Hornswoggle MTG Card


Hornswoggle - Rivals of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Treasure
Released2018-01-19
Set symbol
Set nameRivals of Ixalan
Set codeRIX
Number39
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDeruchenko Alexander

Key Takeaways

  1. Hornswoggle grants card advantage and a Treasure token, enhancing mana and game position.
  2. Its flexibility with instant speed plays enables surprise tactics and on-the-fly responses.
  3. Inclusion in decks can be potent for combos, mana acceleration, and maintaining meta-relevance.

Text of card

Counter target creature spell. You create a colorless Treasure artifact token with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool."

Being a merciful pirate, she saved the vampire's gold from falling overboard.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hornswoggle provides a unique twist on card advantage. Not only does it counter a creature spell, which in itself is a one-for-one trade, but it also lets you draw a card. This immediately puts you a step ahead in the resource battle, as you’ve effectively dealt with a threat and replaced the card used all in one go.

Resource Acceleration: In addition to the countering ability, Hornswoggle facilitates resource acceleration. Upon successfully countering a creature spell, you create a Treasure token. This token can be sacrificed for mana of any color, giving you a boost in mana resources on your next turn, or even during your opponent’s turn, potentially allowing you to cast more expensive spells earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: The strength of Hornswoggle is augmented by its instant speed, offering flexibility in your gameplay. With the ability to cast it during your opponent’s turn, you retain the element of surprise. This means you can adapt to the evolving game state, waiting to see if there’s a more threatening creature to counter or keeping mana open for other instant speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Hornswoggle, you don’t directly discard, but it does require you to have another Pirate card at hand to make use of the Treasure token created, which can be restrictive in non-pirate themed decks.

Specific Mana Cost: Hornswoggle has a specific mana cost that includes blue, which might not be accessible to all deck types, especially in a monocolored setup that doesn’t run blue.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of three mana, including one blue, Hornswoggle may not be the most mana-efficient counter spell available, especially when you need to keep mana open for multiple spells in a single turn.


Reasons to Include Hornswoggle in Your Collection

Versatility: Hornswoggle serves as a multifaceted card thanks to its ability to counter spells while simultaneously creating a Treasure token. This makes it a useful addition to decks looking to maintain tempo by disrupting opponent’s plays and gaining a resource advantage.

Combo Potential: The Treasure token generated by Hornswoggle isn’t just a one-shot mana source. Its existence can be leveraged in decks designed around artifact synergy, or to fuel further spellcasting in a pinch for that game-winning play.

Meta-Relevance: As control decks and ones that rely on critical noncreature spells remain prevalent, Hornswoggle’s value in the current meta can’t be overstated. It acts as both a practical response and a proactive step towards your own strategy, especially in formats where countering key spells while accelerating your mana base can swing games in your favor.


How to beat Hornswoggle

Hornswoggle presents itself as a unique countermeasure in Magic: The Gathering gameplay, primarily as a counter spell that brings an additional benefit to the player wielding it. This spell not only negates creature spells but also rewards its caster with a Treasure token, adding a subtle economic edge to your strategic defenses. However, every card has its Achilles’ heel.

To effectively counteract Hornswoggle’s influence in the game, it’s crucial to tilt the balance by playing non-creature spells or relying on creatures that cannot be countered. By diversifying the threats on your board, you minimize the impact of being swindled by this tricky spell. Additionally, baiting out the Hornswoggle with less crucial creature spells before casting the one you truly need can be a sound tactic. Your goal should be to overwhelm the Hornswoggle-user’s mana resources or force them to make difficult decisions on what to counter, effectively nullifying the card’s advantage.

Remember, Hornswoggle is as much about timing as it is about cunning. If you can predict and navigate around your opponent’s potential to cast it, your prized creatures can slip through unscathed and ready to change the course of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Hornswoggle stands as a clever addition to any MTG player’s arsenal, especially for those who enjoy the ebb and flow of controlling the game’s pace. As you consider the nuances of building your deck, integrating Hornswoggle can offer you both a tactical edge and an unexpected source of mana through its Treasure token reward. If crafting a strategy that weaves together disruption with resource acceleration appeals to you, then delving deeper into the potential of Hornswoggle is a must. Visit us to further uncover the strategies that Hornswoggle can unlock and optimize your gameplay in every duel.


Cards like Hornswoggle

Hornswoggle serves as a unique counter spell with a little twist in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. When we place it beside other counter spells such as Cancel, we can spot some interesting differences. Cancel is a straightforward spell, requiring three mana to counter any spell with no additional effects. Hornswoggle, however, not only counters a creature spell but also rewards the player with a Treasure token. This added ability can provide a crucial boost in mana for subsequent turns.

Comparing Hornswoggle with Mana Leak reveals another layer of strategic versatility. Mana Leak can potentially counter any type of spell unless the opponent pays three extra mana. It’s cheaper than Hornswoggle but doesn’t offer any sort of mana advantage after its use. Conversely, Hornswoggle’s specificity to creature spells can be seen as a limitation, yet the Treasure token often compensates for this, making it preferable in scenarios where ramping up mana is part of the strategy.

Overall, while Hornswoggle may seem situational compared to its counterparts, its ability to disrupt your opponent’s plans while accelerating your mana resources helps to solidify its place in a player’s deck, offering utility that goes beyond a simple countermeasure.

Cancel - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Cancel - Time Spiral (TSP)
Mana Leak - Stronghold (STH)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hornswoggle MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan, 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 Hornswoggle and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hornswoggle has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-01-19 Hornswoggle can target a spell that can’t be countered, such as Nezahal, Primal Tide. When Hornswoggle resolves, that spell won’t be countered, but you’ll still get a Treasure.

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