Hotfoot Gnome MTG Card


Hotfoot Gnome can chip away at opponents, disrupt strategies, and provide continuous battlefield pressure. Despite mana restrictions, its ability is activated on opponents’ turns, offering strategic versatility. Understanding its limitations in hand management and mana cost is essential for effective use.
Hotfoot Gnome - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Gnome
Abilities Haste
Released2023-11-17
Set symbol
Set nameThe Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Set codeLCI
Power 3
Toughness 1
Number154
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Text of card

Haste : Another target creature gains haste until end of turn.

As the surface-dwellers became bolder in their intrusions, Oltec artificers began to repurpose courier gnomes for intelligence gathering and distraction.


Cards like Hotfoot Gnome

Hotfoot Gnome carves its own niche in the pantheon of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. When stacked against its peers, one can draw comparisons to other creatures like Goblin Arsonist. Both serve as early-game plays that can impact the board with damage-dealing effects upon leaving the battlefield. However, Hotfoot Gnome provides a continuous choice each turn to either become a menace to planeswalkers or to serve as a thorn in your opponent’s side directly.

Another card worth mentioning is Fanatical Firebrand, which offers both haste and a one-off opportunity to deal damage when it’s sacrificed, akin to the Gnome’s potential damage output. Nevertheless, the Gnome’s ability to repeatedly threaten and redirect damage each turn without needing to be sacrificed can edge it out in terms of board presence over time. Then there’s Torch Courier, bringing haste to the table and sharing it when sacrificed; however, it lacks the Gnome’s consistent damage capability each turn.

Though not a powerhouse, Hotfoot Gnome certainly shines in its versatility and persistence, potentially offering more strategic options turn after turn when compared to other comparable single-use creatures.

Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Fanatical Firebrand - MTG Card versions
Torch Courier - MTG Card versions
Goblin Arsonist - MTG Card versions
Fanatical Firebrand - MTG Card versions
Torch Courier - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hotfoot Gnome by color, type and mana cost

Heart of Ramos - MTG Card versions
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Heart of Ramos - MTG Card versions
Breya's Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cursed Mirror - MTG Card versions
Battlemage's Bracers - MTG Card versions
Komainu Battle Armor - MTG Card versions
Geistflame Reservoir - MTG Card versions
Granite Shard - MTG Card versions
Goblin Replica - MTG Card versions
Foriysian Totem - MTG Card versions
Vulshok Replica - MTG Card versions
Spin Engine - MTG Card versions
Weldfast Monitor - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Tank - MTG Card versions
Brimstone Trebuchet - MTG Card versions
Glittering Stockpile - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Hammer - MTG Card versions
Bearded Axe - MTG Card versions
Gilded Assault Cart - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Tracker - MTG Card versions
Mountain Mover - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gaining card advantage is crucial in MTG, as it determines who has more resources to outmaneuver their opponent. Hotfoot Gnome might not directly let you draw cards, but it can repeatedly deal minor damage, potentially drawing out game-changing spells from your opponent or whittling down their life force.

Resource Acceleration: While Hotfoot Gnome doesn’t directly produce additional mana, it’s a low-cost creature. Its cheap deployment fee allows players to flood the battlefield quickly and reserve mana for other strategic plays or responses during the match.

Instant Speed: As a creature, Hotfoot Gnome can’t be cast at instant speed. However, its ability can often be activated on your opponent’s turn, providing a form of constant pressure and interaction during their gameplay, which can disrupt their strategy or force them into unfavorable actions at suboptimal times.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Hotfoot Gnome requires precise timing, as failure to utilize the card effectively could force you into unnecessary card loss, leaving you at a disadvantage when in need of a robust hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands red mana, which could pose a challenge for multi-color deck strategies where mana flexibility is key to a well-executed game plan.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When weighing the benefits against the cost, Hotfoot Gnome’s mana expenditure appears excessive. Players may find other cards with lower mana demands or with abilities providing greater strategic value to their gameplay.


Reasons to Include Hotfoot Gnome in Your Collection

Versatility: Hotfoot Gnome finds its place across a wide array of decks, particularly those keen on strategies that benefit from continuous creature pressure or artifacts. Its ability to impact the board every turn makes it a consistent threat that can adapt to various situations in a game.

Combo Potential: This card holds combo potential by synergizing with artifacts and damage-increasing effects. Utilizing Hotfoot Gnome could unlock new avenues for creative combo decks, leveraging its repeatable ability to deal damage and working well with effects that trigger upon damage or when creatures tap.

Meta-Relevance: Hotfoot Gnome’s relevance in the current meta can rise with the prevalence of decks that are susceptible to incremental damage or can be disrupted by artifacts. Its low-cost and persistent presence on the battlefield make it a handy tool against specific metagame challenges.


How to beat

The Hotfoot Gnome presents an intriguing dynamic on the battleground of Magic: The Gathering. It’s a card that demands immediate attention; its ability to nullify the lifelink ability makes it a unique counter in today’s meta. To overrun this pesky creature, a straightforward strategy is to target it with cheap removal spells. These will help ensure that your pivotal creatures with lifelink can perform unhindered, securing your life total against aggressive decks.

Another tactic would be to outpace the Gnome by flooding the board with numerous creatures. This way, the Gnome’s single-target ability becomes less impactful, allowing your horde to swing in. Additionally, using spells that grant your creatures indestructible for a turn can temporarily invalidate the Gnome’s efforts, giving you a clear window to attack or defend as needed, without losing the precious lifelink advantage. In essence, quick removal or overwhelming presence are key to nullifying the Gnome’s pesky ability.

Ultimately, Hotfoot Gnome commands respect in Magic: The Gathering for its unique disrupting abilities. However, with a concise game plan and the proper spells, besting this card and keeping your lifelinkers in play is a manageable feat—keeping your strategy intact and your health points on the rise.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hotfoot Gnome MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Hotfoot Gnome and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hotfoot Gnome has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal