Sword-Point Diplomacy MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 126p
2017-09-29 - Number 126s
2017-09-29 - Number 126
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Reveal the top three cards of your library. For each of those cards, put that card into your hand unless any opponent pays 3 life. Then exile the rest.
"Take my blood if you want. Just don't take my gold!"
Cards like Sword-Point Diplomacy
Sword-Point Diplomacy stands out in the roster of risky card advantage options in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often weighed against the likes of Risk Factor, which presents an opponent with a persistent threat but relies on repeated casting for optimal effect. Sword-Point Diplomacy, however, offers a one-time, potent choice for three cards at once, giving it a distinctive burst potential.
Another comparable selection is the infamous Painful Truths, offering a reliable three cards for three life, without the uncertainty inherent to Sword-Point Diplomacy. Where the latter card may yield variable results based on an opponent’s decisions, Painful Truths provides a guaranteed return, albeit with a fixed life cost.
Browbeat is yet another relative, an older card with a similar ‘punisher’ mechanic. It gives opponents the choice between damage or card advantage, but falls short of the potential card quantity that Sword-Point Diplomacy can reveal. The MTG community often regards these choices as player-dependent, making the situation-specific evaluation of Sword-Point Diplomacy critical to its success.
Considering the gamble of giving an opponent control, Sword-Point Diplomacy is a formidable card when maneuvered wisely, with the capacity to create intimidating game states against opponents forced to make disadvantageous decisions.
Cards similar to Sword-Point Diplomacy by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sword-Point Diplomacy. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rakdos Burn | Modern | Rakdos Burn | Modern League 2023-11-21 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sword-Point Diplomacy provides a unique opportunity to potentially draw three additional cards, offering a significant boost in resources and thus a chance to outpace your opponent in terms of available options during the game.
Resource Acceleration: Through its negotiation mechanic, where an opponent can choose to pay life rather than giving you the card, this can indirectly accelerate your resources by dealing damage, thereby pressuring your opponent’s life total.
Instant Speed: Although Sword-Point Diplomacy is played at sorcery speed, the ability to present multiple cards simultaneously can create immediate decision points for your opponent, effectively performing a similar strategic role as an instant by forcing your opponent to act on your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Sword-Point Diplomacy is the forced discard condition it can sometimes impose on you. While this can be used to your advantage in some strategies, it may also backfire by reducing your hand when you least expect it. Understanding when to play this card is crucial to avoid self-sabotage.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and red mana, Sword-Point Diplomacy demands a commitment to a Rakdos-colored deck or at least a reliable mana base capable of producing both colors. This requirement can restrict your deck-building options and may not fit with every strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card comes with a relatively high cost for casting, which could limit its playability in fast-paced games. Three mana is significant, especially when the outcomes rely partially on an opponent’s choices. In many cases, there could be more mana-efficient alternatives for card advantage or direct damage that do not give your opponent the same level of control over the card’s impact.
Reasons to Include Sword-Point Diplomacy in Your Collection
Versatility: Sword-Point Diplomacy aligns with various strategies that thrive on card advantage and psychological play. It can integrate smoothly into aggressive, midrange, or even some control decks that seek to maximize each card’s impact.
Combo Potential: This card can work well with discard or punisher mechanics, amplifying the consequences of your opponent’s choices. It fits into decks that capitalize on opponents discarding cards or can set up damaging combos with life loss.
Meta-Relevance: With a meta that leans towards efficient card draw and damage, Sword-Point Diplomacy can pressure opponents while providing you with crucial resources. Its ability to potentially draw three cards makes it a contender in various matchups.
How to Beat Sword-Point Diplomacy
Sword-Point Diplomacy can be an intriguing challenge to overcome in the MTG landscape. The card presents an interesting dynamic where the decision power shifts to your opponent, nudging them to choose between letting you draw three cards or taking a hit to their life total for each card they don’t want you to have. What sets it apart is the psychological play it brings into the game, making it not just a matter of resources but also of wills. Unlike other straightforward draw spells, Sword-Point Diplomacy turns card advantage into a strategic dialogue.
The key to beating this spell lies in maintaining a solid life buffer and strategic foresight. As an opponent, carefully weigh the potential impact of the cards revealed. A high life total gives you the flexibility to take the life loss comfortably, denying your opponent crucial cards. On the other side, when playing against it, consider the right timing. Deploy it when your opponent’s life is under pressure or when their resources to respond are limited, maximizing the potential for drawing needed cards or inflicting significant life total damage.
In summary, defeating Sword-Point Diplomacy demands tactical discernment and timing, making it a complex but beatable MTG card when approached with care and strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sword-Point Diplomacy MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan Promos and Ixalan Promos, 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 Sword-Point Diplomacy and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Sword-Point Diplomacy Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2017-09-29. Illustrated by Eric Deschamps.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan Promos | PXLN | 126p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 2 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan Promos | PXLN | 126s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps | |
| 3 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 126 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Eric Deschamps |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sword-Point Diplomacy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sword-Point Diplomacy card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-09-29 | In a multiplayer game, each opponent in turn order chooses whether to pay life for one card before proceeding to the next card. You choose the order to perform this process for the cards, but opponents may discuss them before making any choices. Opponents will then know choices made by earlier opponents when making their choices. |
| 2017-09-29 | You reveal all three cards before opponents choose whether to pay life for any of them. |