It's easy to forget that while the Axe is
indestructible, the wielder isn't. All this Axe
conveys is +2/+0. It's useful, sure, mostly on a
creature with evasion or trample. Goblin
Gaveleer is a good choice, as is Sunspear
Shikari and Kitesail Apprentice. I've also heard
talk of using it with Phylactery Lich, as an
artifact that can hold the phylactery counter
without risk of a stray Shatter ending both Axe
and Lich. But that deck isn't making a showing,
and for one to cast and two to equip, I think
most folks would rather have Basilisk Collar.
When the first Mirrodin block came out, a friend
of mine remarked, "Why is Rancor considered so
overpowered when Bonesplitter isn't?" Times have
changed, and Mark Rosewater recently commented
that they considered putting Rancor in M11.
Meanwhile, the new Mirrodin block offers us what
can only be considered an upgraded version of
Bonesplitter. Darksteel Axe is not as obviously
dominating as Umezawa's Jitte or Sword of Body
and Mind, but it is immune to the standard
creature deck vs. creature deck tactic of
destroying whatever makes your creatures better
than theirs (auras, equipment, etc). Hatred
outlives the hateful, but darksteel outlives . .
. well, everything.
Today's card of the day is Darksteel Axe is a
one mana +2/+0 that equips for two and is
indestructible and would be a great item if not
for the equip cost. Destroy effects aren't
a big enough concern for an non-creature
artifact to warrant special attention. As
it stands this is solid, but aside from
Phylactery Lich doesn't really work out quite
well enough to be played over easier to equip or
more versatile options.
For Limited this is a very nice card to have
that can be difficult for an opponent to deal
with, has several support options in White, and
of course works with Metalcraft very early.
There is no reason not to include this in a
Sealed deck, but in Booster draft it should be
picked after the key creatures or removal
spells.
Magic The Gathering Card of The Day: Darksteel
Axe
Welcome back readers today’s card of the day is
the neutered Bonesplitter. With the added amount
of mana to the card we get indestructibility. In
standard it may see play in aggressive
metalcraft decks that can put good use to
repeatable creature pump. In extended and
eternal I don’t think this equipment is good
enough to compete with Jitte and other loftier
equipments. In casual and multiplayer this is a
nice equipment, the fact it is indestructible
means it can survive mass artifact hate or the
player who points his Krosan Grip at it just
because he can. In limited this is sick
equipment is top notch and this is a high pick,
it enables metalcraft, makes infect creatures
even deadlier and is just around solid.
