Briarhorn MTG Card
2007-10-12 - Number 199
2009-09-04 - Number 69
2011-09-02 - Number 14
2016-09-02 - Number 3
2019-11-07 - Number 1148
2020-09-26 - Number DDR-3
Text of card
Flash When Briarhorn comes into play, target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn. Evoke (You may play this spell for its evoke cost. If you do, it's sacrificed when it comes into play.)
Cards like Briarhorn
Briarhorn is a unique card in MTG, featuring characteristics that align it with various other cards in creature-based strategies. Among its peers, Briarhorn shares its flash ability with the likes of Ambush Viper, allowing players to catch opponents off-guard during combat. However, the comparison starts to split when it comes to secondary abilities. While Ambush Viper boasts deathtouch, providing significant board control, Briarhorn instead brings a temporary power and toughness boost when it enters the battlefield.
Proceeding further, we can compare Briarhorn to Boon Satyr. Both offer versatility with their instant-speed appearance and the ability to affect combat scenarios. Boon Satyr stands out with its bestow mechanic, offering a lasting enchantment effect if the creature it’s bestowed upon survives. On the flip side, Briarhorn’s impact is felt immediately and can lead to quick combat tricks but lacks the enduring presence Boon Satyr provides.
Ultimately, players eyeing creature-centric decks with a surprise element will find Briarhorn to be a solid pick. Its capability to sway combat outcomes and its synergetic Evoke cost make it an interesting choice for green decks aimed at maintaining tempo and board advantage.
Cards similar to Briarhorn by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Briarhorn has a potent Entwine option that grants you both a creature and an instant combat trick in one card. This provides a tangible card advantage as it means you’re effectively getting two cards’ worth of utility from a single card.
Resource Acceleration: Although Briarhorn itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, it does synergize well with decks that operate on efficient creature plays. The ability to flash it in means you can save resources for the most pivotal moment, making your overall mana usage more effective.
Instant Speed: The flash ability of Briarhorn is where it truly shines. It allows for surprise blocks or unforeseen boosts in combat, disrupting your opponent’s strategy. It keeps your adversary guessing, providing psychological advantages while keeping your tactical options open.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When activating Briarhorn’s evoke ability, it necessitates the card to be sacrificed, which can be a significant drawback during moments when maintaining board presence is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires both green mana and generic mana to cast, potentially making it a less flexible option for decks that run more than two colors and require a stable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two green, Briarhorn might seem steep for its base stats. Other creatures or spells at this cost could potentially offer more impact or versatility on the game.
Reasons to Include Briarhorn in Your Collection
Versatility: Briarhorn stands out with its flexible casting options. Its Evoke ability allows you to get both an instant-speed combat trick and a creature on the battlefield all in one card, making it a multifaceted tool in Green decks.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its ability to provide a surprise buff, Briarhorn can easily fit within combos that capitalize on temporary power boosts or need a quick defensive creature to turn the tide of the battle.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG meta shifts, Briarhorn remains relevant due to its ability to disrupt opponent attacks or pump up your creatures for a decisive combat phase. Its adaptability ensures it has a place in various deck types facing an ever-changing competitive landscape.
How to beat
Briarhorn can be a thorny issue for many players in Magic: The Gathering with its flash ability allowing it to surprise an opponent by entering the battlefield and boosting another creature’s power and toughness. This green creature from the Eventide set can quickly turn the tides of battle, making it imperative for opponents to strategize wisely to counter it effectively.
Combat tricks can become useless if your opponent anticipates them. Hence, when it comes to handling Briarhorn, timing is everything. Keep removal spells handy for when Briarhorn is flashed in. Cards like Path to Exile or Doom Blade can dispose of it before it has a chance to amplify another creature’s attributes. Additionally, counterspells like Cancel or Mana Leak can preemptively deal with this creature before it ever hits the board. Keep in mind the Evoke mechanic, which can still trigger the enter-the-battlefield effect even if Briarhorn is going to be sacrificed; so, it’s best to respond while it’s still on the stack.
In essence, staying one step ahead and keeping the right cards in reserve can ensure that Briarhorn won’t catch you off guard, preserving the balance of power in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Briarhorn MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Planechase, 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 Briarhorn 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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Printings
The Briarhorn Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-10-12 | Lorwyn | LRW | 199 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 69 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | 2011-09-02 | Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas | DDH | 14 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 4 | 2016-09-02 | Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis | DDR | 3 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 5 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1148 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 6 | The List | PLST | DDR-3 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Briarhorn has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Briarhorn card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | If you cast this card for its evoke cost, you may put the sacrifice trigger and the regular enters-the-battlefield trigger on the stack in either order. The one put on the stack last will resolve first. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.