Dead-Iron Sledge MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin
Set code	MRD
Number	162
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ray Lago

Key Takeaways

Dead-Iron Sledge offers removal potential over multiple turns without extra card costs.
Its instant speed attachment disrupts enemy combat plans, giving strategic control.
Equipping Dead-Iron Sledge is a gamble due to its creature discard requirement.

Text of card

Whenever equipped creature blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, destroy that creature and equipped creature. 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: Dead-Iron Sledge offers a unique type of card advantage by potentially removing multiple opposing creatures over the course of a game without the need to expend additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While not a resource accelerator in the traditional sense, the efficient mana cost of Dead-Iron Sledge allows for a flexible mana curve, enabling you to deploy other spells sooner while still impacting the board.

Instant Speed: The ability to attach Dead-Iron Sledge at instant speed during the equip phase can disrupt your opponent’s combat strategies, creating a tactical edge when timing is critical.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Dead-Iron Sledge provides an interactive angle in gameplay, it necessitates the discard of a card upon the death of the equipped creature. This requirement can be a serious setback when your hand is already depleted of cards.

Specific Mana Cost: This equipment card demands both black and red mana for activation. This geographical limitation confines the card’s applicability to specific deck builds, predominantly favoring black and red combinations, and can be less versatile for players running a broader color spectrum in their decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Dead-Iron Sledge’s utility is hampered by its overall mana investment. When considering the mana cost to cast and then equip the artifact to a creature, it might appear inefficient compared to other options. Players might be reluctant to allocate such resources for an effect that’s available through less demanding cards.

Reasons to Include Dead-Iron Sledge in Your Collection

Versatility: Dead-Iron Sledge can be a useful tool in decks that are defined by a tight defense strategy. Its ability to equip a creature with the potential to destroy another creature upon contact makes it a versatile choice for controlling opponents’ threats.

Combo Potential: With its low equip cost, this equipment card pairs well with creatures that have tap abilities or those that benefit from being targeted by spells or abilities, amplifying your tactical advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where creature-based strategies dominate, equipping a defender with Dead-Iron Sledge could deter attackers or remove key creatures, making it a timely addition to your arsenal.

How to beat

Dead-Iron Sledge is an equipment card that can be tricky for MTG players due to its ability to destroy creatures it equips if they become tapped. It’s comparable to other deterrent equipment like Pacifism, which restrains a creature from attacking or blocking without being as lethal. However, the Sledge has the unique feature of dealing with creatures in a more permanent manner.

To effectively counteract Dead-Iron Sledge, consider using cards that prevent tapping or creatures that don’t need to tap to be effective. Vigilance is a key ability in this scenario, as it enables your creatures to attack without becoming tapped. Additionally, you could use instant-speed removal to dispatch the equipped creature before it becomes a problem or even use enchantment removals such as Disenchant to directly target Dead-Iron Sledge itself.

Remember, Dead-Iron Sledge hinges on the creature being tapped to activate its destructive ability, so if you can keep your territorial giants untapped or have means to bypass the Sledge altogether, you maintain the advantage. In essence, plan your strategy by understanding the inherent limitations of Dead-Iron Sledge and prepare suitable countermeasures in your deck to ensure your creatures survive the battlefield.

Cards like Dead-Iron Sledge

Dead-Iron Sledge is an intriguing equipment card that has a unique place in MTG decks focused on control and removal. It shares some commonalities with cards that grant a deterrent effect against attacking creatures, much like the classic card Pacifism. While Pacifism prevents a creature from attacking or blocking altogether, Dead-Iron Sledge requires a bit of strategy, deterring attacks by threatening destruction upon dealing damage.

Another comparable card is Inquisitor’s Flail, which also doubles the damage done to and by the equipped creature. Though not identical, both cards can significantly alter combat outcomes. Dead-Iron Sledge, at a single mana cost, can be equipped faster, but unlike the Flail, it guarantees the equipped creature’s destruction upon inflicting damage, making it a double-edged sword.

Briefly touching on comparisons, Dead-Iron Sledge finds kinship with cards like Basilisk Collar. While the Collar is used to promote creature longevity and grind out advantages through lifelink and deathtouch, the Sledge is purely used as a sacrificial measure to dissuade opponents from attacking. The card finds a niche use in strategies that exploit the sacrifice of creatures for larger gains.

Cards similar to Dead-Iron Sledge by color, type and mana cost

Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions

Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dead-Iron Sledge 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 Dead-Iron Sledge and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dead-Iron Sledge has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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