Scarblade Elite MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elf Assassin
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	77
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Staples

Key Takeaways

Scarblade Elite offers repeatable creature removal by discarding Assassin cards, enhancing graveyard strategies.
Its specific mana and discard requirements may limit deck compatibility, impacting overall versatility.
Despite cons, inclusion in assassin-themed or graveyard-centric decks can be highly advantageous.

Text of card

, Remove an Assassin card in your graveyard from the game: Destroy target creature.

"Rejoice, eyeblight. In your last hours above the earth, those who bury you will finally make you beautiful."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scarblade Elite offers a unique form of card advantage by allowing its controller to repeatedly remove creatures from the game. With enough Assassins in your graveyard, it can clear multiple threats over the course of a game.

Resource Acceleration: While Scarblade Elite doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense, the ability to eliminate opposing creatures can indirectly accelerate your board presence, paving the way for attacking without obstruction.

Instant Speed: The activated ability of Scarblade Elite can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to threats during your opponent’s turn or at the end of their turn to strategically control the battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Scarblade Elite demands that you discard another Assassin card to activate its ability, which can be detrimental if your hand lacks suitable cards or if depleting your hand could leave you vulnerable.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires black mana, which necessitates a dedicated or dual-color mana base, potentially restricting its inclusion to particular archetypes or hindering its playability in multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that also requires tapping, Scarblade Elite’s ability may have a steeper mana investment compared to other removal options, making it less efficient in fast-paced games or in matches where mana economy is crucial.

Reasons to Include Scarblade Elite in Your Collection

Versatility: Scarblade Elite offers a unique ability to assassinate creatures by discarding a card. This allows it to slide comfortably into assassin-themed or control decks needing creature management without relying on traditional spells.

Combo Potential: This card thrives on synergy with others that care about cards being discarded, enhancing graveyard strategies or enabling reanimator tactics. Pairing it with cards that return creatures from the graveyard can create a recurring removal engine.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that’s heavy with significant creature threats, Scarblade Elite’s targeted removal ability remains pertinent, adapting seamlessly to shift the board in your favor and disrupt your opponents’ plans.

How to Beat

Scarblade Elite stands as a unique creature in MTG, thanks to its specific assassin synergy. Its ability to remove creatures from the game by simply discarding another assassin card from your hand can be quite powerful in the right deck. Overcoming this creature often involves outpacing the card advantage it generates or using removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes, to bypass its built-in mechanics.

To tackle Scarblade Elite effectively, consider strategies that limit hand cards, such as discard effects that force your opponent to use up their resources prematurely. Moreover, giving your creatures indestructible or regenerative abilities can frustrate the Elite’s removal power. Engaging in graveyard hate is another avenue, as it prevents the retrieval of the assassin cards needed to fuel its ability.

Ultimately, the key to outplaying Scarblade Elite resides in disrupting its synergies, neutralizing its removal power, and applying pressure that can’t be addressed by its specific creature removal. Cards like Leyline of the Void, Rest in Peace, or even Tormod’s Crypt can be a thorn in the side for any Scarblade Elite strategy.

Cards like Scarblade Elite

Scarblade Elite enters the battlefield as a unique asset for players who enjoy leveraging their graveyard. In comparison with other assassination cards, like Nekrataal, Scarblade Elite offers a repeatable kill effect. Unlike Nekrataal, which offers a one-time use upon entering the battlefield, Scarblade Elite can eliminate creatures multiple times, at the mere cost of discarding a card.

Golgari Thug is another staple in graveyard-utilizing decks, but its role is more about recurring creatures from the graveyard to the top of the library, rather than direct removal. Meanwhile, the Elite requires an accumulation of Elf cards in the yard to realize its full potential, differentiating it from the straightforward utility of Nekrataal or the deck-cycling nature of Golgari Thug.

Assessing its standing among creature removal options, Scarblade Elite offers flexibility and a potentially repeatable solution for creature-heavy matches. This strategic advantage, especially in decks designed around Elf synergies or graveyard manipulation, allows Scarblade Elite’s strength and utility to shine in the right environment.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scarblade Elite MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Scarblade Elite and other MTG cards: