Kamahl's Sledge MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Abilities	Threshold
Released	2002-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Torment
Set code	TOR
Number	102
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Don Hazeltine

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by returning to hand whenever a mountain enters play, favoring landfall strategies.
Instant speed casting allows flexible responses and strategic play, enhancing its game impact.
The mana-intensive nature and discard cost restrict use but provide a formidable presence in longer games.

Text of card

Kamahl's Sledge deals 4 damage to target creature. Threshold Instead Kamahl's Sledge deals 4 damage to that creature and 4 damage to that creature's controller. (You have threshold if seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kamahl’s Sledge provides a distinct edge as it returns to its owner’s hand when a mountain comes into play under your control. This recurrence allows players to repeatedly threaten opponents with the same card, ensuring that the card advantage is maintained throughout the match. It’s especially potent in decks that frequently play lands or employ landfall mechanics.

Resource Acceleration: While Kamahl’s Sledge itself may not directly generate mana or tokens, its synergy with land-based strategies encourages and often coincides with cards that focus on resource acceleration. When a deck accelerates resources effectively, it ensures that Kamahl’s Sledge can be cast multiple times in a game, leveraging that consistent threat more effectively.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Kamahl’s Sledge at instant speed is a formidable advantage. This allows players to stay flexible, responding to threats or creating their own at the perfect moment. Using the sledge on an opponent’s turn can disrupt their strategy and tilt the battlefield in your favor. Instant speed also means you can wait to play a mountain to get the Sledge back at the most opportune time—adding an element of surprise and strategy to your game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kamahl’s Sledge comes with a pricey cost beyond its mana expenditure. Players must discard a card, potentially putting them at a disadvantage by dwindling their hand and lessening their strategic options on subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: With a requirement for red mana, Kamahl’s Sledge can be restrictive. It’s relegated to decks that run red mana, leaving out a variety of builds that might benefit from its effects but cannot accommodate the color requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at eight mana, this card’s activation cost is quite steep. While it offers a significant effect, the mana investment is considerable, and players might find other cards that can provide similar impact at a lower mana investment, making them more versatile and efficient additions to a deck.

Reasons to Include Kamahl’s Sledge in Your Collection

Versatility: Kamahl’s Sledge is a tool that can turn the tide in games that drag on. Its ability to deal direct damage gives it a home in decks seeking flexible removal options or a surprise finisher.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that manipulate the graveyard. As it returns to your hand when a creature dies, it lends itself to combinations with creature sacrifice for repeated value.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creatures dominate the battlefield, Kamahl’s Sledge offers a recurring control element. It’s particularly effective in metas where maintaining board presence is crucial for victory.

How to beat

Kamahl’s Sledge is a formidable red card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to deliver a hefty amount of direct damage. While presenting an obvious threat, overcoming this card’s impact isn’t out of reach. Mitigating the power of Kamahl’s Sledge often involves countering its weaknesses.

One strategy lies in negating its effects; spells like Negate or Counterspell can interrupt Kamahl’s Sledge before it unleashes its damage. Shielding oneself is also a viable route; proactive players might use damage prevention cards or those that increase life total to outpace the sledge’s impact. Artifacts or enchantments that grant hexproof to a player or reduce incoming damage can also tip the scales back to your favor.

Ultimately, understanding the importance of timing and resource allocation makes all the difference. Being able to anticipate this heavy hitter and prepare accordingly will ensure that Kamahl’s Sledge does not derail your path to victory.

Cards like Kamahl's Sledge

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Kamahl’s Sledge takes its place among cards that provide substantial direct damage to opponents. It can be seen milling around with the likes of Rolling Thunder, sharing the quality of variable damage. What sets Kamahl’s Sledge apart is its threshold ability, which—if seven or more cards are in your graveyard—allows it to return to your hand. The Sledge, therefore, promises recurring damage potential, contrasting with Rolling Thunder’s single-use impact.

Similarly, we consider Fireball, an MTG staple for any player fond of X-cost damage spells. While Fireball distributes damage across multiple targets, it lacks the boomerang effect of Kamahl’s Sledge. Another card often brought into comparison is Banefire. Banefire guarantees uncounterable damage that can end games, yet it doesn’t offer the longevity of Kamahl’s Sledge’s reusable nature. The choice between these spells hinges on strategy—whether a player seeks sustained pressure or a one-shot resolution.

The decision of including Kamahl’s Sledge in a deck as opposed to its counterparts might come down to the player’s preference for an endgame strategy or the desire for repeatable removal options during the mid to late game of Magic: The Gathering matches.

Cards similar to Kamahl's Sledge by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kamahl's Sledge MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Kamahl's Sledge and other MTG cards: