Hell Swarm MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 1994-06-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legends |
| Set code | LEG |
| Number | 103 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Christopher Rush |
Text of card
All creatures get -1/-0 until end of turn.
The brightness of day turned in an instant to dusk as the swarm descended upon the battlefield.
Cards like Hell Swarm
Hell Swarm is an intriguing card in MTG’s assortment of creature spells with mass effects. In its family of cards, it shares traits with spells like Bad Moon, which gives a boost to black creatures’ power and toughness. However, Hell Swarm has a unique angle, focusing more on a defensive stint by weakening your opponent’s creatures instead of strengthening your own.
Identically, Mutilate is another card that makes an appearance in the category of reducing opponents’ creatures’ power and toughness. It offers a more dramatic effect based on the number of swamps you control, but unlike Hell Swarm, Mutilate’s effect is a one-time board swipe that doesn’t linger to hinder subsequent creature plays. Then there is Night of Souls’ Betrayal, a card with a standing effect on creatures similar to Hell Swarm, consistently diminishing their power and posing a constant threat to token strategies reliant on numerous but fragile creatures.
Ultimately, Hell Swarm finds its niche within the black spells domain in MTG by offering a continuous, albeit less powerful, hindrance to an opponent’s creature abilities, effectively narrowing their offensive capabilities and setting a tone of enduring control on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Hell Swarm by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hell Swarm shines in providing card advantage as it enables the player to bring multiple creatures into play swiftly, overwhelming opponents with a sudden increase in board presence.
Resource Acceleration: This card is highly efficient in resource acceleration. Its ability to tap for a colorless mana or to sacrifice itself for a burst of mana can significantly speed up your overall mana availability, allowing for earlier deployment of high-cost cards.
Instant Speed: Hell Swarm’s utility is heightened with its instant speed, allowing for strategic flexibility. You can surprise your adversary by deploying a swarm at the most opportune moment, perhaps at the end of their turn, keeping up the pressure while leaving mana open for other vital plays during your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hell Swarm’s ability can put you in a tight spot by forcing you to discard a card. This cost can deplete your hand, making it tougher to maintain card advantage and respond to your opponent’s moves.
Specific Mana Cost: Being locked into a specific mana type can be restrictive. Hell Swarm necessitates black mana, potentially making it a tricky fit in a multicolored deck or when you’re experiencing mana shortages in the right color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a high mana cost to get Hell Swarm into play, it may arrive later than ideal in a game. Considering the fast-paced nature of many MTG games, this can be a significant drawback, especially when other cards might provide more immediate impact at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include Hell Swarm in Your Collection
Versatility: Hell Swarm is a card that can be seamlessly integrated into various deck types, particularly those that capitalize on creature swarming strategies or sacrifice mechanics.
Combo Potential: This card holds excellent synergy opportunities, working well with cards that benefit from having several creatures on the field or that require creatures to be sacrificed for greater effects.
Meta-Relevance: As the competitive landscape shifts, Hell Swarm might prove to be an asset in a meta that favors decks with numerous creatures, positioning itself as a sleeper hit in such an environment.
How to defeat Hell Swarm
Hell Swarm is a compelling card that can pose a significant challenge for MTG players. Its ability to overwhelm opponents with a multitude of flying creatures makes it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Dealing with Hell Swarm effectively requires a strategy that can manage the swarm of tokens it generates.
To counter Hell Swarm, consider using cards that can wipe the board of multiple creatures at once. Spells such as “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can clear the field of all creatures, regardless of their size. Additionally, cards with “reach” or those that can deal damage to several creatures at once, such as “Arrows of Justice,” are highly effective. Implementing enchantments like “Ghostly Prison” can also help, as they make it costly for your opponent to attack with a large number of creatures. Furthermore, instant-speed removal spells are crucial, allowing you to respond to the swarm on your opponent’s turn and potentially disrupting their strategy.
Ultimately, preemptive measures and a good defense are key to overcoming the onslaught of Hell Swarm. A well-structured deck with a mix of creature removal, board wipes, and defensive enhancements will increase your chances of success against such a relentless adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hell Swarm MTG card by a specific set like Legends, 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 Hell Swarm 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hell Swarm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |