A-Iridescent Hornbeetle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Released | 2020-09-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Zendikar Rising |
| Set code | ZNR |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | A-187 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Simon Dominic |
Text of card
At the beginning of your end step, create a 1/1 green Insect creature token for each +1/+1 counter you've put on creatures under your control this turn.
Cards like A-Iridescent Hornbeetle
A-Iridescent Hornbeetle offers a unique dynamic in Magic: The Gathering for players fond of bolstering their boards with an army of creatures. This card works wonders within decks that focus on +1/+1 counters, providing a steady stream of insect tokens at the end of your turn, so long as you have a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it. Functionally, it bears similarity to cards such as Scute Swarm which capitalizes on landfall triggers to create copies of itself, though A-Iridescent Hornbeetle’s penchant is towards counter manipulation.
Another comparable card is Mycoloth, which devours your creatures upon entering the battlefield but pays dividends in saproling tokens at each of your upkeeps, potentially offering a larger immediate impact if you have the creatures to sacrifice. While A-Iridescent Hornbeetle isn’t as aggressive, it allows for a more controlled and stable token generation strategy with less upfront cost. Lastly, consider cards like Juniper Order Ranger, which not only puts +1/+1 counters on other creatures but grows alongside them, although without the same token spawning ability.
When considering the utility of A-Iridescent Hornbeetle in decks built around +1/+1 counters, it stands out for its ability to consistently fill the board and maintain pressure without the risk inherent in other similar mechanics.
Cards similar to A-Iridescent Hornbeetle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A-Iridescent Hornbeetle has the potential to create multiple 1/1 green Insect creature tokens, helping you build a substantial presence on the board while maintaining card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: With each +1/+1 counter you place on your creatures, the Hornbeetle generates additional creatures, effectively ramping up your resources and providing more opportunities for powerful synergies within the deck.
Instant Speed: Although A-Iridescent Hornbeetle operates at sorcery speed, its ability to generate tokens every turn allows you to maximize your mana efficiency and makes it a top candidate in decks that can manipulate counters at instant speed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While A-Iridescent Hornbeetle doesn’t directly necessitate discarding cards, it does rely on a specific board state to be effective. Without creatures with +1/+1 counters on the battlefield, it becomes an underutilized card in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: A-Iridescent Hornbeetle has a restrictive mana cost that requires both green and another color, making it less flexible for deck variations that cannot consistently generate the necessary mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring five mana to cast, this card comes into play later in the game. Considering the abundance of lower cost creatures that can influence the board sooner, its cost puts it at a disadvantage in fast-paced matches where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include A-Iridescent Hornbeetle in Your Collection
Versatility: A-Iridescent Hornbeetle offers a range of uses across numerous deck archetypes. As a creature that generates insect tokens, it can seamlessly fit into token strategies or decks that focus on +1/+1 counters, making it a flexible pick for many players.
Combo Potential: The ability to produce a 1/1 insect with each +1/+1 counter gives this card a natural synergy with proliferate and doubling effects. This potential for exponential creature production can lead to explosive turns and synergize with sacrifice or overrun strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where the board presence and incremental advantage are key, A-Iridescent Hornbeetle shines by consistently creating additional creatures. It’s particularly relevant in metas that reward wide strategies and complement the resilience against board clears.
How to beat
A-Iridescent Hornbeetle is a unique addition to creature-rich decks in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to produce 1/1 green Insect creature tokens at the beginning of your end step for each +1/+1 counter put on creatures under your control that turn can quickly snowball into an overwhelming board presence. This synergistic ability makes it a prime target for removal.
To effectively neutralize the Hornbeetle’s potential, it’s essential to limit its opportunities to create tokens. Removal spells are a player’s best friend in this scenario. It’s often a good strategy to keep mana open to cast instant-speed removal like Murder or Doom Blade before the Hornbeetle’s triggered ability can resolve at the end step, preventing any token generation.
Counter spells also prove effective against this card before it even hits the field, featuring options like Counterspell or Negate depending on your mana availability. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the state of the game, sweeping away all creature advantages the Hornbeetle could have procured. By managing the threats of A-Iridescent Hornbeetle swiftly and methodically, players can mitigate its influence and continue to vie for control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase A-Iridescent Hornbeetle MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 A-Iridescent Hornbeetle and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where A-Iridescent Hornbeetle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |