Horn of Deafening MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 280
1995-07-01 - Number 100
2011-01-10 - Number 205
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
oc T: Target creature deals no damage during combat this turn.
"A blast, an echo . . . then silence."
Cards like Horn of Deafening
Horn of Deafening stands out among its category of damage prevention cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like The Immortal Sun, which also suppresses abilities, but Horn of Deafening specializes in preventing damage from creatures. Unlike The Immortal Sun, it does not offer the broad spectrum of advantages such as drawing additional cards or reducing mana costs.
When considering cards like Silent Arbiter, we find another parallel in how both limit combat capabilities. Silent Arbiter restricts the number of creatures that can attack or block, while Horn of Deafening just prevents damage, allowing creatures to remain untapped. Moreover, Damping Sphere is another relevant comparison, curtailing the versatility of spells and lands, though it doesn’t specifically target creatures or prevent their damage as Horn of Deafening does.
Ultimately, Horn of Deafening provides a unique control element by neutralizing creature damage without affecting other aspects of the game, thereby carving out its niche in the diverse toolkit of Magic: The Gathering control cards.
Cards similar to Horn of Deafening by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Horn of Deafening doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it helps in maintaining card superiority by neutralizing threats. This artifact effectively ‘silences’ powerful creatures, which can indirectly lead to card advantage as opponents may find their cards less useful and may have to expend more to deal with your board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Horn of Deafening doesn’t produce mana or ramp, it aids in resource acceleration by preserving the lifespan of your creatures on the battlefield. By preventing damage from all creatures, it ensures your forces can stay active longer, allowing you to allocate resources towards advancing your board rather than constantly rebuilding it.
Instant Speed: The Horn of Deafening’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility in your gameplay. This means you can wait during your opponent’s turn before deciding to activate the Horn, possibly forcing them into unfavorable attacks or preventing unexpected combat damage. The capacity to use the Horn during any phase of the game accentuates your strategic options and can dictate the pace of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Horn of Deafening may necessitate the disbursement of vital cards to maintain its activation, hindering your hand’s potential and adaptability during critical game plays.
Specific Mana Cost: Horn of Deafening’s use requires a precise combination of mana, which could potentially disrupt the fluidity of your mana curve and limit strategic options within certain turns.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of four mana to deploy the Horn of Deafening, players might find themselves weighing its cost-benefit ratio against other artifacts or spells that could provide more immediate board presence or value.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Horn of Deafening is a card that adapts easily to various gaming situations by allowing its wielder to control the board. It can be integrated into a multitude of deck builds, especially ones that aim for a defensive strategy or seek to prolong the game until executing a winning combo.
Combo Potential: This card excels when paired with other cards that benefit from “silencing” opponents’ creatures. By disabling threatening creatures, it sets the stage for players to trigger abilities or set up plays without interference from opponents’ powerful, creature-based responses.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-heavy tactics or aggressive decks, Horn of Deafening shines by damping the power of creature attacks, potentially swinging the tide of the game to favor decks that operate on a more subtle or long-term win condition.
How to beat
Horn of Deafening is a niche artifact in the world of Magic: The Gathering that can significantly hamper creature-based strategies. Part of its appeal lies in its ability to prevent all damage a creature would deal during a turn. Still, knowledgeable players know there are effective tactics to circumvent this limitation. One effective strategy is to employ creatures with abilities that do not rely on dealing damage. Examples could include creatures with tap abilities or those that have direct impact on the game state without engaging in combat.
Another angle of approach is the use of enchantment or artifact removal spells. Given Horn of Deafening’s artifact status, spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can be particularly useful. These spells directly counter it by removing it from the battlefield, thus freeing your creatures to deal damage once again. Lastly, consider adjusting your attack patterns. You may opt to declare a larger group of creatures as attackers to force your opponent to make tough decisions about which creature’s damage to prevent with the Horn of Deafening. By doing so, you ensure that at least some of your creatures’ damage will go through.
By considering alternative creature abilities, including removal in your deck, and smart attack strategies, you can effectively navigate around the stifling effect of Horn of Deafening and maintain the upper hand in your Magic: The Gathering duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Horn of Deafening MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Horn of Deafening 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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Printings
The Horn of Deafening Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 280 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
| 2 | 1995-07-01 | Chronicles | CHR | 100 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
| 3 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 205 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Horn of Deafening has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |