TCG Playability
Instant
Hexgold Slash deals 2 damage to target creature. If that creature has toxic, Hexgold Slash deals 4 damage to that creature instead.
"No matter how tough they are, even Phyrexians prefer to keep their guts on the inside." —Jor Kadeen
Hexgold Slash is a versatile red instant that offers excellent value in limited and constructed formats where toxic creatures dominate the meta. At just one red mana, this efficient removal spell provides a clean two damage baseline to answer early threats and utility creatures, but its true power emerges in matchups against poison-focused strategies. The conditional damage boost to four makes this card a critical inclusion in sideboards and main decks that expect to face toxic-heavy opposition, particularly in formats where Phyrexian strategies have gained traction. The card slots naturally into aggressive red decks that want efficient interaction, control shells looking for spot removal, and specifically into strategies that benefit from punishing toxic mechanics. In Commander and Brawl formats, Hexgold Slash serves as a flexible piece of removal that scales with the metagame, though its situational nature means deck construction requires consideration of your expected opponent pool. The instant speed is crucial, allowing you to bluff during combat or hold up interaction while presenting threats. Across all legal formats from Pauper through Vintage, this card demonstrates solid utility, though its impact varies based on how prevalent toxic creatures are in your play environment. Competitive players appreciate the efficiency of one-mana removal options, and Hexgold Slash rewards thoughtful deck building by providing meaningful damage scaling. Whether you're brewing aggressive strategies, tuning removal packages, or specifically preparing for poison-based opponents, this affordable single offers practical value and format flexibility that makes it a smart addition to any red mage's collection.
Illustrated by Eli Minaya