Veteran's Powerblade MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
| Released | 2022-11-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | The Brothers' War |
| Set code | BRO |
| Number | 41 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alexandre Honoré |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +2/+0. Equip Soldier Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Veteran's Powerblade
Veteran’s Powerblade epitomizes the tactical blend of artifact equipment in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterpart might be the Short Sword, which also bestows a modest boost to a creature’s attack and defense. However, Veteran’s Powerblade offers the additional advantage of being able to strengthen its boost each combat, a mechanic not present in Short Sword.
Bonesplitter is another familiar comparison in this category, bringing a more substantial attack increase at a lower equip cost. Despite this, it doesn’t boast the scaling bonus power Veteran’s Powerblade can accumulate over time. Flayer Husk also enters the conversation, providing an equipped creature with a smaller boost than bonesplitter but introducing a creature token upon entry, something our Veteran’s blade lacks.
When assessing each artifact’s strengths, Veteran’s Powerblade aligns itself with those who value long-term strategy and gradual power growth. Its unique ability to potentially outpace static buffs of similar equipment over a prolonged game firmly secures its position in MTG deckbuilding strategies that focus on synergy and incremental advantage.
Cards similar to Veteran's Powerblade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Veteran’s Powerblade can potentially carve a path to card superiority. Its ability to glean additional resources from your deck enhances your strategic prowess and keeps your hand filled with options.
Resource Acceleration: While some cards are mere stepping stones, this formidable artifact accelerates your resource availability, smoothing the way for more potent plays and enabling a swifter development of your board state with every turn.
Instant Speed: The true finesse of Veteran’s Powerblade lies in its instant speed interaction. This capability allows the wielder to adapt swiftly to the evolving battlefield, keeping adversaries in constant anticipation of your next untelegraphed move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Veteran’s Powerblade necessitates relinquishing a card as an added cost. In critical junctures, this can put the player at a disadvantage, especially if their hand is already depleted or each card holds significant strategic value.
Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a precise blend of mana to be cast, the card may not seamlessly integrate into decks that aren’t tailored to accommodate its mana requirements. This can pose a deck-building challenge, limiting its utility to particular color combinations or strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluated against the broader range of equipment cards, Veteran’s Powerblade’s mana cost is on the higher side. With finite resources, players must consider whether the benefits derived from the card justify the investment, particularly when more cost-effective alternatives may be available to enhance their gameplay.
Reasons to Include Veteran’s Powerblade in Your Collection
Versatility: Veteran’s Powerblade can seamlessly adapt to various deck archetypes due to its capacity to boost creature abilities. It’s a solid addition to decks that excel with equipped creatures.
Combo Potential: It holds the potential to become a linchpin in synergistic builds, especially where attaching equipment triggers beneficial effects or where the Powerblade’s impact on a creature’s power and toughness can turn the tide.
Meta-Relevance: As the competitive scene evolves, the Powerblade can find its niche, particularly if the meta favors decks that rely on creature-based strategies, where an additional layer of power can make all the difference.
How to beat
The introduction of Veteran’s Powerblade to the arsenal of artifacts has given MTG enthusiasts a new facet to strategize around. This unassuming equipment piece offers a significant power boost to the creature it’s attached to, making it a target for removal in the game. To effectively navigate around this powerful artifact, consider employing artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Abrade which can swiftly neutralize the threat by removing the equipment from play.
Control decks may have the edge here, as counterspells such as Negate or naturalize effects are crucial in stopping Veteran’s Powerblade before it becomes active. Decks which include creatures with natural evasion, like flying or protection from artifacts, can often circumvent the added might of a Powerblade-wielding adversary. It is essential to remain attentive and prepare for the late-game scenarios where equipment like this can turn the tides, reinforcing the importance of flexible and versatile deck building in MTG.
Ultimately, it’s managing the board and remaining proactive with your answers that stands between victory and defeat against the likes of Veteran’s Powerblade. Having a blend of direct removal and broader control mechanisms ensures that you stay one step ahead in this complex and evolving meta.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Veteran's Powerblade MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Veteran's Powerblade 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Veteran's Powerblade 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 |
| Timeless | Legal |