Saber Ants MTG Card


Overtakes opponents by amassing 1/1 insect tokens for a battlefield advantage. Indirect resource acceleration through potential combo interactions with other cards. Instant speed damage to Saber Ants triggers surprise token generation.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Insect
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever Saber Ants is dealt damage, you may put that many 1/1 green Insect creature tokens into play.

They stay on the battlefield only long enough to consume the losers.


Cards like Saber Ants

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Saber Ants presents a unique blend of creature benefits and token generation. It invites comparison to Hornet Queen, a creature known for its ability to generate multiple insect tokens. While Hornet Queen produces flyers straight away, Saber Ants requires combat damage to spawn tokens. This can be advantageous in decks that provoke attacks or use the ants as a defensive strategy.

A card like Broodhatch Nantuko also mirrors the insect-token-generating theme but differs in that the tokens are created when it’s dealt damage, not just in combat. With Saber Ants, you need to endure the battlefield fray to reap the rewards of your insect army. On the other hand, Ant Queen, another analogous card, allows the player to create tokens at will by paying mana, providing a more controllable and versatile approach to token generation compared to the reactive style of Saber Ants.

Upon examining different approaches to token generation among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Saber Ants holds a unique position, calling for tactical combat engagement to build its forces, which could potentially offer an overwhelming advantage on the battlefield.

Hornet Queen - MTG Card versions
Broodhatch Nantuko - MTG Card versions
Ant Queen - MTG Card versions
Hornet Queen - MTG Card versions
Broodhatch Nantuko - MTG Card versions
Ant Queen - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Saber Ants by color, type and mana cost

Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
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Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions
Giant Spider - MTG Card versions
Marsh Viper - MTG Card versions
Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions
Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions
Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Saber Ants has the capability to produce numerous 1/1 Insect creature tokens when it is dealt damage, which can swiftly turn into a considerable advantage on the battlefield. This swarm of insects can overtake opponents and become a source of recurring value, enabling you to outnumber the opponent’s forces and apply pressure.

Resource Acceleration: While Saber Ants itself doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, its ability to create multiple creatures can be combined with other cards that tap creatures for mana or sacrifice creatures for added benefits, indirectly leading to potential resource acceleration. This allows you to potentially harness your growing insect army for various strategic purposes beyond just attacking or blocking.

Instant Speed: Saber Ants benefits from spells or effects at instant speed that cause damage to it, triggering its token generation ability unexpectedly during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn. This element of surprise can shift the tide of the game, especially if you are able to block with Saber Ants and then damage it to create insects that can block additional attackers.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Saber Ants doesn’t directly enforce a discard, maintaining a creature-centric strategy may inadvertently pressure you into sacrificing other potential plays or discarding to keep up with mana curves.

Specific Mana Cost: Saber Ants requires a specific combination of mana, which includes green. This can make it less flexible, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks that are heavy in green mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its four mana cost, it competes with other impactful four-drop creatures or spells. Considering MTG’s vast card pool, evaluating its cost-effectiveness is vital, especially when other cards may provide immediate board presence or value.


Reasons to Include Saber Ants in Your Collection

Versatility: Saber Ants offer a flexible role in decks that capitalize on creature tokens and sacrifice mechanics. Because they create insect tokens upon taking damage, they can easily integrate into various strategic plays and deck themes.

Combo Potential: These creatures work exceptionally well with cards that trigger upon creature death or token generation, paving the way for powerful combos that can swiftly overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors board presence and incremental advantage, Saber Ants can consistently provide a stream of tokens to either block enemy forces or support an aggressive playstyle with a growing army of insects.


How to beat

Saber Ants pose a unique challenge on the Magic: The Gathering battlefield. Renowned for their ability to spawn insect tokens whenever they are dealt damage, they can quickly overwhelm opponents who are unprepared. To effectively combat these pesky insects, strategic planning is crucial. Relying on spells that can remove creatures without dealing damage, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can prove invaluable, as they bypass the Ants’ token-generating ability entirely.

Control decks have an advantage here, with board wipes like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict being particularly effective, resetting the board and clearing swarms without triggering the Ants’ ability. Additionally, using enchantments such as Pacifism to neutralize Saber Ants without harming them can prevent further insect tokens from overrunning the field. In essence, the key to defeating Saber Ants lies in avoiding direct damage and leveraging removals that circumvent their defensive mechanism.

Understanding the nature of Saber Ants and carefully selecting your methods of removal can ensure that this creature, while capable of generating a formidable presence, will not stand in the way of your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG includes knowing how to leverage each card’s unique abilities. With Saber Ants, you harness the power to create an insect army that can become the backbone of your strategy. This card thrives in decks built around tokens and synergistic sacrifice mechanics, and its potential for creating overwhelming board presence should not be underestimated. If you’re interested in bolstering your green-centric deck, or simply want to explore new strategic horizons, Saber Ants could be a valuable addition to your collection. Dive deeper into MTG strategies and expand your gameplay repertoire with our resources. Steer your deck to victory with informed choices and dynamic plays.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Saber Ants MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and The List, 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 Saber Ants and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Saber Ants Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 1999-10-04. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 2671997NormalBlackGreg Staples
22020-09-26The ListPLST MMQ-2671997NormalBlackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Saber Ants has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal