Deathrender: A Versatile Artifact Equipment Card

TL;DR Summary

Deathrender is a powerful artifact equipment card that grants +2/+2 to equipped creatures and enables flexible recursion of creatures and equipment. Its unique ability to create a new creature when its equipped creature dies makes it an invaluable tool in various strategies, from infinite recursion combos to equipment-based decks.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Deathrender's mechanics are straightforward:

• Equipped creature gets +2/+2: This simple boost can be applied to any equipped creature, making Deathrender a versatile card that can complement a wide range of creatures.
• Whenever equipped creature dies, you may put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield and attach this Equipment to it: This ability creates an endless loop of recursion, provided its equipped creature is sacrificed.

The implications of this ability are far-reaching:

• It creates a potential infinite combo with cards like Klingblade Fusilite or Soratami Mirror-Guard, which can be equipped to create additional recursion.
• It interacts favorably with cards that benefit from dying creatures, such as Griselbrand or Lukka, Coppercoat Legion General.
• It also synergizes with creatures that have death triggers, like Eidolon of the Great Revel.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Deathrender's versatility makes it a valuable addition to various deck archetypes:

• Combo Deck: Attach Deathrender to a creature like Liliana of the Veil or Klingblade Fusilite, then sacrifice it to create an infinite loop of recursion.
• Recursion Deck: Use Deathrender to create an endless supply of creatures, making it easier to ramp into more expensive spells and cards.
• Equipment-Based Deck: Attach Deathrender to a creature like Atraxa, Praetors' Voice or Soratami Mirror-Guard, then use the +2/+2 boost to overwhelm opponents.

Some notable combos include:

• Klingblade Fusilite, Deathrender, and Eidolon of the Great Revel: Create an infinite loop of recursion by sacrificing creatures and equipping Deathrender.
• Lukka, Coppercoat Legion General, Deathrender, and Griselbrand: Use Lukka's death trigger to create a large creature, then use Deathrender to attach it to Griselbrand and sacrifice it for another creature.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Deathrender can fit into various deck archetypes:

• Combo: As mentioned earlier, Deathrender is a key component in infinite recursion combos.
• Recursion: Its ability to create an endless supply of creatures makes it a valuable addition to recursion decks.
• Equipment-Based: Attach Deathrender to a creature like Atraxa, Praetors' Voice or Soratami Mirror-Guard, then use the +2/+2 boost to overwhelm opponents.

In terms of deckbuilding considerations:

• Deathrender is best played in decks with a high creature count and low life total, as its ability to create new creatures and equipment relies on sacrificing an equipped creature.
• It's essential to have a way to sacrifice equipped creatures, such as Soratami Mirror-Guard or Eidolon of the Great Revel.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Deathrender has seen play in various formats:

• Modern: Deathrender is a staple in some Modern decks, particularly those focused on recursion and combo.
• Commander: Its ability to create an endless supply of creatures makes it a popular choice for Commander decks.

In terms of competitive context:

• Deathrender is often used in combination with other cards that benefit from recursion or dying creatures.
• Its price point and availability make it an accessible card for players looking to explore more complex strategies.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Deathrender has several rules interactions worth noting:

• Equipped creature gets +2/+2: This ability interacts favorably with cards like Klingblade Fusilite or Soratami Mirror-Guard, which can be equipped to create additional recursion.
• Whenever equipped creature dies, you may put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield and attach this Equipment to it: This ability has no interaction with other abilities that allow for recursive creation of creatures.

Some technical notes:

• Deathrender's ability is triggered by the death of its equipped creature, not the sacrifice of the equipment itself.
• The new creature created by Deathrender's ability does not count as an equipable creature.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Deathrender's art features a dark, gothic-inspired design, depicting a sword-wielding figure surrounded by skulls. Its flavor text reads:

"Take the last breath of life from your enemies."

In terms of historical context:

• Deathrender was first printed in the Dominaria set, released in 1995.
• It has since seen printings in various sets, including Rivals of Ixalan and Core Set 2020.

Summary of Key Points

Deathrender is a versatile artifact equipment card that:

• Grants +2/+2 to equipped creatures
• Creates an endless loop of recursion when its equipped creature dies
• Interacts favorably with cards that benefit from recursion or dying creatures
• Can fit into various deck archetypes, including combo and recursion decks

Its unique ability makes it a valuable tool in various strategies, from infinite recursion combos to equipment-based decks.