Hangarback Walker MTG Card
2015-07-17 - Number 229
2016-09-30 - Number 13
2020-05-18 - Number 2
2022-07-28 - Number 19
2022-12-02 - Number 772
2023-08-04 - Number 951
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
Hangarback Walker enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it. When Hangarback Walker dies, put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying onto the battlefield for each +1/+1 counter on Hangarback Walker., : Put a +1/+1 counter on Hangarback Walker.
Cards like Hangarback Walker
Hangarback Walker is an enticing card to consider amongst the array of proliferate creatures found in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a common ground with the likes of Grimoire of the Dead and Jace, Architect of Thought. Like Hangarback Walker, Grimoire of the Dead is an enticing artifact card that grows over time. Yet, where the Grimoire revives creatures from all graveyards to your control, the Hangarback Walker uses the energy it accumulates to release numerous thopters once destroyed.
Then there is Jace, Architect of Thought. This powerful Planeswalker card also possesses a proliferation mechanic, increasing the number of loyalty counters each turn, much in line with Hangarback Walker’s growth. Despite this similarity, Jace’s ability to manipulate his enemies’ strength and delve into another’s library sets him apart.
In conclusion, Hangarback Walker holds a potent position within the proliferate creatures’ compendium in Magic: The Gathering. It’s the balancing act of growing in power yet yielding useful resources upon destruction that gives it an inherent advantage in many deck strategies.
Cards similar to Hangarback Walker by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Hangarback Walker. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Green Hardened Scales | Modern | Hardened Scales | Modern Challenge 64 2024-04-27 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hangarback Walker possesses an inherent mechanism for generating card advantage. Its ability to add +1/+1 counters each turn coupled with its death trigger, which releases a swarm of flying Thopter tokens, ensures you get multiple uses out of a single card.
Resource Acceleration: This Mtg card acts as a form of efficient and flexible resource acceleration. You invest mana in the Hangarback Walker over time, scaling its impact on the game. The modular nature of the card’s cost and ability ensures that your resources are never wasted.
Instant Speed: Although Hangarback Walker itself isn’t an instant, it has a lot of synergy with instant speed interaction. You can add +1/+1 counters at any time, allowing for strategic responses to opponents’ actions. It can respond to removal by growing out of burn range, and its death trigger can effectively create blockers during combat when needed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hangarback Walker lacks a discarding capability, which means it doesn’t provide an easy way to empty your hand, a vital strategy in many MTG games. If you’re low on resources or your hand is filled with cards that are of no use at the moment, Hangarback Walker doesn’t offer a solution.
Specific Mana Cost: Hangarback Walker has a unique mana cost, X +1 colorless mana, which can easily inflate depending on how large you want the creature to be. The cost includes a specific colorless mana, which restricts its versatility to certain decks that can support such steep colorless mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of deploying Hangarback Walker might seem low initially, but in reality, it is high for a two power and two toughness creature as compared to other cards. To make the Hangarback Walker a potent creature, a high amount of mana must be sunk into it, which can be a considerable setback especially if those resources could have been used elsewhere.
Reasons to Include Hangarback Walker in Your Collection
Versatility: Hangarback Walker’s design allows it to fit seamlessly into many deck construction strategies. Its modular mechanic makes it a suitable card for both early and late game scenarios, adapting to your mana capacity throughout the match.
Combo Potential: Hangarback Walker stands out for its ability to capitalize on artifact or +1/+1 counter strategies. When Hangarback Walker dies, it has the potential to flood the board with flying Thopter tokens, leading to unexpected swing turns and potentially game-winning states.
Meta-Relevance: Hangarback Walker holds strong relevance in the current meta, playing exceptional role against control strategies. Its death-trigger effect makes it an undesirable target for opponent removal, maintaining your board presence over the course of the game.
How to beat
Hangarback Walker is a formidable artifact creature featured in Magic: The Gathering. This card uniquely escalates in power, charging up its strength, all the while powering out Thopter tokens when it dies. This engine makes it a considerable challenge to overcome, but not insurmountable.
One approach is through the use of exile effects bypassing the death trigger, preventing the creation of Thopter tokens. Cards like Path to Exile or Scavenger Grounds work immensely well in this regard. Alternatively, bounce spells like Unsummon or Cyclonic Rift can publicize it back to the owner’s hand, giving you more time to prepare or even redirecting its target.
Lastly, forced sacrifice effects can provoke a premature trigger when Hangarback Walker is low on counters. Cards like Liliana of the Veil or Rankle, Master of Pranks, serve appropriately here. Without sufficient preparation, Hangarback Walker becomes an easy prey.
To conclude, while Hangarback Walker’s scaling strength and token generation make it a sturdy adversary, strategic use of exile, bounce, and sacrifice effects can help keep this card in check.
BurnMana Recommendations
The strategic depth of MTG shines when considering cards like Hangarback Walker. Its utility in generating card advantage, scaling resource investment, and synergy with instant speed play, make it a multifaceted addition to several deck archetypes. However, it requires smart mana management and may not fit all strategies due to its specific costs and incremental scaling. Understanding both its strengths and weaknesses is key to optimizing its role in your decks. Whether you incorporate it for its combo potential or meta relevance, Hangarback Walker is a card that commands a deeper look. Explore more strategies and deck-building tips with us and refine your gameplay!
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hangarback Walker MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Kaladesh Inventions, 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 Hangarback Walker and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Hangarback Walker Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 229 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh Inventions | MPS | 13 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Adam Paquette | |
| 3 | 2020-05-18 | Love Your LGS 2020 | PLG20 | 2 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Nicholas Gregory | |
| 4 | 2022-07-28 | Explorer Anthology 1 | EA1 | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 772 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 6 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 951 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hangarback Walker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hangarback Walker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-06-22 | If enough -1/-1 counters are put on Hangarback Walker at the same time to make its toughness 0 or less, the number of +1/+1 counters on it before it got any -1/-1 counters will be used to determine how many Thopter tokens you get. For example, if there are three +1/+1 counters on Hangarback Walker and it gets four -1/-1 counters, you’ll get three Thopter tokens. That’s because Hangarback Walker’s triggered ability checks the creature’s existence just before it leaves the battlefield, and it still has all those counters on it at that point. |
| 2015-06-22 | The value of each X in Hangarback Walker’s mana cost must be equal. For example, if X is 2, you’ll pay to cast Hangarback Walker and it will enter the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it. |