Double Cleave MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Double Cleave’s instant speed allows for versatile and surprising combat tactics, often turning the tide of battle.
  2. With a two mana cost, it provides efficient damage acceleration without straining resources in a game.
  3. It is limited to red and white mana decks, which could restrict deck-building options and overall utility.

Text of card

Target creature gains double strike until end of turn. (It deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)

"When in doubt, kill 'em twice."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Double Cleave, you unlock the potential to maximize efficiency from each of your creatures. This card essentially doubles the damage output from a single creature, enabling it to eliminate threats or finish an opponent off without the need to commit additional creatures to the board.

Resource Acceleration: At a modest two mana cost, Double Cleave doesn’t set you back in terms of resources. Quite the opposite, it can serve as an enabler for powerful synergies and combos within your deck that thrive on having multiple instances of damage in a turn. This effective utilization keeps your mana open for other strategies and spells.

Instant Speed: The true strength of Double Cleave lies in its instant speed. This allows for surprise tactics during combat, turning what appears to be an innocuous attack into a lethal strike. Furthermore, it keeps your opponents guessing, as they must consider the potential for Double Cleave whenever they declare blockers or choose not to block.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Double Cleave doesn’t specifically require discarding a card, it can be a situational spell. In decks not focused on combat or lacking creatures with significant power, holding Double Cleave could result in a card staying in your hand when you’d rather have a more universally useful card.

Specific Mana Cost: Double Cleave requires both red and white mana for its casting cost. This can limit its inclusion to decks that run both colors, potentially excluding it from mono-colored decks or those that don’t support its color combination, thereby restricting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost of two mana, Double Cleave might seem affordable, but in a competitive environment, the mana used to cast Double Cleave could potentially be spent on other spells or abilities that offer a more immediate impact or board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Double Cleave offers the unique capability of giving any creature double strike until end of turn. This means it can be flexibly adapted to a wide array of deck types, from aggressive red aggro builds to more intricate Boros strategies that might require a sudden burst of damage.

Combo Potential: This card pairs exceptionally well with creatures that have on-hit effects or with equipment that benefits from dealing damage. Its sudden impact can be a game-changer, creating unexpected two-hit lethal scenarios or simply propelling your board state into a dominant position.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where speed and combat tricks reign, Double Cleave stands out. Its ability to swiftly alter combat outcomes can catch opponents off guard, making it a relevant choice for any player aiming to gain the upper hand in physical exchanges.


How to Beat Double Cleave

Double Cleave stands out in the realm of combat tricks within Magic the Gathering, lending creatures the powerful Double Strike ability for a turn. This can turn the tide in combat, potentially doubling damage output. However, overcoming this card involves strategic play and deck construction. Ensuring creatures on the battlefield have first strike or a formidable defense are key methods to deter Double Cleave’s impact. Moreover, instant-speed removal spells can eliminate the threat before damage is dealt, neutralizing the benefit of Double Strike.

Deploying a line-up of creatures with deathtouch can also prove to be a deterrent, as opponents may hesitate to use Double Cleave knowing their creature might be destroyed in the process. Furthermore, countermagic plays a significant role, allowing players to preemptively stop Double Cleave from ever taking effect. By anticipating when an opponent might cast Double Cleave and saving mana for counterspells, players can maintain control over the combat phase and diminish the card’s potential impact.

In essence, adapting one’s strategy to anticipate and counter the powerful swing that Double Cleave can provide in MTG will enable players to mitigate its effects and maintain dominance on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Assessing Double Cleave in MTG is to recognize the duality of tactical advantage and strategic must-haves. This card isn’t just a simple damage doubler; it’s a call to those who value surprise maneuvers and decisive power plays in their gameplay. Whether you’re aiming to create synergies, boost a pivotal strike, or shake up the meta with your Boros deck, Double Cleave can be your unexpected ace. For combat-centric enthusiasts and players craving to turn the tide of battle in a blink, we invite you to further explore strategies and card interactions that place control of the game’s outcome squarely in your hands. Learn more with us and perfect your strike.


Cards like Double Cleave

Double Cleave is a card that provides a tactical edge in Magic: The Gathering by granting double strike until end of turn to a single creature. Similar in effect to cards like Assault Strobe, which also endows a creature with double strike, Double Cleave distinguishes itself by its versatility in being a hybrid mana spell, usable in both red and white decks. Assault Strobe offers the double strike ability at a lower cost but is limited strictly to red mana decks.

Another card to consider in this comparison is Temur Battle Rage. This card not only grants double strike when conditions are met, but it also confers trample, potentially increasing the damage dealt to an opponent. However, it adheres to a specific color requirement, unlike the flexible mana options for Double Cleave. Additionally, Psychotic Fury is worth mentioning, as it gives double strike but is exclusive to multicolored creatures, whereas Double Cleave applies to any single creature you control.

To summarize, Double Cleave aligns effectively within the suite of double strike spells in MTG for its hybrid mana cost and broad applicability, making it a versatile choice for players looking to maximize their creatures’ combat potential.

Assault Strobe - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Assault Strobe - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Temur Battle Rage - Fate Reforged (FRF)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)

Cards similar to Double Cleave by color, type and mana cost

Captain's Maneuver - MTG Card versions
Lightning Helix - MTG Card versions
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - MTG Card versions
Lantern Flare - MTG Card versions
Boros Charm - MTG Card versions
Fight to the Death - MTG Card versions
Burning Oil - MTG Card versions
Shattering Blow - MTG Card versions
Aurelia's Fury - MTG Card versions
Martial Glory - MTG Card versions
Ride Down - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Justice Strike - MTG Card versions
Sacred Fire - MTG Card versions
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - MTG Card versions
Inventory Management - MTG Card versions
Captain's Maneuver - Planechase (HOP)
Lightning Helix - Murders at Karlov Manor (MKM)
Flamescroll Celebrant // Revel in Silence - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Lantern Flare - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Boros Charm - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Fight to the Death - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Burning Oil - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Shattering Blow - Gatecrash (GTC)
Aurelia's Fury - The List (PLST)
Martial Glory - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Ride Down - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
Deflecting Palm - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Justice Strike - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Sacred Fire - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Heartflame Duelist // Heartflame Slash - Wilds of Eldraine (WOE)
Inventory Management - Fallout (PIP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Double Cleave MTG card by a specific set like Eventide and Planechase, 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 Double Cleave and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Double Cleave Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-07-25 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-07-25EventideEVE 1352003normalblackrk post
22009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 1002003normalblackrk post
32018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 2142015normalblackZoltan Boros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Double Cleave has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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