Clockwork Swarm MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 104
2011-01-10 - Number 192
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Insect |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Cannot be blocked by walls. When Clockwork Swarm comes into play, put four +1/+0 counters on it. At the end of any combat in which Clockwork Swarm attacked or blocked, remove one of these counters. o X, oc T: Put X +1/+0 counters on Clockwork Swarm. You may have no more than four of these counters on Clockwork Swarm. Use this ability only during your upkeep.
Cards like Clockwork Swarm
Clockwork Swarm is an intriguing creature card that finds its place within the artifact creature space in Magic: The Gathering. It shares thematic and mechanical similarities with other creature cards, such as Clockwork Beast. Both are artifact creatures that come into play with +1/+0 counters and can be wound down to increase their longevity in combat. Yet, Clockwork Swarm differs by allowing the counters to be shifted to another artifact creature under your control, potentially distributing the strength across multiple threats on the battlefield.
Another card echoing a semblance to Clockwork Swarm is Arcbound Reclaimer, which also manipulates +1/+1 counters but with a focus on recursion from the graveyard rather than direct combat enhancements. Furthermore, we see a different flavor of modular mechanics in Arcbound Ravager, which offers a sacrificial strategy, allowing you to transfer its +1/+1 counters by demolishing your own board for a lethal swing.
All told, Clockwork Swarm stands as a unique component in the MTG ecosystem, mixing aspects of counter manipulation and board presence adaptivity. It’s a card that can not only bolster its own power but also support a synergistic artifact strategy, marking its distinct role among its artifact creature peers.
Cards similar to Clockwork Swarm by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Clockwork Swarm may not directly let you draw cards, but it can present a recurring threat on the board. If it’s sent to the top of your deck, it’s ready to be summoned again, maintaining your creature presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Clockwork Swarm itself doesn’t accelerate your resources, it’s a piece in various artifact synergies that can lead to potent combos and mana ramp in the right deck.
Instant Speed: Although Clockwork Swarm is not an instant, it works well alongside cards that operate at instant speed. Its mechanic ensures that your mana is available for quick response spells during your opponent’s turn after deploying your Swarm.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Clockwork Swarm necessitates discarding cards to unlock its full potential, which might deplete valuable hand assets, especially in the late game when resources are scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes color-specific mana, this card aligns strictly with decks that can generate that exact mana, potentially limiting deck building variety and flexibility in play strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the initial investment of four mana, one might expect a significant impact on the board state, yet alternative creatures or spells at similar cost might yield a more substantial presence or effect, casting a shadow on Clockwork Swarm’s cost efficiency.
Reasons to Include Clockwork Swarm in Your Collection
Versatility: Clockwork Swarm presents a unique mechanical application, being able to modify its power and toughness through the manipulation of +1/+0 counters. This enables it to fit within various deck strategies that interact with counter manipulation or require adaptable creature abilities.
Combo Potential: As part of decks that focus on counter doubling effects or those that can untap creatures easily, Clockwork Swarm can surprisingly become a formidable force. It can interact with a range of cards that change or make use of counters, making it a card worth exploring for combo lovers.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where games are drawn out or where incremental advantage is key, Clockwork Swarm thrives. Its ability to rebuild after being blocked or after attacking provides a level of resilience that can be particularly effective against certain control or attrition strategies.
How to beat
Clockwork Swarm presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This artifact creature is known for its resilience, coming back with four +1/+0 counters after being on the receiving end of a spell or ability. To effectively counter this persistent threat, players need to adopt strategies that do not involve targeting it directly. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can sweep away the Swarm without triggering its counter-gathering return.
Additionally, strategies that limit a player’s ability to untap all creatures during their untap step, such as with the card Stasis, can be particularly crippling to a creature like Clockwork Swarm. This prohibits it from attacking and fully utilizing its potential. One must also consider options like exile effects or cards that force a player to sacrifice a creature, as they bypass the counter mechanic entirely, preventing its return to the battlefield.
Understanding the card’s strengths and applying smart, direct solutions will allow players to navigate around Clockwork Swarm’s defenses. Keeping a flexible and control-oriented mindset will undoubtedly lead to establishing dominance over this mechanical menace.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Clockwork Swarm MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Masters Edition IV, 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 Clockwork Swarm 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 Clockwork Swarm Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Amy Weber.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 104 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 192 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Clockwork Swarm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Clockwork Swarm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Can attack or block even if it has no counters. |
| 2004-10-04 | If the ability to add counters resolves when there are already the maximum number of counters on it, any counters over the maximum are simply not added. |
| 2004-10-04 | Loses a counter even if it is affected by a Fog-like effect which prevents it from dealing damage. |