Apex Hawks MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bird
Abilities Flying,Multikicker
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Apex Hawks enables strategic board presence growth with its scalable multikicker ability.
  2. Mana acceleration and instant speed interaction complement Apex Hawks’ gameplay value.
  3. Resource management is crucial when using Apex Hawks to avoid potential setbacks.

Text of card

Multikicker (You may pay an additional any number of times as you cast this spell.) Flying Apex Hawks enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each time it was kicked.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Apex Hawks provides an advantageous mechanic that scales with the game, offering multiplicative benefits in terms of card utility. If played with its multikicker option, this creature can contribute significantly to a mounting board presence that can overwhelm opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While Apex Hawks itself doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration, this card excels in decks that focus on ramping up mana. By gaining extra mana quickly, players can take full advantage of the multikicker feature, effectively converting mana into flying power on the board.

Instant Speed: Although Apex Hawks is a creature card that can’t be cast at instant speed, it complements strategies that pivot around instant speed interaction. Playing other cards at instant speed until the prime moment for committing the Hawks to the battlefield keeps opponents guessing and enhances strategic depth.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in the strategic nuances of MTG often requires precise resource management. Throwing a card away can be quite a setback, particularly if your hand is already depleted from responding to an opponent’s threats or setting up your own board. Apex Hawks asks for this sacrifice if you’re aiming to utilize its multikicker ability, which could potentially leave you vulnerable if not timed well.

Specific Mana Cost: Apex Hawks’ requirement for white mana in its casting cost could make it a less flexible choice for players dabbling in multicolored decks. It aligns well with mono-white or two-colored decks but becomes more challenging to cast on curve in a deck with a wider palette of mana sources. This need for specific mana can sometimes hamper its playability in the diverse and dynamic nature of the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that escalates with each use of its multikicker ability, Apex Hawks can become quite the investment. While the payoff is a potentially larger creature, the initial investment is significant, especially when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Savvy players might find other more mana-efficient creatures that offer similar or better board presence and impact without the need for additional mana expenditure.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Apex Hawks can adapt to various in-game scenarios, offering you flexibility when building decks. Its multikicker ability allows you to tailor the card’s impact based on your current mana availability.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or creatures entering the battlefield, making it a reliable component in numerous combos.

Meta-Relevance: With the frequent shifts in the MTG competitive scene, Apex Hawks holds its ground by adjusting to the tempo of the match, whether it’s in a slower more controlling setup or a faster, aggressive build.


How to beat

Apex Hawks is a versatile creature card that fans of Magic: The Gathering appreciate for its flying ability and the multikicker feature that can make it a formidable force in the sky. When facing this card, one effective strategy is to neutralize its flying advantage. Utilizing cards with reach or spells that can handle flying creatures can diminish the impact that Apex Hawks can have on the game. Cards like Plummet or other targeted removal spells that can destroy flying creatures are especially useful here.

Moreover, it’s beneficial to manage the board state to prevent your opponent from amassing the mana needed to take full advantage of the multikicker ability. Efficient removal or counter spells can be particularly potent, ensuring the Hawks are dealt with before they grow too large. It is also worth noting that removing other creatures that could potentially buff the Hawks, predominantly via +1/+1 counters or anthem effects, can be a vital component in your strategy to keep the winged threat under control.

Conclusively, while Apex Hawks has the capacity to swoop in for substantial damage, there are several efficient countermeasures in Magic: The Gathering that can be employed to maintain the upper hand and ultimately lead your strategy towards a victorious outcome against this highflying adversary.


Cards like Apex Hawks

Apex Hawks joins the ranks as an adaptable creature within Magic: The Gathering, subtly reminding us of cards like Squadron Hawk. Both offer the ability to fly high over battlefield obstructions, with Squadron Hawk bringing its friends along by searching for additional copies of itself from your deck. Apex Hawks, however, diverges by focusing on individual strength through its multikicker ability which, when activated, can make this bird a formidable force in the air.

Another avian compatriot is Aven Squire, sharing the feathered theme and the ideal of supporting comrades through its exalted ability. While it may not grow like Apex Hawks, the exalted benefits apply to any attacking creature, potentially offering a more substantial impact on the game. The versatility of choosing to grow Apex Hawks or support another attacker with Aven Squire provides players with strategic decisions to adapt to the flow of the game.

To summarize, Apex Hawks flaunts its might in its flexibility to either escalate as a threat or serve as a dependable airborne blocker. Its kinship with cards like Squadron Hawk and Aven Squire reveal a design philosophy that values player choice and tactical variety in deck building and gameplay strategies within Magic: The Gathering.

Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Aven Squire - MTG Card versions
Squadron Hawk - Magic 2011 (M11)
Aven Squire - Conflux (CON)

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Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
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Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
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Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Field Marshal - Coldsnap (CSP)
Kithkin Healer - Lorwyn (LRW)
Kor Hookmaster - Zendikar (ZEN)
Zhalfirin Commander - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Silverblade Paladin - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Emancipation Angel - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Steelform Sliver - Magic 2014 (M14)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Apex Hawks MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake and Conspiracy, 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 Apex Hawks and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Apex Hawks Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-02-05 and 2014-06-06. Illustrated by David Palumbo.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-02-05WorldwakeWWK 22003normalblackDavid Palumbo
22014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 672003normalblackDavid Palumbo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Apex Hawks has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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