Hornbash Mentor MTG Card


Enhancing battlefield position by consistently boosting creatures, Hornbash Mentor can steadily outpace opponents. Resource acceleration is key, with the Mentor’s ability to amplify creature power and toughness over time. Strategically superior, it complements instant speed spells and abilities for adaptable in-game tactics.
Hornbash Mentor - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number159
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byWisnu Tan

Text of card

When Hornbash Mentor enters the battlefield, put a trample counter on target non-Human creature you control. , : Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control with trample.

"We share the same nuanced opinion of hunters and military goons: smash them."


Cards like Hornbash Mentor

Hornbash Mentor is an intriguing creature card that brings a unique ability to enhance the power of your MTG deck, specifically for players who favor counters. Its closest relative in terms of functionality is Armament Master, another card that bolsters the strength of other creatures. Although Armament Master increases the power based on equipped artifacts, Hornbash Mentor focuses on placing +1/+1 counters. This subtle difference illustrates how Hornbash Mentor seamlessly integrates with counter-centric decks, compared to the equipment strategy needed for Armament Master.

When looking at another parallel, we encounter Inspiring Captain. This card offers an immediate power boost to creatures you control but unlike Hornbash Mentor, the gain is temporary and doesn’t hinge on the +1/+1 counter mechanic. This makes Hornbash Mentor a potentially more strategic choice for longer-term advantage in the game. Then there’s Always Watching, a non-creature spell providing a permanent stat increase and vigilance. However, Always Watching lacks the mentorship aspect and hands-on control over individual creature’s growth that Hornbash Mentor provides.

After comparing these cards, Hornbash Mentor certainly finds its niche within the green creature buffs in MTG. It caters to a specific gameplay style that rewards players for building and customizing their creatures’ strength over time.

Armament Master - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Captain - MTG Card versions
Always Watching - MTG Card versions
Armament Master - MTG Card versions
Inspiring Captain - MTG Card versions
Always Watching - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hornbash Mentor comes with the built-in potential to improve your battlefield position by enhancing a creature every turn. This consistent benefit to your creatures can help outpace your opponent’s resources over time.

Resource Acceleration: By using Hornbash Mentor’s ability to put a +1/+1 counter on another target creature with trample, you accelerate the effectiveness of your creatures. This amplification of power and toughness can be a significant resource as you work toward overwhelming your opponents.

Instant Speed: Although this card doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, it synergizes well with creatures and spells that do, enabling you to adjust tactics on the fly. The mentor’s ability must be activated on your turn, but other instant speed interactions in your deck will benefit from the trample and power boost provided by Hornbash Mentor, increasing their impact during vital turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hornbash Mentor demands that you discard a card to utilize its ability to put a trample counter on another target creature. This can potentially deplete your hand and diminish your strategic options, particularly if your hand is already sparse or if each card holds considerable value for your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both green mana and colorless mana, Hornbash Mentor can be restrictive in deck-building. Its presence is predominantly felt in green-centered or two-color decks, where the mana base can consistently support green mana demands, possibly limiting its versatility across a broader range of deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Hornbash Mentor may seem reasonably priced, but when compared to other cards at similar cost, the immediate impact on the board could be deemed lacking. In competitive play, where mana efficiency is paramount, Hornbash Mentor might not be the most economical option for the trample ability or for a three-drop creature, making players ponder its inclusion in fast-paced or mana-efficient strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hornbash Mentor fits well in a variety of Green-based, creature-centric decks. Its ability to put +1/+1 counters on creatures makes it a natural fit in strategies that capitalize on counter synergies.

Combo Potential: As a card with the ability to both buff creatures and grant them Trample, it opens up opportunities for combination with cards that benefit from creatures with counters or that deal combat damage to players due to the Trample ability.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where midrange decks shine or against decks that use a lot of creatures without Trample, Hornbash Mentor provides a way to push through damage and maintain board presence, making it a relevant choice for such an environment.


How to beat

Hornbash Mentor is known for its prowess in boosting creatures with trample within the game of Magic: The Gathering. As a card that can bolster your battlefield presence by adding +1/+1 counters and granting one of your creatures greater power, it takes a strategic approach to tackle its abilities effectively. Despite its strengths, Hornbash Mentor can be outmaneuvered.

To counter the impact of Hornbash Mentor, consider using removal spells that can target it before its ability becomes a threat. Efficient removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile offer cost-effective ways of dealing with this creature before it starts to beef up its fellow creatures. Moreover, you can inhibit the card’s influence with counter spells like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto when it’s cast, preventing it from ever hitting the battlefield. Lastly, negating its ability to apply +1/+1 counters by incorporating cards that control or remove abilities, such as Shadowspear or Frogify, can turn the tide in your favor. By addressing the Mentor swiftly and leveraging these strategies, its potential to dominate the game can be significantly reduced.


BurnMana Recommendations

If Hornbash Mentor has piqued your interest, enhancing your MTG play style might just be a few clicks away. Delving deeper into the game is all about uncovering how each card can optimize your deck’s strategy. Hornbash Mentor’s potential to steadily amplify your creatures’ power could be the game-changer you need. Be it for a collector’s value, its strategic merit in a midrange deck, or its synergy with trample-centric play, this card brings a distinctive edge. Discover more insights, strategies, and tricks that could give you the upper hand in your next MTG match. Let’s explore the vast world of Magic the Gathering together, unlocking new levels of gameplay expertise.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hornbash Mentor MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Hornbash Mentor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hornbash Mentor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal