Horseshoe Crab MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 80
2007-07-13 - Number 87
2018-03-16 - Number 61
2019-11-07 - Number 402
2023-01-13 - Number 55
2020-09-26 - Number A25-61
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Crab |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
oo U Untap Horseshoe Crab.
In the final days before the disaster, all the crabs on Tolaria migrated from inlets, streams, and ponds back to the sea. No one took note.
Cards like Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe Crab stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an intriguing example of a creature with a unique tapping ability. While it shares traits with creatures like Knacksaw Clique, what sets it apart is its lower mana cost and the ability to untap multiple times in a single turn when paired with untap enablers or auras. Knacksaw Clique offers a different kind of advantage, notably the ability to exile cards from an opponent’s deck; however, it comes at a higher mana cost and doesn’t boast the repeatable untap flexibility of Horseshoe Crab.
Morphling is another creature that can manipulate its tap/untap status though at a greater mana expense. Unlike the Crab, Morphling brings a variety of abilities to the table, such as modifying its power and toughness and gaining flying or shroud. This makes Morphling a veritable Swiss Army knife, whereas Horseshoe Crab, with its singular focus, often becomes a combo piece in decks leveraging its untap capability, especially in pauper formats.
Ultimately, Horseshoe Crab occupies a niche in MTG as a low-cost creature with potential for powerful synergies, illustrating its distinct place among cards with similar tap/untap mechanics.
Cards similar to Horseshoe Crab by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Horseshoe Crab’s ability to untap for a single blue mana provides exceptional synergy with cards that trigger upon tapping, essentially allowing you to derive additional benefits each turn. This continuous interaction can lead to a significant card advantage over your opponents as you efficiently exploit abilities that draw cards or affect the board.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana pool, Horseshoe Crab can be utilized in combination with cards that produce mana upon tapping or untapping, effectively speeding up your resource generation. Its ability seamlessly fits into decks aiming for combo setups where repeated activation is key to accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of the Horseshoe Crab lies in its ability to untap at instant speed. This dexterity allows you to respond to your opponent’s actions, whether it’s for untapping to use a tap ability again or simply dodging sorcery speed removal that targets tapped creatures. Its persistent presence on the board, ready to activate at a moment’s notice, can give you a tactical edge in any match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Horseshoe Crab doesn’t require discarding, providing a stable presence on the battlefield without subtracting from your hand. However, the absence of a discard effect means it doesn’t synergize with strategies that benefit from it.
Specific Mana Cost: While only requiring blue mana, Horseshoe Crab’s casting cost does tie it primarily to blue-oriented decks, potentially limiting its integration into multicolored or colorless strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing three mana is not excessively high, other creatures at the same cost might present more immediate board impact or bring additional abilities that could be more advantageous in certain game scenarios.
Reasons to Include Horseshoe Crab in Your Collection
Versatility: Horseshoe Crab’s ability to untap itself for a single blue mana makes it a flexible addition to decks that rely on activated abilities or require blockers at a moment’s notice. Its low casting cost also enables it to be played early in the game.
Combo Potential: This creature is famous for its synergy with auras and equipment that trigger upon tapping or untapping, setting up the potential for infinite combos. Pairing Horseshoe Crab with cards like Hermetic Study or Viridian Longbow allows players to repeatedly deal damage directly to creatures or opponents.
Meta-Relevance: As long as there are interactive games where activations and untap mechanics matter, Horseshoe Crab will have a place. It may not be at the center stage of the current meta but serves as a valuable toolbox component for adapting to shifts in competitive play.
How to beat
Horseshoe Crab has long intrigued Magic: The Gathering players with its ability to untap for a single blue mana. The card offers fascinating synergies, especially in combination with auras or equipment that trigger upon tapping the creature. This makes it a persistent threat on the battlefield, capable of blocking multiple creatures or enabling numerous activations of tap abilities.
To tackle the resilience of Horseshoe Crab, removal spells that do not rely on dealing damage present an effective counter. Look no further than spells like Path to Exile or counterspells like Negate that can preemptively handle the Crab before it becomes an issue. Ensnaring it with enchantment-based removal like Pacifism, or bouncing it back to the player’s hand, also serves to nullify its untapping antics.
Overcoming the Horseshoe Crab requires a strategic approach that circumvents its ability to untap. By employing the right mix of removal or control tactics, you can ensure that this creature’s potential is significantly hindered, and its synergistic opportunities with other cards are curtailed, maintaining the tempo and the advantage on your side of the field.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Horseshoe Crab MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Tenth Edition, 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 Horseshoe Crab 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
Printings
The Horseshoe Crab Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Scott Kirschner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 80 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner | |
| 2 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 87 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner | |
| 3 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 402 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | A25-61 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner | ||
| 6 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Scott Kirschner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Horseshoe Crab has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |