Hurly-Burly MTG Card

Lorwyn (LRW)
2007-10-12 - Number 177

Hurly-Burly - Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)

Conspiracy: Take the Crown (CN2)
2016-08-26 - Number 165

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

Hurly-Burly offers virtual card advantage by potentially clearing multiple opponent creatures.
Its instant speed and low cost make it a strategic choice in fast-paced games.
Despite limitations, it can be pivotal against decks relying on smaller creatures.

Text of card

Choose one Hurly-Burly deals 1 damage to each creature without flying; or Hurly-Burly deals 1 damage to each creature with flying.

"Things were popping like corn in a skillet. Olly landed in the pig pen with his prize sow on top of him, both squealin' like boggarts." —Deagan, cenn of Burrenton

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hurly-Burly may not have a direct draw mechanic, but as it deals with multiple creatures, it presents a form of virtual card advantage. By potentially clearing several of your opponent’s smaller creatures, it can tilt the balance of the game in your favor without the need to play additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While Hurly-Burly itself doesn’t produce resources, its low casting cost means you can play other resource acceleration or mana-generating cards in the same turn. This makes it a great complementary play, fitting well in decks that focus on ramping up their mana for bigger threats.

Instant Speed: The capacity to cast Hurly-Burly at instant speed grants you significant strategic flexibility. You can hold back mana and decide whether to sweep away tokens or smaller creatures during your opponent’s end step, effectively bypassing their turn and leading into a more favorable board state on yours.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players aiming to cast Hurly-Burly, they must be prepared to drop another card from their hand, which can be a steep price when hand size is critical to maintaining game momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Hurly-Burly demands a precise mana arrangement that includes red, which can restrict its application, leading to its potential exclusion from multicolor or non-red-centric deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a mana value that can be seen as substantial for the impact it has on the board, Hurly-Burly might not be the go-to choice when more cost-effective alternatives are available, especially for decks focusing on mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hurly-Burly has the ability to impact multiple targets, which can be a game-changer on a cluttered board. Whether you’re clearing away tokens or dealing with pesky utility creatures, its flexibility makes it a valuable card for a variety of decks that rely on controlling the board state.

Combo Potential: This card can work wonders in combo setups, particularly in decks that thrive on casting a large number of spells in a single turn. It can also be paired with cards that trigger when you cast red spells or interact with damage-dealing effects, enhancing your synergy and combo execution.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with creature-heavy decks, Hurly-Burly shines by being an efficient way to disrupt your opponents’ plans. It can be particularly effective against strategies that deploy a swarm of tokens or rely on an army of small creatures to win.

How to beat

Hurly-Burly is one such card that players might find tricky if they’re unprepared. This sorcery can sway the board by sweeping away smaller creatures, particularly those with one toughness. Its ability to affect each creature of this size, regardless of who controls them, can lead to significant shifts in board presence.

To effectively navigate around Hurly-Burly, one should consider employing creatures with toughness greater than one. This simple step ensures your key creatures remain untouched by its effects. Additionally, employing instant-speed buffs can quickly alter the math in your favor, protecting your creatures in a pinch. Considering Hurly-Burly is at sorcery speed, you have ample opportunity to plan and execute such maneuvers before it resolves.

Moreover, keeping countermagic in hand for critical moments allows players to negate Hurly-Burly, effectively preserving their board state. This proactive approach can dampen an opponent’s momentum and keep the pressure on them instead. By understanding Hurly-Burly’s precise limitations and preparing your deck accordingly, you can turn what may seem like an obstacle into an advantage.

Cards like Hurly-Burly

Hurly-Burly is an intriguing card in MTG that brings a level of versatility to the table. In essence, it’s a red sorcery that can deal damage to all creatures of a specific type, either dealing damage to every creature with flying or those without. This selective sweep makes it a handy tool in decks that either want to clear out small fliers or weaken ground troops. Compared to cards such as Electrickery, which also deals 1 damage but to each creature your opponents control, Hurly-Burly gives players added flexibility to skirt around their own creatures.

Pyroclasm is another card that sees a relation; it deals 2 damage to each creature for the same mana cost. However, where Pyroclasm is indiscriminate, Hurly-Burly allows a more controlled approach, giving savvy players the ability to sculpt the battlefield to their advantage. Finally, looking at Cosmotronic Wave, whilst it prevents your opponent’s creatures from blocking this turn, it doesn’t offer the damage potential that Hurly-Burly can, missing the chance to reduce creature numbers or even clear a path by taking out pesky flying defenders.

When evaluated among similar red sweepers, Hurly-Burly’s optional damage effects could make it a more situational but strategically advantageous choice depending on your deck’s needs and the state of the game.

Cards similar to Hurly-Burly by color, type and mana cost

Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions

Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hurly-Burly MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Hurly-Burly and other MTG cards: