Banshee's Blade MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Number	144
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Bradley Williams

Key Takeaways

Equipped creature gains power over time, turning even minor threats into major players on the board.
This card’s lack of self-sufficiency demands a strategic approach to dealing consistent combat damage.
Banshee’s Blade excels in decks that encourage creatures to repeatedly connect with an opponent.

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each charge counter on Banshee's Blade. Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage, put a charge counter on this card. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery. This card comes into play unattached and stays in play if the creature leaves play.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Banshee’s Blade, you can steadily build up additional power and toughness on the equipped creature. This has the potential to turn even the smallest creature into a significant threat over time. By keeping the creature equipped and alive, you maintain a pressure on your opponent without needing to draw or play additional cards, subtly tipping the card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Banshee’s Blade doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, it boosts the fighting resources on the battlefield. Every time the equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, it places a charge counter on Banshee’s Blade. Each counter amplifies the creature’s offensive and defensive capabilities, effectively saving mana you might otherwise spend on spells or abilities to increase a creature’s stats.

Instant Speed: Though Banshee’s Blade itself does not operate at instant speed, it complements a strategy that includes instant speed interactions. By constantly improving a creature’s stats, your opponents must take into consideration the growing threat that can quickly end the game, potentially causing them to play more cautiously or keep mana open for instant-speed removal, which can be advantageous for tempo. The open mana you’ve conserved can be employed for protective spells like counterspells or combat tricks, thus enhancing your instant-speed play potential.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Any time you’re looking at equipping a card with potentially powerful effects, you need to weigh the cost against the benefit. In the case of Banshee’s Blade, the absence of a discard requirement might seem advantageous at first glance. However, this absence may imply that the card depends heavily on other elements to shine, such as a reliable means of dealing combat damage to a player, making it less self-sufficient.

Specific Mana Cost: Banshee’s Blade requires two specific mana types for its casting cost: one colorless and one Phyrexian black. This can pose a limitation for decks that aren’t tailored to generate these specific mana types efficiently, potentially making the blade a less versatile choice in a multi-colored or color-restricted deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an equip cost of two, Banshee’s Blade may seem fairly priced. However, it’s worth considering that its initial impact on the game is dependent on the presence of creatures to equip. Other equipment or creature buffs at similar or lower costs can provide immediate and more impactful bonuses without needing to satisfy the condition of dealing combat damage, making them potentially more appealing options for players looking to maximize mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include Banshee’s Blade in Your Collection

Versatility: Banshee’s Blade is a card that melds well with a variety of deck types. It shines in equipment-focused decks or those that seek to capitalize on creatures dealing combat damage. Its ability to accrue charge counters makes it a scalable threat that adapts as the game progresses.

Combo Potential: This card holds the potential to become a cornerstone in combo decks. It works exceptionally well in conjunction with creatures that have evasion or those that can untap multiple times, ensuring multiple instances of damage and, consequently, charge counters in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that emphasizes creature-based strategies or one where the board can be easily controlled to ensure creatures connect, Banshee’s Blade becomes increasingly potent. As the equipment enhances with each hit, it could become the key to overpowering opponents in prolonged matches.

How to beat

Banshee’s Blade is a unique equipment in the world of Magic: The Gathering, gaining a +1/+1 counter each time the equipped creature deals combat damage to a player. This feature can quickly turn even the most unassuming creature into a formidable threat on the battlefield. To effectively counter the escalating power that Banshee’s Blade provides, removal spells that target artifacts, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, are essential in your deck. These allow you to respond to the Blade’s presence instantly, preventing your opponent from gaining the momentum that could otherwise lead to your defeat.

Another strategy is to employ creature removal or damage prevention tactics, limiting the opportunities for your opponent’s creatures to connect and power up the Blade. Cards like Doom Blade or Pacifism disrupt the synergy by removing threats or neutralizing potential damage dealers. Additionally, if your opponent has managed to build a significant threat with Banshee’s Blade, board wipes such as Wrath of God ensure a clean slate, giving you the chance to regain control of the game.

Ultimately, staying ahead in the arms race against Banshee’s Blade involves a combination of artifact and creature control, keeping the opponent’s threats manageable while you work towards victory.

Cards like Banshee's Blade

Banshee’s Blade is an intriguing artifact card in Magic: The Gathering with the ability to grow stronger each time it deals combat damage to a player, acquiring charge counters to boost its wielder’s power. Looking at comparable cards, we find Bonesplitter, a straightforward equipment that consistently provides a solid power increase without the need for charge counters. This makes it a reliable choice for an immediate boost.

Another analogous card is Umezawa’s Jitte, which also collects counters upon dealing combat damage, but instead of merely boosting power, it offers versatility by allowing the use of counters for various effects. However, unlike Banshee’s Blade, Umezawa’s Jitte is not reliant on the equipped creature’s continuous success in combat to maintain its potency. Lastly, there’s Golem-Skin Gauntlets, which also benefits from having multiple artifacts in play, incrementally boosting a creature’s might. It does not require combat damage to amass power, distinguishing it from the cumulative nature of Banshee’s Blade’s effect.

When evaluating equipment cards for your MTG deck, it is essential to consider the synergy with your strategy. Banshee’s Blade may shine in decks tailored towards repeated combat success, while its counterparts may be preferred for their immediate impact or flexibility.

Golem-Skin Gauntlets - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Banshee's Blade by color, type and mana cost

Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Banshee's Blade MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Banshee's Blade and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Banshee's Blade has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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