 51 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Malakir Cullblade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |