Horde Ambusher MTG Card

Strategic morph mechanic of Horde Ambusher influences combat and provides unexpected game twists. A careful balance of resource management is crucial when incorporating Horde Ambusher into your strategy. Its unique gameplay niche complements certain MTG red deck tactics, rewarding versatile deck construction.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Berserker
Abilities	Morph
Released	2014-09-26
Set symbol
Set name	Khans of Tarkir
Set code	KTK
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	110
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tyler Jacobson

Text of card

Whenever Horde Ambusher blocks, it deals 1 damage to you. Morph— Reveal a red card in your hand. (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Horde Ambusher is turned face up, target creature can't block this turn.

Cards like Horde Ambusher

Horde Ambusher is an intriguing creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, sharing attributes with other two-drop creatures. However, it stands apart with its unique morph mechanic. One such comparison is with Ash Zealot, which also brings a swift attack with its two power and haste. Unlike Horde Ambusher, Ash Zealot does not require additional conditions to unleash its potential, offering an immediate impact on the battlefield.

Frenzied Goblin is another comparable card, offering the ability to disrupt blocking strategies. While it lacks the raw power of Horde Ambusher, it compensates by flexing control over opponents’ creatures during combat. Similarly, Goblin Glory Chaser exhibits an aggressive one-drop nature that can rapidly become formidable. Yet, it doesn’t carry the same versatility or flip condition provided by Horde Ambusher.

Altogether, Horde Ambusher aligns with a suite of aggressive red creatures but maintains a distinctive position with its morph feature, offering an element of surprise and tactical advantage. For players valuing flexibility and unexpected plays, Horde Ambusher merits consideration for inclusion in creature-focused decks within Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Horde Ambusher by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Horde Ambusher encourages strategic combat decisions. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, flipping it face up can effectively remove an opponent’s creature, possibly leading to a more favorable board state and indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The card itself does not provide mana acceleration; however, its efficient cost at two mana allows you to keep resources open for other plays and deploy early pressure. Efficient use of mana contributes to overall resource acceleration in your game plan.

Instant Speed: Horde Ambusher offers utility with its morph ability. Though not at instant speed, the ability to turn it face up after declaring it as a blocker can have an instant-like impact on combat, potentially disrupting the opponent’s tactics and preserving your momentum.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Horde Ambusher forces you to discard another card if you choose to utilize its face-down morph ability. This can deplete your hand and put you at a disadvantage if you’re running low on card options or if the discarded card is crucial for your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires red mana for both casting and morph costs. This means it’s best utilized in red or red-inclusive decks and could be a limitation if your mana base isn’t geared towards red or if you’re up against a deck that restricts mana access.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two red mana and two generic mana, Horde Ambusher’s overall cost might be considered high for its 2/2 stats. When you combine this with the potential to lose another card from your hand to flip its morph ability, it may not be the most mana-efficient option for aggressive decks when compared to other creatures in the same cost range.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Horde Ambusher offers flexible gameplay options. As a creature that can fulfill both offensive and defensive roles, it suits a variety of Red deck strategies. Its ability to turn face up and deal damage makes it an unexpected threat.

Combo Potential: With its morph cost enabling surprise interactions, this card synergizes well with effects that trigger upon creatures turning face up or dealing combat damage, offering interesting combo possibilities in the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where early aggression can shape the battlefield, Horde Ambusher’s role in swiftly changing board states can be significant. It thrives in environments where catching the opponent off-guard can turn the tide of a match.

How to beat

Horde Ambusher is one of those MTG cards that can present a challenge to players during a match. This creature card is known for its unique ability to force a creature to block it when it becomes face-up, which can disrupt your opponent’s defense strategy. Understanding the key mechanics of how morph cards work is essential when plotting a counter strategy against the Horde Ambusher.

To effectively counter this card, it is important to manage your removal spells wisely. Instant-speed removal like ‘Doom Blade’ or ‘Path to Exile’ can be particularly effective, as they can be used in response to the Horde Ambusher’s morph ability, eliminating the threat before it influences the game’s progression. Additionally, having creatures with first strike or deathtouch on the battlefield can deter your opponent from utilizing the Horde Ambusher’s ability, since it could lead to an unfavorable trade for them.

In summation, overcoming the Horde Ambusher calls for a well-timed response and strategic use of your own creatures and spells. Recognizing when to hold back removal spells for key threats like Horde Ambusher is a skill that can tip the scales in your favor in MTG gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Horde Ambusher MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Horde Ambusher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Horde Ambusher has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Horde Ambusher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2014-09-20	A permanent that turns face up or face down changes characteristics but is otherwise the same permanent. Spells and abilities that were targeting that permanent, as well as Auras and Equipment that were attached to the permanent, aren’t affected.
2014-09-20	Any time you have priority, you may turn the face-down creature face up by revealing what its morph cost is and paying that cost. This is a special action. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. Only a face-down permanent can be turned face up this way; a face-down spell cannot.
2014-09-20	At any time, you can look at a face-down spell or permanent you control. You can’t look at face-down spells or permanents you don’t control unless an effect instructs you to do so.
2014-09-20	Because the permanent is on the battlefield both before and after it’s turned face up, turning a permanent face up doesn’t cause any enters-the-battlefield abilities to trigger.
2014-09-20	If a face-down Horde Ambusher blocks and is then turned face up, its first ability won’t trigger because it didn’t have that ability when it blocked.
2014-09-20	If a face-down permanent leaves the battlefield, you must reveal it. You must also reveal all face-down spells and permanents you control if you leave the game or if the game ends.
2014-09-20	Morph lets you cast a card face down by paying , and lets you turn the face-down permanent face up any time you have priority by paying its morph cost.
2014-09-20	The face-down spell has no mana cost and has a converted mana cost of 0. When you cast a face-down spell, put it on the stack face down so no other player knows what it is, and pay . This is an alternative cost.
2014-09-20	Turning Horde Ambusher face up after blockers have been declared won’t remove any creature from combat or change how any creature is blocking.
2014-09-20	When the spell resolves, it enters the battlefield as a 2/2 creature with no name, mana cost, creature types, or abilities. It’s colorless and has a converted mana cost of 0. Other effects that apply to the creature can still grant it any of these characteristics.
2014-09-20	You must ensure that your face-down spells and permanents can easily be differentiated from each other. You’re not allowed to mix up the cards that represent them on the battlefield in order to confuse other players. The order they entered the battlefield should remain clear. Common methods for doing this include using markers or dice, or simply placing them in order on the battlefield.