War Horn MTG Card


War Horn - Magic Origins
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Released2015-07-17
Set symbol
Set nameMagic Origins
Set codeORI
Number243
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byLars Grant-West

Key Takeaways

  1. War Horn boosts effectiveness of creatures, influencing opponents to overcommit resources defensively.
  2. Enhances attacking forces consistently, allowing for more flexible mana allocation in other areas.
  3. Strategic inclusion must consider deck space, mana cost, and the potential for more impactful alternatives.

Text of card

Attacking creatures you control get +1/+0.

The reverberations course through the warriors' veins, beat with their hearts, and pound with their footfalls as they charge into battle.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While War Horn itself does not directly allow you to draw cards, it amplifies the effectiveness of each creature you control. This can lead to advantageous board states that pressure your opponent, potentially causing them to use more resources to deal with your threats.

Resource Acceleration: War Horn doesn’t generate additional mana or tokens, but by boosting your creatures’ attack, you can achieve quicker victories. This indirect form of resource acceleration forces opponents to deal with your enhanced army, using up their resources at a faster pace while you maintain yours.

Instant Speed: War Horn is an artifact that you cast at sorcery speed, but its impact is felt every combat phase. It consistently gives your attacking creatures the advantage without the need to spend mana each turn, freeing up your resources to cast spells at instant speed, keep counterspells ready, or deploy other threats.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although War Horn doesn’t require a discard, it is important for players to consider how deck space used for this card could potentially lead to discarding other valuable cards for hand size limits.

Specific Mana Cost: War Horn has a specific mana cost that includes generic mana, which needs strategic deck building around its inclusion, particularly in multi-color decks that may strive for mana efficiency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost to cast it and no immediate impact on the board state, some might find War Horn less favorable compared to other artifacts or spells within the same mana range that provide instant value or more significant buffs.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: War Horn is a flexible card, effortlessly integrating into aggressive decks that aim to overwhelm opponents with a multitude of creatures. Its ability to give all attacking creatures a boost in power can be a game-changer during combat phases.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines in combos, amplifying damage output when used alongside cards that generate multiple attackers or benefit from increased strength during attack, unlocking new levels of strategic play.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames dominated by creature-based strategies, War Horn’s ability to enhance every assault ensures it remains a relevant and potent tool to tip the scales in your favor during skirmishes.


How to beat War Horn

War Horn is an artifact card known for giving creatures you control a power boost during attacks in MTG. Unlike equipment artifacts that boost individual creatures, War Horn affects all your attacking creatures by providing an across-the-board increase in aggression. This can lead to a snowball effect in aggressive decks, often catching opponents off guard.

However, this card can be countered effectively. Fast removal of War Horn using artifact destruction spells like Naturalize or Shatter is instrumental to mitigate its impact. Counter spells like Negate can prevent War Horn from hitting the board in the first place, especially since it is noncreature and susceptible to such targeting. Board control strategies, including sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation, can also negate the benefits of War Horn by keeping the battlefield clear of creatures that would benefit from its effect.

Ultimately, while War Horn can give aggressive decks a considerable advantage, maintaining flexible responses, and prioritizing the removal of key artifacts can keep this card from tipping the scales too far in your opponent’s favor. A well-timed counter or destruction spell could negate its battlefield presence, keeping your defenses solid against the onslaught.


Cards like War Horn

War Horn is a unique artifact that, within Magic: The Gathering, finds its niche by offering an offensive boost to your creatures during your turn. When we scrutinize other cards with parallel abilities, Trumpet Blast stands out with a similar effect. It also provides an attack boost; however, War Horn’s persistent presence on the battlefield sets it apart, offering a continuous advantage rather than the one-time surge of Trumpet Blast.

Another related card is the Veteran Swordsmith, which also grants an additional power increase to your creatures. Although its impact is limited to Soldiers, the difference lies in it being a creature itself, providing not just an anthem effect but also the potential for combat presence. In contrast, War Horn affects all attacking creatures and requires no specific creature type alliance.

Analyzing their functionalities, War Horn’s consistent support makes it an asset in decks favoring ongoing aggressive strategies. Whereas its counterparts may offer situational benefits or target-specific bonuses, War Horn’s universal appeal lies in its ability to sustainably empower your entire attacking force over the course of a game.

Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Veteran Swordsmith - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Veteran Swordsmith - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to War Horn by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Gem of Becoming - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Sunglasses of Urza - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Ebony Horse - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Runed Arch - Ice Age (ICE)
Arena of the Ancients - Chronicles (CHR)
Bösium Strip - Weatherlight (WTH)
Clay Pigeon - Unglued (UGL)
Ashnod's Altar - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Jalum Tome - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Static Orb - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Patchwork Gnomes - Odyssey (ODY)
The Stasis Coffin - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Wall of Spears - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Spellweaver Helix - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scale of Chiss-Goria - Mirrodin (MRD)
Lightning Coils - Mirrodin (MRD)
Vedalken Shackles - Kaladesh Inventions (MPS)
Oblivion Stone - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Gem of Becoming - Magic 2013 (M13)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase War Horn MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins, 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 War Horn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where War Horn has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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