Viashino Firstblade MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Viashino Soldier
Abilities	Haste
Released	2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dragon's Maze
Set code	DGM
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	113
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matt Stewart

Key Takeaways

Viashino Firstblade excels in early-game pressure with haste, impacting the board on entry.
It may challenge deck flexibility due to specific mana needs and its competition in the three-mana slot.
Strategic removal and defensive plays are effective counters to Viashino Firstblade’s strengths.

Text of card

Haste When Viashino Firstblade enters the battlefield, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

"All that steel doesn't make them slower. It makes them bolder." —Tajic, Blade of the Legion

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although the Viashino Firstblade doesn’t directly influence your hand size, its ability to create a significant presence the moment it hits the battlefield means you can potentially trade with an opponent’s card immediately, maintaining parity or even gaining an edge in card efficiency.

Resource Acceleration: The Firstblade itself may not accelerate your resources, but its immediate impact allows you to efficiently utilize your mana in the early game, putting pressure on your opponent without needing to commit further cards from your hand early on.

Instant Speed: While the Viashino Firstblade is a creature that operates at sorcery speed, its haste ability acts similarly to instant speed by offering an unexpected burst of damage. This can disrupt your opponent’s calculations and force quick decisions, potentially leading to misplays that advantage you.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Viashino Firstblade doesn’t have an inherent discard requirement, needing to keep cards in hand to respond after its battlecry effect can pressure players to hold onto resources rather than deploying them strategically.

Specific Mana Cost: Viashino Firstblade requires one red and one white mana, making it less flexible and potentially challenging to cast outside of Boros or multicolored decks that can reliably produce both colors early in the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although three mana for a hasty creature is reasonable, Viashino Firstblade competes with other cards in its mana range that may provide longer-lasting benefits or have more impactful enter-the-battlefield effects, making it a less desirable choice in some decks focused on efficiency and value.

Reasons to Include Viashino Firstblade in Your Collection

Versatility: Viashino Firstblade’s instant impact on the battlefield makes it a valuable addition to a variety of red and white decks. As a creature that provides a burst of power with haste, it can catch opponents off guard and deliver key attacks early in the game.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or other aggressive strategies, Viashino Firstblade can serve as an important piece in an explosive combo, amplifying the assault on your opponent’s life total.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that allows for swift and aggressive plays, this card can be a crucial element in gaining the upper hand. Its ability to swiftly deal damage aligns well with the pace of certain metas, making it a tactical choice for players aiming to outpace control or combo opponents.

How to beat

Overcoming the challenge posed by Viashino Firstblade requires understanding its impact moment; direct aggression during its first turn on the battlefield. This creature shines when it enters the field with haste and a temporary power boost, ideal for an early life points strike. However, its strength wanes post-entry, morphing into a predictable and manageable adversary.

Defense is your ally here. Instant-speed removal spells are particularly effective, ridding the field of the Firstblade before it can connect. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, cost-efficient and reactive, answer the Firstblade’s call with precision. Counterspells serve as preventive measures, intercepting the Firstblade before it can even glimpse the battlefield. Alternatively, playing creatures with reach or those stout enough to survive the initial onslaught can nullify the Firstblade’s advantage, establishing strategic barriers for your opponent’s aggressive intentions.

Navigating through early game pressure is pivotal. Recognizing when to hold back your spells for the pivotal moment this creature enters play can be the decisive factor in mitigating its impact. Strategic patience and responsive card choice create a strong defense against Viashino Firstblade’s aggressive entrance, ensuring that its swift strike is met with a swift response.

Cards like Viashino Firstblade

The card Viashino Firstblade is an interesting combat creature within the MTG universe. It shares the battlefield with creatures like Wojek Halberdiers, which also benefits from the battalion mechanic, but Viashino Firstblade stands out due to its immediate impact. Upon entering the game, it receives a temporary boost in power and toughness, which can surprise an opponent during combat.

Comparatively, we can evaluate cards such as Skyknight Legionnaire, which offers flying and haste abilities, allowing for immediate attacks from the air. While it doesn’t boast the temporary stat increase of Viashino Firstblade, its evasion attribute is noteworthy. Then there’s the Rakdos Cackler, a creature known for its unleash ability, enabling it to be a considerable early game threat as either a blocker or an aggressive play, although it does not impact the board as instantly as Viashino Firstblade when it comes into play.

In summary, while there are numerous creatures in MTG with combat-related abilities, Viashino Firstblade’s blend of haste and an on-entry power surge provides a unique advantage during the assault phase, making it a distinct choice in certain aggressive strategies.

Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Viashino Firstblade by color, type and mana cost

Mila, Crafty Companion // Lukka, Wayward Bonder - MTG Card versions

Queen Kayla bin-Kroog - MTG Card versions

Plargg, Dean of Chaos // Augusta, Dean of Order - MTG Card versions

Hearthfire Hobgoblin - MTG Card versions

Depala, Pilot Exemplar - MTG Card versions

Tajic, Legion's Edge - MTG Card versions

Feather, the Redeemed - MTG Card versions

Vikya, Scorching Stalwart - MTG Card versions

Zirda, the Dawnwaker - MTG Card versions

Akiri, Fearless Voyager - MTG Card versions

General Ferrous Rokiric - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Viashino Firstblade MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Viashino Firstblade and other MTG cards: