Obsidian Battle-Axe MTG Card

Automatically equips to warriors, enhancing gameplay tempo and creature potential significantly. Mana and deck type limitations may restrict its universal application in various strategies. Possessing versatile role in Warrior decks with potential for meta influence and combo plays.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Tribal Artifact — Warrior Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Number	144
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeff Easley

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +2/+1 and has haste. Whenever a Warrior creature comes into play, you may attach Obsidian Battle-Axe to it. Equip

It's the flint that sparks a warrior's rage.

Cards like Obsidian Battle-Axe

The Obsidian Battle-Axe is an intriguing weapon of choice for fans of the Warrior tribal theme in Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct comparison is likely the Veteran’s Armaments, which gives a power and toughness boost relative to the number of soldiers controlling the equipped creature. While the Armaments cater to a different tribe, the mana-free equip condition upon casting a creature keeps it in the same conversation as the Axe.

Another comparable card is the Sword of the Animist, which comes with the benefit of land ramp each time the equipped creature attacks. Though it does not automatically attach to a creature like the Obsidian Battle-Axe, the Sword’s added advantage of consistent land growth can be a game-changer in longer matches. Then, take Gorgon’s Head, offering the invaluable deathtouch ability upon equipping. Although Gorgon’s Head lacks the power surge and tribal synergy of the Axe, the ability to turn any creature into a lethal blocker can significantly alter the board state in your favor.

In evaluating Obsidian Battle-Axe among its peers, its immediate impact on the game with the auto-equip feature combined with its tribal synchronization makes it a unique asset especially for Warrior-centric decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Sword of the Animist - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Obsidian Battle-Axe. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	Five-color Aggro	Modern		$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Hartford - Saturday - 9:00 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Obsidian Battle-Axe is adept at equipping warriors as soon as they enter the battlefield, effectively maximizing the potential of each creature card you play. This can often lead to gaining multiple benefits from a single card and maintaining pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: As an equipment with an auto-equip mechanism for warriors, it eliminates the additional mana cost and time typically required to equip creatures. This can significantly speed up your gameplay, providing an indirect form of resource acceleration by saving mana and allowing you to develop your board more quickly.

Instant Speed: While the Obsidian Battle-Axe itself is not an instant, its auto-equip feature activates at a speed that is functionally similar, attaching to any warrior the moment it hits the field. This instant equip speed serves to catch your opponents off guard, potentially leading to immediate impacts on the board state without using up precious mana during your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Obsidian Battle-Axe automatically attaches to a Warrior creature, drawing it late in the game without a Warrior in play could leave you with a useless card or even force you to discard it for another spell’s cost.

Specific Mana Cost: The Axe’s casting cost requires one black mana, potentially restricting it to decks with a strong black mana base and limiting its flexibility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, its equip cost may be considered steep, especially when evaluating the card in metagames where lower-cost equipment providing similar advantages are accessible.

Reasons to Include Obsidian Battle-Axe in Your Collection

Versatility: Obsidian Battle-Axe offers swift advantages as it automatically attaches to a Warrior as soon as one enters the battlefield. This card slips easily into Warrior-centric decks, elevating their speed and lethality, and proving its adaptability.

Combo Potential: This equipment enhances synergy within deck builds that capitalize on haste and power buffs. Equipping for no additional cost can serve as a catalyst for powerful combo plays, making Obsidian Battle-Axe a key component in aggressive strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where tempo is crucial, the ability to grant haste and a power bonus can turn the tide of a game. Meta-analysis often praises the Obsidian Battle-Axe for its impact in matches where establishing a dominant board presence quickly is a decisive factor for victory.

How to beat

The Obsidian Battle-Axe is a well-known artifact in the world of Magic the Gathering, recognized for instantly equipping to a freshly summoned warrior and boosting its prowess. While the Axe grants a warrior haste and a small power bump, it’s not invincible. Overcoming a creature boosted by Obsidian Battle-Axe can be done through a number of strategies.

Removal spells are your friends against creatures augmented by the Axe. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can efficiently get rid of an enhanced enemy before they wreak havoc. Counterspells also play a critical role; countering the Obsidian Battle-Axe itself or the creature it aims to empower can nip the problem in the bud. For players with access to enchantments, cards like Pacifism or Detention Sphere can neutralize threats without necessarily having to deal with the Axe directly.

Ultimately, the key to dismantling the strategy behind Obsidian Battle-Axe lies in anticipation and timely response. Ensuring you have the right mix of spells to address the creatures and artifacts you face is essential to maintaining control of the battlefield and emerging victorious in your Magic the Gathering duels.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Obsidian Battle-Axe 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 Obsidian Battle-Axe and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Obsidian Battle-Axe 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 Obsidian Battle-Axe card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2008-04-01	Each of these Equipment has a triggered ability that says “Whenever a -reature type] creature enters the battlefield, you may attach -his Equipment] to it.” This triggers whenever any creature of the specified creature type enters the battlefield, no matter who controls it. You may attach your Equipment to another player’s creature this way, even though you can’t do so with the equip ability.
2008-04-01	Each of these Equipment has two subtypes listed on its type line. The first one is a creature type, which in this case is also a subtype of tribal. The second one is Equipment, which is a subtype of artifact.
2008-04-01	If you attach an Equipment you control to another player’s creature, you retain control of the Equipment, but you don’t control the creature. Only you can activate the Equipment’s equip ability, and if the Equipment’s ability triggers again, you choose whether to move the Equipment. Only the creature’s controller can activate any activated abilities the Equipment grants to the creature, and “you” in any abilities granted to the creature refers to that player.