Surrakar Spellblade MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 90
2015-05-22 - Number 60
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Surrakar |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may put a charge counter on Surrakar Spellblade. Whenever Surrakar Spellblade deals combat damage to a player, you may draw X cards, where X is the number of charge counters on it.
Cards like Surrakar Spellblade
Delving into blue’s arsenal in the realm of MTG, Surrakar Spellblade carves its niche among creatures that grow or provide benefits with spell casting. It shares a thematic link with cards like Wee Dragonauts, which also benefits each time an instant or sorcery spell is cast. However, the Spellblade stands out by potentially drawing multiple cards rather than pumping up power temporarily.
Another comparable card is Niv-Mizzet, Parun, who not only grants card draw on casting an instant or sorcery but also deals damage in the process. Here, the Spellblade leans more on the resource accumulation side, lacking direct damage but excelling in refilling the hand aggressively given the right conditions. Enigma Drake is another contender, it bases its power on the number of instants and sorceries in your graveyard, creating a persistent threat rather than an immediate card advantage like our Surrakar friend.
In assessing these options, Surrakar Spellblade holds a unique position, combining aggressive potential card draw with the classic blue strategy of casting numerous spells, it can indeed be a powerful asset in decks that favor a storm of spells approach.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Surrakar Spellblade hits an opponent, it allows you to potentially draw multiple cards with its triggered ability. This effect enhances your hand, supplying a steady flow of resources and keeping you ahead in the game.
Resource Acceleration: Although Surrakar Spellblade does not provide direct mana acceleration, the cards drawn from its ability can lead to more land drops or spells that generate additional resources, indirectly accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Surrakar Spellblade synergizes well with instant spells, as casting them on your opponent’s turn not only disrupts their strategy but also beefs up the Spellblade for a more impactful attack on your turn, yielding a greater card draw.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Surrakar Spellblade necessitates successfully casting an instant or sorcery for its ability to trigger. This can become a stumbling block when you’re in a tight spot without those card types, denying you the card draw advantage it can provide.
Specific Mana Cost: With a blue-centric double blue mana in its casting cost, the Spellblade firmly roots itself in blue decks, restricting its flexibility across various deck types that may not support heavy blue mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its casting cost at three mana including two blue, it can be challenging to deploy Surrakar Spellblade early enough, especially in fast-paced games where lower cost creatures could be more impactful.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Surrakar Spellblade offers flexibility across multiple deck archetypes. It thrives in environments that encourage spell-slinging, allowing you to supplement your hand while pressuring opponents.
Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to draw multiple cards can turn the tide by enabling synergies with spells that benefit from casting multiple instants and sorceries, such as those that untap lands or grant bonuses for the number of spells cast.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where non-creature spells shape the battlefield, Surrakar Spellblade’s card advantage can be a game-changer. Its relevance increases further in metas dominated by slower, controlling decks.
How to beat
Surrakar Spellblade can be quite the challenge to tackle in a game of MTG. Its ability to amass card advantage when casting instants or sorceries makes it a formidable foe. To efficiently deal with the Spellblade, it’s crucial to prevent those triggers from firing off. One effective method is to limit the number of spells cast during your turn. This strategy forces the Spellblade’s controller to act on their own turn, exposing them to your countermeasures.
Another reliable measure is to use targeted removal spells before the Spellblade can accumulate and draw those extra cards. Instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can get the job done quickly and efficiently. If removal isn’t an option, employing counterspells to neutralize the instants and sorceries that trigger the Spellblade’s ability can also be effective. Lastly, pressure with creatures can force unfavorable blocks or divert the opponent’s resources, reducing the potential impact of the Spellblade on the game’s outcome.
Combining disruption with a strategic approach allows you to handle Surrakar Spellblade, shutting down its card advantage engine and tilting the odds in your favor for the rest of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Surrakar Spellblade MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Surrakar Spellblade and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Surrakar Spellblade Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 90 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 2 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 60 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Surrakar Spellblade 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 Surrakar Spellblade card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | If Surrakar Spellblade leaves the battlefield after its second ability triggers but before it resolves, its last existence on the battlefield is checked to determine how many charge counters were on it. |
| 2010-06-15 | If you cast an instant or sorcery spell, Surrakar Spellblade’s first ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. The ability will resolve before the spell does. |
| 2010-06-15 | When Surrakar Spellblade’s second ability resolves, you either draw a card for each charge counter on it or you draw no cards at all. |