The instant your eyes land on Cleave, you feel the weight of its swing. This isn’t a delicate rapier or a graceful sword—it’s a brutal, two-handed axe poised for one devastating chop.
The mood is raw aggression, an unspoken promise of a single, bone-shattering strike.
Illustration Breakdown
The composition centers on the head of the axe, its blade wider than a soldier’s torso, caught in mid-swing against a backdrop of swirling red fabric. The perspective tilts slightly upward, making the axe seem even more imposing.
Deep crimson folds ripple behind it, hinting at blood or a billowing banner, while streaks of light glance off the metal, highlighting the blade’s sharp edge. Subtle scratches and nicks along the axe’s surface suggest countless battles fought.
There’s no hero or hand gripping the haft—just the weapon itself, suspended in an abstract space. That absence of a wielder shifts focus entirely onto the instrument of war, emphasizing Cleave’s role as a pure conduit of force.
Gameplay Integration
Mechanically, Cleave is a 1-cost Spell with:
Action (Play on your turn or in showdowns.)
Give a unit Assault 3 this turn. (+3 defense while it’s an attacker.)
In gameplay terms, Cleave transforms a unit into an unstoppable force for the turn. The art’s potent imagery of the axe mid-arc mirrors the card’s function: granting Assault 3 is akin to giving your unit that very axe-wielding power, boosting its toughness as it charges.
The absence of a background figure connects to the spell’s flexibility—you supply the target unit, and the axe becomes their instrument.
Whether you’re clearing a blocker or pushing through final points of damage, the axe’s feral presence in the illustration embodies that tactical strike.
Collector Details / Value Mention
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Set Code: OGN
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Card Number: 004/298
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Rarity: Common
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Foil Version: Available in all standard Origins booster packs
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Alt Art / Overnumbered: No premium variant revealed yet
While Cleave is a straightforward common combat trick, its striking art makes foil pulls stand out. The dramatic red drapery and gleaming axe head pop under shimmer, creating a visually arresting binder entry.
As aggressive and tempo-focused decks gain momentum, Cleave’s value among players remains stable—an essential one-drop to keep your threats alive and swinging.
Collectors who favor bold, weapon-focused imagery will find this foil version an attractive addition, even if it never becomes a high-dollar chase card.
In a world of massive dragons and arcane sorcery, Cleave reminds you that sometimes the simplest weapon—an axe swung true—carries the most visceral impact.
Its art captures that singular moment of power, and its gameplay delivers the same immediate punch.
Read more – The Art of Noxus Hopeful from Riftbound TCG
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