Iridescent Hornbeetle MTG Card


Iridescent Hornbeetle excels in creating a steady flow of insect tokens, enhancing overall card advantage. The beetle is pivotal for ramp strategies and thrives in decks emphasizing +1/+1 counters. Its token generation can decisively impact the board state against opponents with limited removal resources.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Insect
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

At the beginning of your end step, create a 1/1 green Insect creature token for each +1/+1 counter you've put on creatures under your control this turn.

The hatchlings will fill the jungles of Murasa in a glittering tide.


Cards like Iridescent Hornbeetle

Iridescent Hornbeetle serves as an intriguing beacon for decks that thrive on +1/+1 counters in Magic: The Gathering. This parallels the utility found in cards like Mycoloth, which also capitalizes on creatures getting bigger. While Mycoloth demands a more significant upfront investment by devouring your creatures, Iridescent Hornbeetle gently rewards you each turn with an insect, assuming you placed a counter that turn.

Looking to Armorcraft Judge, it offers a one-time wave of card draw based on the number of counters you have scattered across your battlefield. The Hornbeetle, in contrast, provides sustained advantage by furnishing your board with insect tokens. Branching out to animation-themed cards, Animation Module can trigger a similar token-producing effect, but requires mana investment for each token created, which sets a limit on your resources unlike the self-sufficient Iridescent Hornbeetle.

Considering these counterparts, Iridescent Hornbeetle is a steadfast workhorse capable of turning any bolster in creature strength into an actual growing army, showcasing its pivotal role in decks that are heavy on +1/+1 counter synergy within the intricate ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering.

Mycoloth - MTG Card versions
Armorcraft Judge - MTG Card versions
Animation Module - MTG Card versions
Mycoloth - MTG Card versions
Armorcraft Judge - MTG Card versions
Animation Module - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Iridescent Hornbeetle by color, type and mana cost

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Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Seedborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Panther Warriors - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Seedborn Muse - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Iridescent Hornbeetle. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Four-color ZooFour-color Zoo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Iridescent Hornbeetle offers a consistent method to generate additional creature tokens at the end of your turn. If you can maintain a board presence of creatures with +1/+1 counters, this translates directly into accumulating more creatures, contributing to greater card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The tokens generated by Iridescent Hornbeetle can be a formidable resource to ramp up. These extra creatures can provide you with the necessary fodder for convoke spells or synergize with other cards that benefit from controlling a high number of creatures, ultimately leading to faster and more powerful plays.

Instant Speed: While Iridescent Hornbeetle itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it allows you to benefit indirectly from instant speed interactions. By playing instants that place +1/+1 counters on your creatures during your opponent’s turn, you can maximize the number of tokens created when Iridescent Hornbeetle’s ability triggers at the end of your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Iridescent Hornbeetle requires a constant influx of +1/+1 counters to trigger its ability, which could lead to discarding it or other valuable cards if you’re unable to meet this condition during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a mix of green mana for its casting cost, potentially restricting its integration into multi-colored decks that may struggle with color fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including one green, Iridescent Hornbeetle can be seen as a costly investment, especially when faster or more impactful cards could be played at a similar or lower cost.


Reasons to Include Iridescent Hornbeetle in Your Collection

Versatility: Iridescent Hornbeetle offers a flexible role in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. Its ability to generate insect tokens complements various strategies, from enhancing board presence to enabling sacrifice synergies.

Combo Potential: The insect tokens created at the end of your turn can serve as fodder for numerous combos. They work seamlessly with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or dying, thus amplifying your combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: With the evolving game environment, Iridescent Hornbeetle stands out in metas that favor gradual value accumulation and go-wide strategies. Its consistent token generation can outpace control decks and overwhelm opponents lacking mass removal.


How to Beat

Iridescent Hornbeetle presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to generate insect tokens in Magic: The Gathering. This green creature thrives in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters, as it creates a token for each counter placed on other creatures during your end step. Silencing this beetle involves hindering its token-generating engine. One direct strategy is to employ removal spells to dispatch the Hornbeetle before it can populate the board.

Board wipes like Wrath of God or Doomskar effectively clear not only the Hornbeetle itself but also any tokens it has produced. Creature-based strategies to consider include utilizing creatures with flying or trample to bypass the ground-based defense that the Hornbeetle tokens provide. Spells that negate the placing of +1/+1 counters are also effective, such as Melira, Sylvok Outcast. Additionally, employing graveyard hate cards, like Relic of Progenitus, can ensure that Iridescent Hornbeetle doesn’t make a reappearance from graveyard-based recursion tactics.

Overall, though the Hornbeetle can quickly escalate the threat level on the board, a well-timed response can ensure the beetle’s iridescent glow dims before its swarm overwhelms the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

With the insights on Iridescent Hornbeetle’s strengths and weaknesses, incorporating this card into your MTG deck can be a game-changer for those who master the art of +1/+1 counters. If generating an insect army every turn appeals to you, then tweaking your deck to support this green creature’s abilities could provide significant advantages on the battlefield. Ready to dominate your matches with a swarm of tokens and turn the tides in your favor? Dive deeper with us, and we’ll show you how to optimize your deck with Iridescent Hornbeetle and claim victory with a strategic insect infestation that opponents will struggle to beat.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Iridescent Hornbeetle MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Iridescent Hornbeetle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Iridescent Hornbeetle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Simon Dominic.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-09-25Zendikar RisingZNR 1872015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6782015NormalBlackSimon Dominic

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Iridescent Hornbeetle has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-09-25 If Iridescent Hornbeetle leaves the battlefield before your end step, its ability won’t trigger at all. You won’t create any tokens.
2020-09-25 If a creature enters the battlefield under your control with +1/+1 counters on it, Iridescent Hornbeetle’s ability counts those counters.
2020-09-25 Iridescent Hornbeetle’s ability counts the number of +1/+1 counters you’ve put on your creatures, even if that happened before Iridescent Hornbeetle was on the battlefield, and even if those creatures are no longer on the battlefield or under your control (and, in some rare cases, even if those creatures aren’t creatures anymore).