Sheoldred's Headcleaver MTG Card

Generates card advantage by replacing itself in hand after dealing damage. Creates Blood tokens for resource acceleration and hand manipulation. Blood tokens activate at instant speed, offering strategic flexibility.

Sheoldred's Headcleaver - Phyrexia: All Will Be One

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Warrior
Abilities	Menace,Toxic
Released	2023-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Phyrexia: All Will Be One
Set code	ONE
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	109
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Andrey Kuzinskiy

Text of card

Menace Toxic 2 (Players dealt combat damage by this creature also get two poison counters.)

The punishment for sedition, like every other crime in the Dross Pits, is execution.

Cards like Sheoldred's Headcleaver

In the dynamic world of Magic: The Gathering, Sheoldred’s Headcleaver carves out its niche among creature cards with a penchant for combat and card advantage. It echoes the functionality of cards like Ravenous Chupacabra, which also offers a when-enters-the-battlefield creature destruction effect. However, Sheoldred’s Headcleaver ups the ante by allowing you to draw a card if a creature dies during your turn, irrespective of whose creature it is, adding a layer of strategical depth.

As we delve deeper, Fleshbag Marauder stands as another relative, demanding each player to sacrifice a creature upon entry. The difference lies in Sheoldred’s Headcleaver’s ability to target, providing more control over the battlefield. Additionally, if your Headcleaver survives the fray, it can pave the way for repetitive card draw, an edge distinct from the one-time effect of Fleshbag Marauder.

Ultimately, Sheoldred’s Headcleaver’s blend of targeted creature destruction and potential card advantage aligns it closely with staple MTG removal cards, yet it boasts an accumulative benefit that may tip the scales in many game situations.

Cards similar to Sheoldred's Headcleaver by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sheoldred’s Headcleaver gives players the ability to replace itself in your hand immediately upon dealing combat damage, maintaining your card resources. This factor is crucial as it keeps your hand fueled with options while putting pressure on the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: The capacity of this card to create Blood tokens upon dealing combat damage is a subtle form of resource acceleration. These tokens don’t just represent potential card draw but also the flexibility to refine your hand and manipulate your next draws, an invaluable asset during tight matches.

Instant Speed: Whilst Sheoldred’s Headcleaver itself isn’t played at instant speed, the Blood tokens generated can be activated at instant speed, offering significant versatility. This advantage can be particularly impactful, as you can adapt to the fluidity of the game, using these tokens when most advantageous — be it during your opponents’ end step or unexpected moments that could swing the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Sheoldred’s Headcleaver, players face the strategic hurdle of having to part with a card from their hand. This can pose a challenge, especially in tight situations where each card’s value is paramount, and resources are already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise configuration of mana to cast—two colorless and two black—a requirement that has implications for deck construction. Not all decks can accommodate such specific needs without affecting their mana base, potentially limiting the card’s inclusion to mono-black or heavy black decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of four mana for its activation, Sheoldred’s Headcleaver enters a competitive slot. It’s true that the card comes with a formidable ability, but its cost-effectiveness can be questioned when weighed against other options. Players often compare cards based on their mana efficiency, and in some cases, cards with lower mana requirements may offer a more immediate impact on the game or a better ratio of cost to power.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sheoldred’s Headcleaver offers a flexible option for various deck builds. This card can seamlessly fit into aggressive strategies with its ability to disrupt opponent plays while providing a solid creature for your battle line.

Combo Potential: The sacrifice trigger tied to this card opens up a myriad of combo possibilities. Whether you’re looking to leverage death triggers or need a reliable way to send cards to the graveyard for other synergies, Sheoldred’s Headcleaver is a worthwhile addition.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to counter creature-heavy decks, Sheoldred’s Headcleaver is particularly useful in today’s dynamic meta. Its impact on board presence makes it an asset in matches against a field of varied strategies.

How to beat

Sheoldred’s Headcleaver steps into the battlefield with a mix of intimidation and strategic depth, making it a formidable card to contend with. Its ability to grant card advantage while presenting a lethal threat can shift the game’s balance quickly. To effectively counteract this power, one must consider removals that can handle both the creature itself and the potential reanimation shenanigans. Board wipes are a solid answer, ensuring that Sheoldred’s Headcleaver doesn’t get a chance to cut down your forces.

Stacking your deck with instant-speed interaction can keep you a step ahead, as it allows you to respond before the reanimation ability triggers. Additionally, exile effects offer a permanent solution against this durable threat, rendering its reanimation ability useless. Beware, though, as relying solely on targeted removal can be a risk; efficient use of resources, and perhaps a dash of graveyard hate, may be needed to truly keep Sheoldred’s Headcleaver in check.

Facing Sheoldred’s Headcleaver requires a blend of tactical removal and a keen sense of timing. By disrupting your opponent’s plans and carefully managing your own threats, you can turn the tide against this formidable adversary in your next Magic: The Gathering duel.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sheoldred's Headcleaver MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Sheoldred's Headcleaver and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sheoldred's Headcleaver has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal