Mindblade Render MTG Card


Catalyzes card advantage through combat, essential for decks focused on warrior synergies and aggressive strategies. The card’s specific mana requirements and high cost necessitate careful deck construction to maximize effectiveness. Pairs well with warrior creatures, sustaining pressure on opponents while ensuring a steady flow of card advantage.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Azra Warrior
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever your opponents are dealt combat damage, if any of that damage was dealt by a Warrior, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.

"There will be no secrets between us... like it or not."


Cards like Mindblade Render

Mindblade Render is an intriguing creature card, offering card draw benefits through combat in Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities resonate with those of Dark Confidant, which permits a player to draw an extra card and lose life equal to that card’s mana value at the beginning of their upkeep. While both cards present a draw strategy, Mindblade Render’s ability is conditional on dealing combat damage to a player and offers a life loss ceiling of 4, preventing potentially high life deductions that Dark Confidant could inflict.

Another peer in this category is Azra Oddsmaker, which also leverages combat for card advantage. Players may discard a card to grant a creature the ability to draw two cards if it deals combat damage to a player. This further emphasizes a risk-versus-reward mechanic that can pay off well in aggressive decks. Finally, there’s Edric, Spymaster of Trest, offering a similar card drawing mechanic. Each time a creature deals combat damage to an opponent, its controller can draw a card. Edric can potentially generate even more card advantage but requires a higher number and variety of evasive creatures to optimize its effectiveness.

Choosing between these card draw engines depends on the deck’s strategy and play style. However, Mindblade Render ensures a balanced mix of risk and reward, making it a noteworthy choice for players looking to blend aggressive creature play with a steady card advantage.

Dark Confidant - MTG Card versions
Azra Oddsmaker - MTG Card versions
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - MTG Card versions
Dark Confidant - MTG Card versions
Azra Oddsmaker - MTG Card versions
Edric, Spymaster of Trest - MTG Card versions

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Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mindblade Render is pivotal in card draw engines, allowing you to snag an extra card every time a Warrior you control deals combat damage to a player. This can quickly snowball into a formidable advantage, outpacing your opponent’s resources as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources in the traditional sense of producing mana, the card advantage provided by Mindblade Render can lead to an indirect form of acceleration. More cards in hand mean a greater chance of hitting land drops and casting multiple spells per turn, effectively accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although the Render itself isn’t an instant, it facilitates a potent synergy with instant-speed tricks. By keeping mana available, you can cast combat tricks or flash-in Warriors during combat, ensuring damage connects and triggering the Render’s ability to draw cards at the most opportune time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Any card that necessitates discarding as part of its play mechanics can sometimes backfire, particularly if your hand is already depleted or if you’re up against strategies that punish low hand sizes.

Specific Mana Cost: Mindblade Render demands both black and generic mana, which might restrict its utility to decks that can reliably generate both types of mana, notably outside mono-black or black-inclusive multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment required to get Mindblade Render onto the battlefield may be high considering other cards at a lower cost offer similar or greater levels of card advantage or board presence. This cost analysis is critical when tuning your deck for peak performance.


Reasons to Include Mindblade Render in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindblade Render finds its place in a multitude of deck builds, particularly those valuing the synergy between card draw and warrior tribal interactions. Its ability to consistently provide card advantages makes it a formidable addition to various strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with other warrior-type creatures, as it allows you to capitalize on each warrior’s attack, turning aggression into card draw and life loss for opponents. It’s a key component in decks that aim to win by overwhelming the board with creatures while maintaining card flow.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to enable aggressive plays while refilling your hand, Mindblade Render maintains relevance in metas that swing between creature-heavy decks and those requiring constant pressure on opponents. Its unique intersection of offense and card advantage positions it as a tactical asset in numerous match-ups.


How to beat

Mindblade Render thrives in decks filled with Warrior creatures, rewarding players for combat with card draw and life loss for the opponent. To effectively counter this card, prioritize removal spells that can handle creatures at a low cost. Cards like Fatal Push and Path to Exile excel in this role, offering an answer before the Render’s ability triggers. Negating the advantage Mindblade Render provides is crucial, as allowing it to remain on the battlefield could lead to a significant card advantage for your opponent.

Another tactic involves restricting your opponent’s ability to swarm the board with Warrior creatures, thus limiting Mindblade Render’s usefulness. Board wipes like Damnation or Wrath of God can reset the playing field. Should Mindblade Render slip through your defenses, it’s essential to maintain a full hand, as cards such as Thoughtseize can remove it before it even hits the board. Managing the field and preemptive disruption are your best bets against Mindblade Render’s card draw potential.

Tapping into these strategies can tilt the duel in your favor, rendering Mindblade Render just another creature that couldn’t cut through your defenses, ensuring your path to victory in the complex and ever-strategic game of MTG remains clear.


BurnMana Recommendations

As tactics unfold on the MTG battlefield, Mindblade Render can be a strategic asset in the right deck. Navigating the synergy between warrior creatures and drawing cards is crucial for staying ahead. When you weave Mindblade Render into your strategy effectively, you transform combat gains into a steady stream of resources. It’s about creating a fine balance, achieving consistent advantages while being mindful of its cost and deck constraints. Eager to optimize your warrior-based deck? Dive deeper with us for a comprehensive insight into utilizing Mindblade Render to sharpen your edge and carve your path to victory in MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindblade Render MTG card by a specific set like Battlebond and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Mindblade Render and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mindblade Render Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-06-08 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Mitchell Malloy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-06-08BattlebondBBD 492015NormalBlackMitchell Malloy
22022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7622015NormalBlackMitchell Malloy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindblade Render has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-06-08 Mindblade Render's ability triggers if a Warrior an opponent controls deals combat damage to another player who's also your opponent. You can't choose not to draw a card or lose 1 life if this happens.
2018-06-08 Mindblade Render's ability triggers only once, regardless of how many opponents were dealt damage, how much damage they were dealt, or how many Warriors dealt damage.