Horncaller's Chant MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Populate

Key Takeaways

  1. Combining a 4/4 Rhino token with graveyard retrieval offers a dual card benefit in a single play.
  2. Regaining a powerful card from the graveyard can accelerate in-game resources, enhancing player strategy.
  3. Despite an eight mana cost, its board impact and recovery potential make it a dynamic card choice.

Text of card

Put a 4/4 green Rhino creature token with trample onto the battlefield, then populate. (Put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of a creature token you control.)

"The Selesnya are gathering armies. Do you still believe they aren't preparing for war?" —Teysa, to Isperia


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Horncaller’s Chant shines when it comes to card advantage. By putting a 4/4 green Rhino creature token with trample onto the battlefield and retrieving a card from your graveyard to your hand, not only are you gaining a sizable creature to pressure your opponent, but you’re effectively getting two cards worth of value with a single spell.

Resource Acceleration: Although this card isn’t directly providing mana, the ability to bring back a powerful permanent from your graveyard can significantly accelerate your resource availability. This can lead to impactful plays earlier than usual, as you can re-utilize your most potent spells and creatures.

Instant Speed: While Horncaller’s Chant operates at sorcery speed, it sets you up for powerful plays on your next turn. By securing a large creature on the field and enhancing your hand options, you pave the way for instant-speed interactions with a bolstered board state and more resources at your disposal on subsequent turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Horncaller’s Chant does not ask you to discard directly, it requires a card to be present in your graveyard to fully capitalize on its populate mechanic, which isn’t always guaranteed.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a specific mana arrangement of one green and seven generic, which might be challenging for multicolor decks to produce consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of eight mana, Horncaller’s Chant can be less appealing compared to other lower-costed options, especially in faster-paced games where early plays can determine the outcome.


Reasons to Include Horncaller’s Chant in Your Collection

Versatility: Horncaller’s Chant can be a dynamic addition to decks that capitalize on creature presence. As a spell that creates a copy of any creature you control, it’s great for strategies that rely on key creatures with powerful effects or enter-the-battlefield triggers.

Combo Potential: This card offers a wealth of combo potential in decks that use creatures with potent abilities. Doubling up on a creature with a game-changing effect can swiftly turn the tide in your favor, offering avenues for spectacular plays and synergy exploitation.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence can dictate the pace and outcome of matches, Horncaller’s Chant ensures that you can maintain or regain a strong stance on the battlefield. Its ability to instantly create a significant threat makes it a useful tool in numerous match-ups.


How to Beat Horncaller’s Chant

Horncaller’s Chant is a distinctive spell known for its strength in creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to create a 4/4 green Rhino creature token with trample, then populate – cloning a token you control – can be a game changer. However, effective counterplay exists to neutralize this eight-mana investment. Timing is crucial; having counterspells ready can disrupt the opponent’s plans before they cement their board presence. Cards like Negate or Essence Scatter are invaluable for this purpose.

Alternatively, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board state after Horncaller’s Chant has resolved, effectively nullifying the advantage gained by your opponent. Efficient removal spells are also key – think Path to Exile or Doom Blade; they can pick off the tokens right after they hit the field. It’s essential to keep an eye on your opponent’s mana and be ready to act once they reach the critical threshold to cast this impactful spell. Ultimately, while Horncaller’s Chant can be a formidable card, it’s susceptible to a well-thought-out control strategy.


Cards like Horncaller's Chant

In the wide array of creature tokens and mana generation spells within the world of Magic: The Gathering, Horncaller’s Chant is a unique entrant. This card bears resemblance to Call of the Conclave, which swiftly generates a creature token; yet, Horncaller’s Chant goes a step further by creating not only a creature token but also replicates a token you control, doubling your field presence. Although Call of the Conclave costs less mana, Horncaller’s Chant’s impact could be more substantial for late game strategies.

Considering another comparison, Trostani’s Summoner delivers a similar token-generating ability. While Trostani’s Summoner crafts a spread of varied tokens, Horncaller’s Chant focuses on amplifying what’s already in play. Furthermore, the chant’s synergy with populate decks sets it apart, offering exponential benefits in the right deck build. It can be more situational than the steady presence provided by the Summoner, but the potential for an overwhelming advantage is notable.

When evaluating token creation spells and the strategies they enable in Magic: The Gathering, Horncaller’s Chant presents a potential boon for players adept at commanding an ever-growing army, carving its niche among the population tactics available to MTG enthusiasts.

Call of the Conclave - MTG Card versions
Trostani's Summoner - MTG Card versions
Call of the Conclave - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Trostani's Summoner - Dragon's Maze Promos (PDGM)

Cards similar to Horncaller's Chant by color, type and mana cost

Incoming! - MTG Card versions
Biorhythm - MTG Card versions
Granny's Payback - MTG Card versions
Endless Swarm - MTG Card versions
Praetor's Counsel - MTG Card versions
Ezuri's Predation - MTG Card versions
Majestic Genesis - MTG Card versions
Verdant Rejuvenation - MTG Card versions
Last March of the Ents - MTG Card versions
Thunderous Debut - MTG Card versions
Colossal Chorus - MTG Card versions
Incoming! - Unglued (UGL)
Biorhythm - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Granny's Payback - Unhinged (UNH)
Endless Swarm - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Praetor's Counsel - The List (PLST)
Ezuri's Predation - Commander Masters (CMM)
Majestic Genesis - Battle for Baldur's Gate Promos (PCLB)
Verdant Rejuvenation - Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate (HBG)
Last March of the Ents - The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (LTR)
Thunderous Debut - Wilds of Eldraine (WOE)
Colossal Chorus - Alchemy: Ixalan (YLCI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Horncaller's Chant MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Horncaller's Chant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Horncaller's Chant Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Eric Velhagen.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-10-05Return to RavnicaRTR 1282003normalblackEric Velhagen
22024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1472015normalblackEric Velhagen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Horncaller's Chant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-04-15 Any “as
-his creature] enters the battlefield” or “
-his creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the new token will work.
2013-04-15 If you choose to copy a creature token that’s a copy of another creature, the new creature token will copy the characteristics of whatever the original token is copying.
2013-04-15 If you control no creature tokens when you populate, nothing will happen.
2013-04-15 The new creature token copies the characteristics of the original token as stated by the effect that put the original token onto the battlefield.
2013-04-15 The new token doesn’t copy whether the original token is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any noncopy effects that have changed its power, toughness, color, and so on.
2013-04-15 You can choose any creature token you control for populate. If a spell or ability puts a token onto the battlefield under your control and then instructs you to populate (as Coursers’ Accord does), you may choose to copy the token you just created, or you may choose to copy another creature token you control.

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