Tarrian's Soulcleaver MTG Card


Tarrian’s Soulcleaver grants card advantage and incentivizes creature death, offering strategic depth to gameplay. Instant speed activation offers adaptable responses to opponents, enhancing in-game tactical flexibility. Combo potential with death triggers and a strong meta presence make it a worthy collection addition.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Text of card

Equipped creature has vigilance. Whenever another artifact or creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on equipped creature. Equip

Tarrian's holy weapon still holds a fragment of his dark power... and his hunger.


Cards like Tarrian's Soulcleaver

Tarrian’s Soulcleaver represents a unique aspect of creature control in Magic: The Gathering. When sizing it up against other cards, Abyssal Persecutor springs to mind. Both cards hold a significant presence on the battlefield due to their intimidating power and toughness. However, Tarrian’s Soulcleaver’s ability to grant incremental life loss adds a layer of pressure that Abyssal Persecutor doesn’t provide.

Considering removal abilities, Royal Assassin offers a somewhat parallel functionality with its ability to destroy tapped creatures, giving players tactical advantage by forcing opponents to carefully consider their attacks. Still, Tarrian’s Soulcleaver edges forward with its persistent damage-over-time effect on each opponent’s upkeep, affecting the entire board state. Then, there’s Grave Pact, known for its ability to clean the board by forcing opponents to sacrifice creatures whenever one of your creatures dies. This strategy differs from Tarrian’s Soulcleaver’s direct approach, which focuses more on attrition than on immediate broad impact.

All in all, in the realm of creature control within Magic: The Gathering, Tarrian’s Soulcleaver stands out with its unique blend of intimidation and steady life-draining capabilities. It is a card that offers both a threat and a continuous challenge for your opponents to handle.

Abyssal Persecutor - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Grave Pact - MTG Card versions
Abyssal Persecutor - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Grave Pact - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tarrian's Soulcleaver by color, type and mana cost

Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions
Glasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Wooden Sphere - MTG Card versions
Sol Ring - MTG Card versions
Iron Star - MTG Card versions
Black Vise - MTG Card versions
Urza's Chalice - MTG Card versions
Ivory Cup - MTG Card versions
Brass Man - MTG Card versions
Mana Vault - MTG Card versions
Soul Net - MTG Card versions
The Rack - MTG Card versions
Helm of Chatzuk - MTG Card versions
Obelisk of Undoing - MTG Card versions
Feldon's Cane - MTG Card versions
Throne of Bone - MTG Card versions
Meekstone - MTG Card versions
Thran Foundry - MTG Card versions
Cursed Scroll - MTG Card versions
Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Tarrian's Soulcleaver. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formTorino Tournament - Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Hardened ScalesHardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesGame Haven RCQ (1 Slot)
Mono-Green Hardened ScalesMono-Green Hardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesModern Preliminary 2023-11-24
Rakdos SacrificeRakdos Sacrifice StandardRakdos Sacrifice2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tarrian’s Soulcleaver has the potential to let you draw multiple cards through multiple creature deaths, enhancing your ability to maintain or secure a lead in card advantage throughout the match.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially reducing the cost of creature spells in your hand each time a creature dies, Tarrian’s Soulcleaver acts as a form of resource acceleration, enabling you to deploy your threats or answers more efficiently.

Instant Speed: The capacity to activate Tarrian’s Soulcleaver at instant speed offers the advantage of flexibility, allowing you to respond to board states and opponent’s moves during their turn before deciding the best moment to use your resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Tarrian’s Soulcleaver is that deploying this creature requires you to discard another card. This could be a significant setback when your hand is already depleted, potentially hindering your strategy by forcing you to part with valuable resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Tarrian’s Soulcleaver requires a very particular mana combination which may not align well with more diverse or color-flexible decks. If you’re not running a deck that can consistently produce the necessary mana, it could remain a dead card in your hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the higher side for its abilities, it competes directly with other formidable creatures and spells which might provide greater impact or versatility for the same or less investment.


Reasons to Include Tarrian’s Soulcleaver in Your Collection

Versatility: Tarrian’s Soulcleaver is an adaptable card that can slide seamlessly into various decks. Its ability to remove creatures from the battlefield makes it a useful tool, whether you are consolidating a control strategy or pressing the advantage in aggressive builds.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with strategies that reward creature removal or death triggers. With the right setup, it can quickly become a frightening presence on the board, facilitating powerful play sequences that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given its creature-targeting mechanics, Tarrian’s Soulcleaver holds its ground well in a creature-heavy meta. It’s a prime choice for keeping pace with prevalent creature-based tactics and can make a significant impact when the battlefield is crowded with potential targets for its ability.


How to beat

Tarrian’s Soulcleaver is a formidable card in the realm of MTG, presenting a unique challenge for players aiming to secure victory. This card shines when it’s fueling a strategy revolving around life loss and gain, which can quickly become overwhelming. To combat this, focus on removing it from the battlefield swiftly. Prioritize the use of instant-speed removal spells that can eliminate it before its life-draining effect can turn the tides against you.

Counterspells are another effective method to keep Tarrian’s Soulcleaver at bay. Playing them at the opportune moment prevents your opponent from unleashing its potential and compromising your board state. In addition, exile effects are especially valuable against it, cutting off any chance for it to come back from the graveyard, a common strategy used by many MTG players to reuse powerful creatures.

Lastly, it’s important to adjust your gameplay to maintain a high life total, as this directly impacts the effectiveness of Tarrian’s Soulcleaver. Strategies that offer consistent life gain can negate the impact of its ability and help to preserve your standing in the game. By implementing these tactics, your chances of triumphing over a deck featuring this challenging card increase significantly.


BurnMana Recommendations

Discovering the best ways to utilize Tarrian’s Soulcleaver in your MTG lineup can turn the tides of battle in your favor. With its ability to shift card advantage and accelerate your resources, this card is a gem for any player focusing on strategic creature removal. However, it’s essential to consider the delicate balance between its strengths and the challenges it may pose to your gameplay. As you refine your deck, keep in mind the mana requisites and the synergy with other cards. Are you ready to harness the power of Tarrian’s Soulcleaver and dominate the battlefield? Continue learning with us to master its potential.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tarrian's Soulcleaver MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Tarrian's Soulcleaver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tarrian's Soulcleaver Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Marzena Nereida Piwowar.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3892015NormalBlackMarzena Nereida Piwowar
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 2642015NormalBlackMarzena Nereida Piwowar

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tarrian's Soulcleaver has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.