Halimar Excavator MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard Ally |
| Abilities | Mill |
| Released | 2010-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Worldwake |
| Set code | WWK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 29 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kev Walker |
Text of card
Whenever Halimar Excavator or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, target player puts the top X cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard, where X is the number of Allies you control.
Cards like Halimar Excavator
Halimar Excavator has carved its niche as an integral component in mill decks within the world of MTG. Its ability to put a number of cards equal to the number of allies you control from an opponent’s library into their graveyard can vastly accelerate a mill strategy. In this regard, the Excavator echoes the functionality of cards like Hedron Crab, which also mill for each land entering the battlefield under your control. Though Hedron Crab works passively with land drops, Halimar Excavator requires a more active synergy with ally creatures.
Another ally from the same Zendikar set, Merfolk Secretkeeper, brings a similar milling effect. While the Secretkeeper offers an immediate mill effect through its adventure ability, Halimar Excavator’s potential scales with the number of allies in play, potentially creating massive mill sequences. Additionally, the Ruin Crab, a newer card, serves a similar purpose to Hedron Crab but requires a little setup for optimal use, requiring players to fully consider their strategy when building their deck.
Each mill card presents its advantages, but Halimar Excavator boasts a unique ability to scale mill potential exponentially in the right deck, marking it as a strong contender in decks focused around the ally mechanic or those seeking alternative routes to victory.
Cards similar to Halimar Excavator by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Halimar Excavator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Halimar Excavator’s ability to mill cards from your opponent’s library can indirectly serve as card advantage, particularly in formats where graveyard interactions are prevalent. Each ally summoned can escalate the milling process, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana, the Excavator accelerates your resources by filling your graveyard. In decks that utilize the graveyard as a resource, such as reanimator or delve strategies, this acceleration can be quite impactful.
Instant Speed: Although the Halimar Excavator itself does not function at instant speed, it pairs well with allies or effects that can be deployed at instant speed. Summoning allies during the opponent’s turn not only increases the surprise factor but also enhances the milling effect of the Excavator without waiting for your turn to come around again.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Halimar Excavator’s ally ability might necessitate you to churn through your deck, potentially discarding key cards if you cannot capitalize on its milling potential quickly or consistently enough.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and colorless mana narrows down deck building options, making the card less flexible for players who prefer a more varied mana base or those looking to include it in multicolored decks without sufficient fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a two-mana casting cost and a need for other ally cards to truly shine, the Halimar Excavator can be considered a slow starter. Faster decks might outrun its graduation from a simple creature to a significant milling threat, lessening its overall impact during a match.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Halimar Excavator has a place in a variety of ally-themed decks, where its ability to mill opponents becomes increasingly powerful with each Ally that enters the battlefield alongside it.
Combo Potential: The card excels in combinations with other Ally cards, offering a cumulative effect that can quickly deplete an opponent’s library, particularly in multiplayer games where its impact is magnified.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where mill strategies are advantageous or when facing decks that rely heavily on graveyard recursion, Halimar Excavator’s ability syncs well, disrupting opponents’ tactics and potentially sealing a win through an alternative victory condition.
How to beat
Halimar Excavator presents a unique challenge in the MTG universe. Found within decks that capitalize on the Ally creature type, this card can be a linchpin for strategies focused on milling the opponent’s library. Each time an Ally enters the battlefield under your control, it enforces a mill, where the opponent puts the top card of their library into their graveyard for each Ally you control.
Defeating this strategy requires disrupting the Ally synergy. Removal spells that can take out the Excavator or its fellow Allies before they accumulate are key. Consider board wipes to reset the state of play if the board becomes overwhelmed with Allies. Graveyard recursion can also mitigate the mill’s impact, allowing you to reuse key cards. Graveyard hate cards that exile cards from graveyards can completely negate the milling strategy. Furthermore, countering the Halimar Excavator upon cast or preventing its activation with cards that silence triggered abilities will thwart your opponent’s plans.
By understanding Halimar Excavator’s role within MTG and effectively countering its synergy, players can navigate against this potent milling apparatus and secure victory even when faced with a burgeoning tide of Allies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Halimar Excavator MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake, 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 Halimar Excavator 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Halimar Excavator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |