Axebane Stag MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elk
Released	2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set name	Return to Ravnica
Set code	RTR
Power	6
Toughness	7
Number	116
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Martina Pilcerova

Key Takeaways

Axebane Stag can create card advantage by requiring multiple resources from opponents to be dealt with.
While offering a robust presence, the high mana cost can conflict with fast-paced games and diverse decks.
Its straightforward nature and power level ensure relevance in meta where board control is crucial.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Axebane Stag’s sheer presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking, effectively preserving your other cards while you build up your resources. Its formidability often requires opponents to deal with it using more than one card, hence potentially giving you a card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This high-powered creature can be an asset in decks that capitalize on the strength of their creatures for mechanics such as “Devotion” or “Ferocious,” indirectly contributing to resource acceleration by enabling more powerful spells and abilities.

Instant Speed: While Axebane Stag itself does not have instant speed capabilities, its inclusion in a deck can justify holding back mana for other instant speed responses. Adversaries may be reluctant to swing into your untapped mana, fearing combat tricks or removal you might cast in response, thereby buying you time to leverage Axebane Stag’s power.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Axebane Stag, like many other creatures in MTG, doesn’t have an inherent discard requirement, but if you’re unable to cast it due to its specific mana needs, it may end up being a card you have to discard to make room for more immediate plays.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a significant investment of green mana. With a cost of six green and one other mana to get onto the battlefield, it might not integrate well with decks that use multiple colors or need to maintain a flexible mana base for a variety of spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The seven total mana cost of Axebane Stag is quite steep, considering its lack of abilities. In environments where the game pace is fast, its high mana cost can be a significant drawback as other cards could provide greater impact or board presence for the same or lesser investment.

Reasons to Include Axebane Stag in Your Collection

Versatility: Although Axebane Stag has a specific role as a large green creature, its substantial power and toughness can be a formidable presence on any battlefield. This makes it a suitable choice for decks that need a sturdy blocker or a heavy hitter to close out games.

Combo Potential: With its high casting cost, Axebane Stag can be a prime candidate for ramp decks that aim to play big creatures early. Additionally, in decks that can manipulate or reduce mana costs, dropping Axebane Stag ahead of schedule can significantly tilt the scales in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where larger creatures can dominate, Axebane Stag holds its own. It’s a simple and straightforward creature that can be impactful in games, especially when the format slows down and board presence becomes crucial.

How to Beat

Axebane Stag is a large creature card that can pose a formidable presence on the battlefield. With its substantial 6/7 body, the Stag can outmatch many smaller creatures in combat. To effectively combat this card, it’s wise to consider removal spells or abilities that can bypass its sheer size. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade, which outright destroy a target creature, can handle the Stag regardless of its power and toughness.

When dealing with creatures like Axebane Stag, players may also turn to spells that don’t target, avoiding potential protection abilities. Board wipes such as Day of Judgment or Wrath of God can clear the field of all creatures, including the bulky Stag. In terms of strategy, it’s often best to address the Stag directly or manage the board state carefully until you’re able to safely deploy a removal or board-clearing solution, minimizing the impact this creature would have on your game plan.

Finally, employing counterspells to prevent the Stag from ever entering the battlefield is another viable strategy. A well-timed Counterspell or Negate as Axebane Stag is being cast can conserve resources and defend against its heavy stats before it ever has a chance to charge into battle.

Cards like Axebane Stag

Axebane Stag is a creature often compared with other high-mana green creatures in MTG. Like the Stag, creatures such as Colossal Dreadmaw provide significant battlefield presence due to their sizeable power and toughness. The Colossal Dreadmaw stands out with its trample ability, allowing for potential damage to be dealt even if the creature is blocked, which the Axebane Stag lacks. However, the Stag has the strength of a flat 6/7 stats, which is on par with other heavy hitters in the game.

Consider also the Terra Stomper as a potential alternative. It boasts not only trample but also an inability to be countered, offering an edge in matchups against control decks. While it’s pricier in terms of mana cost compared to Axebane Stag, these additional abilities can justify the extra investment in a game. On the flip side, the Stag might be preferred in decks that don’t emphasize the need for an uncounterable creature or trample effect.

Ultimately, when evaluating creatures like Axebane Stag and its alternatives, the decision often boils down to the specific strategy of the MTG deck in play. Each creature brings its unique advantages to the table, and the Stag holds its own as a straightforward powerhouse.

Cards similar to Axebane Stag by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions

Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions

Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions

Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions

Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Axebane Stag MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Axebane Stag and other MTG cards: