Ant Queen MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Insect |
Power | 5 |
Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
: Create a 1/1 green Insect creature token.
"Kill the queen first, or we'll be fighting her drones forever. It is not in a queen's nature to have enough servants." —Borzard, exterminator captain
Understanding the Hive
Ant Queen is an intriguing creature in the ecosystem of green cards, nesting comfortably among other token-generating powerhouses. This five-mana-cost insect is particularly known for her prolific ability to create a 1/1 insect creature token for each two mana you invest, presenting a unique advantage in games where resources are abundant.
Cards like Ant Queen
When examining Ant Queen’s relative capacity for swarm strategies, it aligns with other creature-generating cards such as Mycoloth. Mycoloth demands a greater initial investment and a sacrifice of creatures to devour, but in return, it produces potentially an even larger army of saprolings. Rhino tokens generated by Siege Rhino, while not as numerous, come with added trample damage. While Ant Queen lacks the direct damage or the snowballing potential of Mycoloth, her ability doesn’t require the delay of devour or an entry effect, allowing for instant tactical flexibility.
Another comparison is with Hornet Queen, which, for one additional mana, gives a burst of flying deathtreats, rather than the steady infantry Ant Queen provides. This difference showcases the Ant Queen’s strength in providing a reliable and repeatable token creation that doesn’t rely on entering the battlefield or dying, but rather the availability of mana.
Ultimately, Ant Queen holds her ground as a versatile component in green MTG decks that focus on quantity over quality, enabling a consistent stream of creatures to overwhelm any adversary.
Cards similar to Ant Queen by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Ant Queen thrives on generating a constant stream of insect tokens that bolster your board presence, effectively granting you an advantage with every activation. By investing mana, you transform resources directly into potential threats, often overwhelming opponents.
Resource Acceleration: As a standalone engine, the Ant Queen is exceptional in decks focused on ramping mana. With plentiful lands or mana-producing creatures, she can swiftly populate the field with her brood, turning surplus mana into power on the board.
Instant Speed: Although the Ant Queen herself does not operate at instant speed, her ability to create insect tokens can be activated at a moment’s notice. This versatility allows for surprise blockers or end-of-turn plays, keeping opponents guessing and allowing you to make the most of untapped resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although the Ant Queen doesn’t require a discard itself, building a deck around it might necessitate elements that manage your hand, potentially forcing you to discard valuable cards to keep those insects coming.
Specific Mana Cost: The Ant Queen costs two green mana and three generic mana. This may be challenging for multicolored decks to manage, as it demands a considerable green mana base, which could constrain deck-building options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of five mana, the Ant Queen is on the higher end of the spectrum. There are other creatures and token generators available at a lower cost, making it a less appealing option for fast-paced or mana-efficient strategies.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ant Queen thrives in a variety of green decks with its simple yet efficient mana-to-insect mechanic, opening the door for infinite creature generation in ramp or token strategies.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, such as Earthcraft or Ashnod’s Altar, Ant Queen becomes a key piece in producing an overwhelming number of tokens or infinite mana combinations, respectively.
Meta-Relevance: In environments ripe with creature-based tactics or where board presence is crucial, Ant Queen’s ability to consistently populate the battlefield can prove to be a game-changing asset.
How to Beat
Ant Queen is an intriguing creature card that offers players the ability to generate a swarm of insect tokens at will. With its ability to create 1/1 insect tokens for two mana each, Ant Queen can quickly bolster your ranks and become an overwhelming force on the battlefield. However, despite its token-generating prowess, there are strategies to effectively counter this formidable card.
Spot removal spells such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade can exile or destroy Ant Queen before its potential is realized, effectively stopping the queen from amassing her army. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation also serve as a clean answer by removing all creatures from the battlefield, including any insects already spawned. Enchantment-based answers such as Pacifism can neutralize Ant Queen without actually removing it, locking down its ability and stopping further token production. Additionally, cards that prevent token generation or have effects that trigger upon creature token creation can be particularly potent, as they can either halt or capitalize on the Queen’s main strength.
Countering Ant Queen’s abilities requires timely intervention and keeping the right answers in hand. It’s crucial to anticipate and respond to her before she can establish a considerable presence on the board. With the right tools and strategic play, you can overcome the challenge she presents and steer your game towards victory.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering the art of MTG not only involves skillful play but also a deep understanding of the cards and how they synergize within your deck. Our dive into the Ant Queen card highlighted its formidable ability to generate a growing army of insect tokens, making it a valuable asset in many green deck strategies. For players who revel in the intricacy of MTG mechanics, leveraging this card’s ability to its fullest can be both rewarding and a significant tactical advantage. If you’re eager to add Ant Queen to your collection or refine its use in your deck, we encourage you to continue learning and refining your strategies. Together, let’s explore the endless possibilities and ensure that your next encounter on the battlefield showcases the true power of Ant Queen.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ant Queen MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic 2010 Promos, 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 Ant Queen 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Ant Queen Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-07-16 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 33103 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | ||
2 | 2009-07-16 | Magic 2010 Promos | PM10 | 166★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
3 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 166 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Trevor Claxton | |
4 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 139 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Trevor Claxton |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ant Queen has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |