In a game built on tempo and battlefield control, Cleave arrives as a 1-cost combat enhancer that can turn any unit into an immediate threat.
As the first wave of red combat tricks drops, Cleave stakes its claim as an early-game combat booster or a sudden finisher.
Gameplay / Cool Mechanics
Cleave is a 1-cost Spell with the Action keyword:
Give a unit Assault 3 this turn. (+3 defense while it’s an attacker.)
That translate to a free +3 defend bonus when you attack—turning a 1/1 token into a 1/4 punisher, or beefing up a 3/2 rookie into a 3/5 spoiler.
On turn one, you might not always have a unit ready, but once you do, Cleave can flip trades in your favor, clear blockers, or push through extra damage.
In mid-game, Cleave enables surprise lethal or forces awkward blockers. Its low cost makes it perfect in red aggro or midrange decks that need to maximize every mana pip.
Visuals
The oversized battle axe gleams against a backdrop of swirling red cloth and abstraction—no battlefield, no hero, just the weapon itself. Light catches the blade’s edge in sharp highlights, emphasizing its deadly curve.
The red drapery suggests motion and violence, as if the axe has just completed a savage swing. By focusing solely on the weapon, the art captures the essence of the card: enhancing raw combat power with a simple gesture.
Pull Rate & Value Speculation
-
Set Code: OGN
-
Card Number: 004/298
-
Rarity: Common
-
Foil Version: Included in all Origins boosters
-
Alt Art / Overnumbered: None revealed yet
As a staple combat trick, Cleave will see play in nearly any red deck that values combat tricks—making it a high-volume draft pick.
Its common rarity means foils are plentiful, but binders looking for utility spells will highlight it. If showdowns become a meta focus, Cleave’s value may rise among players seeking tactical edge.
Cleave is straightforward but effective: a one-drop that rewards aggression and punishes tight combat trades.
In Riftbound’s tempo-driven battlefield, this axe of an effect earns every mana pip it costs—and could save you a turn or two of bruising.
