Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior Werewolf |
| Abilities | Defender,Transform |
| Released | 2011-09-30 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Innistrad |
| Set code | ISD |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 145 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Transform |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne Reynolds |
Text of card
Defender At the beginning of each upkeep, if no spells were cast last turn, transform Hanweir Watchkeep.
He scans for wolves, knowing there's one he can never anticipate.
Cards like Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir
Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir find its place in the realm of transformative creatures within Magic: The Gathering strategy. Much like Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration, it offers a compelling transformation mechanic, rewarding players for successfully navigating the turns without casting spells. However, Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir stands apart with a more considerable stats boost upon transformation, shifting from a defensive 1/5 Watchkeep to the more aggressive 5/5 Bane of Hanweir.
Analogous to the Werewolf tribal theme, the Villagers of Estwald // Howlpack of Estwald also evolve with the same no-spells condition and flip into a formidable threat. However, Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir distinguishes itself with Intimidate, allowing it to pressure opponents with fewer viable blockers. Conversely, Gatstaf Arsonists // Gatstaf Ravagers is a peer in these monster ranks, requiring a larger mana investment for transformation, but similarly offering high power once it switches form.
Ultimately, Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir provides a strategic option for players who seek to leverage the dynamics of transformation, presenting a blend of sturdy defense and potent offense post-transfiguration, a synthesis rare in the transformative creatures within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Flipping into Bane of Hanweir presents an immediate threat with its substantial power increase, allowing you to pressure your opponent’s life total effectively while also having the ability to transform back into Hanweir Watchkeep under the right conditions, ensuring a persistent board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Hanweir Watchkeep does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, as Bane of Hanweir, the card can quickly close out games with its increased attack capability. This ensures a shorter game duration, indirectly minimizing the resources your opponent can gather over time.
Instant Speed: The transformation of Hanweir Watchkeep into Bane of Hanweir occurs at instant speed during the end step if no spells were cast, offering a surprise element that challenges your opponent’s ability to respond effectively and potentially disrupts their strategy for the next turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: This card doesn’t have a discard requirement, as it transforms under specific conditions without necessitating a discard. However, being dependent on transformation can be a setback when you’re unable to meet the criteria due to board state or opponent’s actions.
Specific Mana Cost: Hanweir Watchkeep requires a specific mana investment of one red and two generic mana. This mana arrangement can be restrictive, especially early in the game when mana resources are limited or in a multicolor deck that might struggle to have the right colors available on demand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three for its initial form, it is on the higher end for creatures with the intent of transforming. While it becomes a powerful 5/5 with trample upon transforming, it may not always be the most mana-efficient creature to play, especially when compared to other options that provide immediate impact on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir in Your Collection
Versatility: The dual nature of Hanweir Watchkeep, transforming into Bane of Hanweir, allows it to adapt to various board states. As a defender initially, it holds off early assaults, and once transformed, it becomes a strong attacker.
Combo Potential: With the werewolf mechanic, this card synergizes with strategies aiming to limit spell casting, encouraging the transformation into Bane of Hanweir. This can also lead to powerful turns where multiple werewolves you control could transform, amplifying the threat level.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games can stretch into longer rounds, the inevitability of Hanweir Watchkeep flipping into a much more aggressive creature becomes a compelling reason for its inclusion, as it can swing games in your favor when uncontested.
How to beat
Hanweir Watchkeep, which transforms into the formidable Bane of Hanweir, is a unique creature card that players may find challenging due to its transformation ability. Once night falls on the battlefield, Hanweir Watchkeep becomes Bane of Hanweir, a creature with intimidating power and toughness that can quickly overwhelm opponents. To effectively manage this threat, keeping a close eye on the day-night mechanic is crucial. Preventing the card from flipping into its more dangerous form requires strategic card play and maintaining a controlled pace of the game.
Simple tactics like playing multiple spells in your turn can keep the game in the daytime and Hanweir Watchkeep in its less threatening state. Removal spells that can target creatures at instant speed, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, also work effectively against the Watchkeep before it transforms. Additionally, considering its defender attribute in its initial form, strategies that negate creature effects or force tap-outs can prevent the card from leveraging its counterattack abilities. Board clearing effects such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the presence of Bane of Hanweir should it transform, though players must weigh the cost of such a move among their own field of creatures as well.
Understanding the dual nature of Hanweir Watchkeep and Bane of Hanweir is important in any matchup. The key lies in managing the pace of play, utilizing efficient removal, and being vigilant of the night-and-day transition. If controlled early, Hanweir Watchkeep can be kept from unleashing its true potential on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad, 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 Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hanweir Watchkeep // Bane of Hanweir card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |