Cloakwood Swarmkeeper MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elf Ranger |
| Abilities | Gathered Swarm |
| Released | 2022-06-10 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | CLB |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 222 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Yangtian Li |
Text of card
Gathered Swarm — Whenever one or more tokens enter the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on Cloakwood Swarmkeeper.
When he's threatened, the forest buzzes and the air hums with dragonfly wings.
Cards like Cloakwood Swarmkeeper
Cloakwood Swarmkeeper enhances Magic: The Gathering’s range of creature cards with beneficial abilities. Similar to Hornet Queen, the Swarmkeeper generates insect tokens upon entering the battlefield. While Hornet Queen creates four 1/1 insect tokens with flying and deathtouch, the Cloakwood Swarmkeeper’s tokens lack deathtouch but gain menace – a subtle difference that could impact defensive and offensive strategies.
Next up is Ant Queen, which boasts the ability to create insect tokens as well. Although a continuous source of tokens is powerful, it’s at a mana cost each time, making the Swarmkeeper a more mana-efficient choice for an immediate swarm. Delving into another insect maker, Izoni, Thousand-Eyed provides a similar effect. Izoni generates a number of insect tokens equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard when it enters the battlefield, potentially offering a larger swarm than the Swarmkeeper. However, Izoni’s higher mana cost and reliance on graveyard setup give the Swarmkeeper an edge in terms of speed and ease of use.
In essence, Cloakwood Swarmkeeper holds its place among the insect token creating cards in MTG with its ability to amass a menacing force quickly, providing players with a robust option for token-based decks.
Cards similar to Cloakwood Swarmkeeper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Cloakwood Swarmkeeper card is a gem when it comes to replenishing your hand. With the ability to generate insect tokens under certain conditions, it can transform a single card into multiple threats, setting you up for maintaining pressure on your opponent and gaining incremental advantage as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: Its inherent synergy with other insect and token-generating strategies can lead to an impressive ramp-up in your board state. By summoning additional creatures, Cloakwood Swarmkeeper can boost your resource pool. This acceleration is critical for overpowering opponents and executing your strategy efficiently.
Instant Speed: One of the strengths of this card is its ability to operate at instant speed, which offers strategic flexibility in gameplay. You can adapt to the unfolding game, deploying your resources in the most opportune moments. This adaptability keeps your adversaries guessing and allows for a more dynamic response to their tactics.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cloakwood Swarmkeeper may necessitate a discard from your hand to activate its most potent abilities. This demand can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s need for a precise combination of mana types can be restrictive, especially in multicolored decks. It requires green mana, which could challenge mana bases not heavily invested in green.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment to get Cloakwood Swarmkeeper on the battlefield is significant. For the same cost, players could potentially cast creatures with immediate board impact or lower-cost creatures that enable faster gameplay strategies.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Cloakwood Swarmkeeper can seamlessly integrate into insect-themed decks as well as those focused on token generation. Its ability to create insect tokens ensures that it will be a asset in various strategies that capitalize on creature swarm tactics.
Combo Potential: With each insect you control, Cloakwood Swarmkeeper boosts your mana pool, having synergy with cards that feed off token quantity or need substantial mana to activate powerful abilities, thereby enhancing your deck’s explosive potential.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are often prevalent, having a card that can consistently populate the board and ramp up your resources makes Cloakwood Swarmkeeper a relevant choice in many competitive settings.
How to beat
Cloakwood Swarmkeeper is a unique creature card with the ability to generate an overwhelming number of insect tokens in Magic: The Gathering. When facing such a card, players should consider including board-clearing spells or abilities in their deck. Sweepers, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can reset the board and remove all insect tokens in one fell swoop, regardless of how many are present. Spot removal is less efficient against the Swarmkeeper due to its ability to rapidly repopulate the board.
Alternatively, managing the pace at which your opponent’s creatures can grow is key. Cards with “tap target creature” effects or those that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking that turn can buy you valuable time. Reducing insect token creation by removing the Swarmkeeper itself is crucial. Use targeted removal spells like Path to Exile or Murder to eliminate it before it can become a larger threat. Additionally, enchantments that limit the ability to cast creature spells or activate abilities can keep the swarm at bay.
In essence, to effectively counteract Cloakwood Swarmkeeper, consider a deck with an assortment of mass removal spells, targeted creature removal, and control elements to prevent your opponent from establishing a dominant board presence.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cloakwood Swarmkeeper MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Cloakwood Swarmkeeper 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cloakwood Swarmkeeper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |