Murderer's Axe MTG Card


Murderer’s Axe quickly turns spare cards into impactful damage, enhancing creature’s power on board. Equipping at instant speed allows versatile combat strategies, catching opponents off-guard in MTG. The discard cost of Murderer’s Axe can be a strategic disadvantage in certain gameplay scenarios.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +2/+2. Equip— Discard a card.

Though the first who raised it in a fit of passion is long dead, the axe still carries memories of bitter scorn.


Cards like Murderer's Axe

Murderer’s Axe stands out in the lineup of equipment cards in Magic the Gathering. It’s often analyzed alongside other equipment that enhances creature power, like Bonesplitter. Bonesplitter provides a lighter buff of +2/+0 but at a much cheaper cost and without the added mechanic of discarding a card. In this way, Murderer’s Axe can complement strategies tailored around discard mechanics, using this feature to a player’s advantage.

Comparably, Heirloom Blade also grants a significant power boost, though it’s specifically designed for tribal decks. Unlike Murderer’s Axe, Heirloom Blade also adds to a creature’s toughness and provides card advantage when the equipped creature dies. Meanwhile, the Axe remains favorable in decks that utilize the discard aspect to trigger madness abilities or other graveyard synergies.

Assessing the trade-offs and synergistic opportunities, Murderer’s Axe earns its place by virtue of the potent discard synergy it offers for decks that capitalize on such mechanics, providing a unique angle within the array of MTG’s equipment cards.

Bonesplitter - MTG Card versions
Heirloom Blade - MTG Card versions
Bonesplitter - MTG Card versions
Heirloom Blade - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Murderer's Axe by color, type and mana cost

Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Jade Monolith - MTG Card versions
Jade Statue - MTG Card versions
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Rackling - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Lich's Tomb - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Synod Centurion - MTG Card versions
Jade Idol - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Jade Monolith - MTG Card versions
Jade Statue - MTG Card versions
Mightstone - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Icy Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Rackling - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Lich's Tomb - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Synod Centurion - MTG Card versions
Jade Idol - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Murderer’s Axe does not directly allow you to draw cards, it can effectively turn any redundant or unnecessary cards in your hand into potent damage enhancers. This means that cards which might no longer have an impact on the game can still contribute by boosting the power of your creatures.

Resource Acceleration: Although Murderer’s Axe doesn’t create mana or Treasure tokens, attaching it to a creature can rapidly advance your board state. By giving a significant power boost to a creature, you’re effectively utilizing your available resources to put yourself closer to winning the game.

Instant Speed: This equipment can be attached at instant speed, offering flexibility in response to the unfolding game. You can surprise an opponent by increasing a creature’s power as a blocker or during combat on your turn, potentially altering the outcome of key battles substantially.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Equipping Murderer’s Axe comes at the price of discarding a card, a non-negligible cost that forces players to deplete their hand. This can put the player at a disadvantage, especially in game states where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Murderer’s Axe requires two mana of any type to cast, but its equip cost demands the discard of a card, which can be rather restrictive. This makes it less flexible compared to equipment cards that can be re-equipped without such additional costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Murderer’s Axe grants a notable +2/+2 power and toughness boost, its overall mana investment is significant when including the equip cost. In scenarios where speed is key, players might find the cumulative cost for initial play and subsequent equipping overly burdensome, potentially hindering their battlefield development.


Reasons to Include Murderer’s Axe in Your Collection

Versatility: Murderer’s Axe is a flexible equipment card that can be easily slotted into a variety of decks. Its simple attachment requirement—discard a card—makes it a suitable choice for decks that capitalize on graveyard synergies or for those that simply need a power boost for their creatures.

Combo Potential: The discard ability of Murderer’s Axe can enable a range of combos, particularly in decks that thrive on graveyard interaction or madness abilities. Attaching it can set off a chain of events to turn the tide of the game by synergizing with other cards that benefit from discarding.

Meta-Relevance: With fast-paced aggro decks and intricate combo decks making rounds in the meta, having a card like Murderer’s Axe can provide the necessary edge. Its ability to add significant power to a creature can turn even the smallest of creatures into a substantial threat, adapting well to the ever-shifting competitive landscape.


How to beat

Murderer’s Axe is a unique artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, providing a substantial power boost to creatures at the cost of card advantage. This equipment card allows a player to discard a card to attach it to a creature, then inkreasing the creature’s power and toughness. To effectively counter this strategy, it’s critical to manage your resources wisely and maintain removal spells in your hand. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant are potent tools for dismantling such equipment, stripping away the power boost and leaving your opponent’s creature vulnerable. Additionally, prioritizing creatures with abilities like Hexproof can provide a solid defense against this type of power play, as your foes will struggle to target and remove your key pieces.

Moreover, keeping the pressure on your opponent is essential. Force them to make tough decisions on whether to hold cards for utility or to discard them for a temporary advantage with Murderer’s Axe. Understanding the tempo of the game and predicting when your opponent is most likely to commit to equipping Murderer’s Axe can be the difference between victory and defeat. In the ever-shifting battlefield of Magic: The Gathering, being one step ahead when facing cards like Murderer’s Axe can turn the tide of battle in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Murderer's Axe MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Murderer's Axe and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Murderer's Axe Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Winona Nelson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 2592015NormalBlackWinona Nelson
22023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 2552015NormalBlackWinona Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Murderer's Axe has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal