Cliffhaven Sell-Sword MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Kor Warrior |
| Released | 2020-09-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Zendikar Rising |
| Set code | ZNR |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 8 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason Rainville |
Key Takeaways
- Quick to cast, this card bolsters early game board state for aggressive plays or defense.
- Mana value allows for flexible playstyle, keeping opponents uncertain of your next move.
- Despite limitations, it fits in white-centric decks and ally-themed strategies.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although Cliffhaven Sell-Sword doesn’t directly contribute to card advantage in terms of drawing cards or forcing discards, this ally creature can tip the scales in your favor by bolstering your board presence quickly. This increases the effective value of your cards in play, allowing for more impactful turns.
Resource Acceleration: Cliffhaven Sell-Sword, being a low-cost creature, fits perfectly within strategies aimed at developing board state rapidly. Able to be cast early in the game, it accelerates your resource utilization by giving you a proactive play that can start applying pressure or defending your life total without delay.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the low mana value of Cliffhaven Sell-Sword enables flexibility in your playstyle. You can hold back mana for actual instant-speed interactions while threatening to add a creature to your board at a moment’s notice, optimizing your mana usage each turn and keeping opponents guessing about your hand’s full potential.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Carrying Cliffhaven Sell-Sword in your hand might be a burden if your deck revolves around using your cards efficiently. Unlike other creatures, it lacks an ability that benefits from or negates the cost of discarding, making it a potentially weak draw in situational moments and resource management strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: The dedication to white mana for playing Cliffhaven Sell-Sword can be restrictive. Decks that aren’t heavily invested in white might find it difficult to summon this card at the optimal time, particularly in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you weigh the cost against its capabilities, Cliffhaven Sell-Sword’s stats don’t quite measure up. With a myriad of cards offering more impact and utility at a similar, if not lower, mana cost, this card may not be the most economical choice for players aiming to maximize their deck’s efficiency and power.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cliffhaven Sell-Sword is a solid choice for a variety of white-centric decks, offering a straightforward two-drop creature that can quickly be brought onto the battlefield. This makes it suitable for aggressive strategies looking for early board presence.
Combo Potential: While not an intricate combo piece itself, the Sell-Sword’s ally creature type allows it to synergize with other cards that look to benefit from or enhance allies. The Sell-Sword can be a simple, yet effective component in ally-themed decks.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors quick and efficient creatures, Cliffhaven Sell-Sword stands out. Its 2/1 stat line for two mana makes it particularly useful in combat-heavy environments where early pressure and trading up with other two-drops can be key to success.
How to beat
Cliffhaven Sell-Sword is a straightforward addition to Magic: The Gathering’s lineup of low-cost creatures. As a basic two-drop with a 2/1 stat line, it fits into aggressive decks, aiming to put on early pressure. However, similar to other simple creatures such as Savannah Lions, it lacks late-game impact and utility, making it easier to overcome as the game progresses.
In terms of strategy, the best way to counter Cliffhaven Sell-Sword is through removal spells such as Shock, which can take it out for a single red mana. Beyond direct removal, any creature with a toughness of 2 or more can effectively block and remove Cliffhaven Sell-Sword from the battlefield, considering it doesn’t possess any evasion abilities like flying or menace. Cards with value-added characteristics like Raptor Companion provide a similar offensive pressure but with a more resilient body, making them better long-term choices.
To sum up, defeating Cliffhaven Sell-Sword requires minimal effort. Utilizing efficient removal options or simply deploying creatures with equal or greater toughness can effectively neutralize the threat posed by this straightforward card, allowing you to focus on more pressing threats on the board.
Cards like Cliffhaven Sell-Sword
Cliffhaven Sell-Sword carves its niche in the pantheon of efficient creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. This white-aligned creature mirrors the simplicity of other two-mana creatures like Glory Seeker and Ondu Greathorn. Both share the same casting cost and are part of the white creature lineup that focuses on early board presence. However, Cliffhaven Sell-Sword’s advantage lies in its Kor Soldier creature type, which synergizes with tribal themes that are prevalent in white-centered decks—something the other two creatures lack.
Examining other counterparts, Knight of Cliffhaven also comes into play. This card offers scalability with its level up mechanic, transforming from a simple 2/2 into a flying, vigilant threat. Despite Knight of Cliffhaven’s potential for growth, it necessitates additional mana investments over time, contrasting with the immediate two-power creature that Cliffhaven Sell-Sword provides from the outset.
Assessing the landscape of identically costed white creatures, Cliffhaven Sell-Sword stands out due to its ease of integration into decks with tribal affiliations, providing a decent choice for players seeking steadfast early blockers or attackers that benefit from tribal synergies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Cliffhaven Sell-Sword by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cliffhaven Sell-Sword MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Cliffhaven Sell-Sword and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cliffhaven Sell-Sword has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
