Empty the Warrens MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Storm

Key Takeaways

  1. Allows players to summon multiple Goblin tokens, vastly increasing their board presence and power.
  2. Scales with the Storm mechanic, where each prior spell amplifies the amount of tokens generated.
  3. Instant speed spells and mana rituals synergize well, enabling a formidable surge in board strength.

Text of card

Put two 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens into play. Storm (When you play this spell, copy it for each spell played before it this turn.)

"They'd pour out of the warrens to make war (and to make room for the littering matrons)." —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. IV*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the spell Empty the Warrens, players can multiply their forces, creating a troop of Goblin tokens that add up significantly in numbers. This increase in creature count can lead to overwhelming the adversary and can often tip the scales in a player’s favor, all this while maintaining a strong presence on the board.

Resource Acceleration: A key feature of Empty the Warrens is its potential for resource acceleration in decks that focus on the Storm mechanic, where casting multiple spells in a single turn amplifies its effectiveness. Each additional spell cast before it increases the number of tokens generated, thus accelerating the player’s available resources exponentially as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: Although Empty the Warrens is a sorcery, its synergy with instant speed cantrips and mana rituals that precede it in a turn can create a powerful and sudden shift in board state. This allows players to capitalize on a single turn, transforming spent mana and cards into a formidable army of Goblin tokens, ready to press the advantage on the next turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Empty the Warrens doesn’t require discarding as a cost, the card’s real power comes from its storm ability, meaning it often needs a series of other spells to be cast first, effectively depleting your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Empty the Warrens requires a combination of generic and red mana, which can be a hurdle in multicolor decks not focused on red mana production.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes two red mana, Empty the Warrens is costlier compared to other low-cost goblin-generating spells, potentially slowing down your game plan.


Reasons to Include Empty the Warrens in Your Collection

Versatility: Empty the Warrens is a powerful card that has the flexibility to synergize with different deck builds. It can be a game-changer in various storm or token-generating strategies, allowing for a swift expansion of your board presence.

Combo Potential: When paired with spells that copy or increase the number of spells cast in a turn, Empty the Warrens can flood the board with Goblin tokens. This helps set the stage for explosive turns and overwhelming strategies that can be difficult for opponents to counter.

Meta-Relevance: The card’s proficiency shines in environments where storm counts can be easily increased. In metas peppered with decks that focus on non-interaction or where the speed of play is critical, Empty the Warrens can become an asset, tipping the scales in your favor with a sudden surge of creatures.


How to beat

Empty the Warrens presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, as this card can rapidly fill a player’s board with Goblin tokens. This sorcery from the Storm mechanic hinges on casting several spells in a single turn to maximize its token-generating potential. Interrupting this strategy becomes key to overcoming the card’s effect.

Countering the initial spells is a direct method, as it reduces the Storm count, consequently diminishing the number of tokens created. Board wipe spells are equally effective, wiping out all tokens post-creation, resetting your opponent’s board presence. Graveyard disruption can also play a crucial role, as it can prevent recursion of Empty the Warrens and similar Storm spells. Spot removal, while less efficient against a swarm of tokens, may also be handy if used wisely.

Ultimately, maintaining control of the game’s pace and being prepared with answers to this high-impact sorcery can ensure that Empty the Warrens doesn’t overwhelm your defenses. Adequate preparation and a quick response can mean the difference between victory and being overrun by a horde of Goblin tokens.


BurnMana Recommendations

Building a well-rounded MTG arsenal means knowing how to conjure an army in the blink of an eye, and Empty the Warrens could be the sorcery to tip the scales in your favor. A card with dual potential, it rewards those who deftly manage their spell casting, turning a single turn into an overwhelming force of Goblin tokens. As you cultivate your strategy and collection, considering Empty the Warrens can be a turning point in your gameplay. Discover how this spell can redefine your match dynamics and whether it deserves a coveted spot in your deck. Ready to dominate the battlefield with a goblin horde? Learn more with us and enhance your MTG acumen.


Cards like Empty the Warrens

In Magic: The Gathering, Empty the Warrens is a potent spell known for its ability to quickly fill the battlefield with Goblin tokens. A card that echoes this concept is Dragon Fodder, a spell of lower cost that also produces Goblin tokens, albeit in a more modest quantity. While Empty the Warrens can potentially create a massive army in a single turn, particularly with the storm mechanic amplifying its effect, Dragon Fodder offers a reliable, though less explosive, option for token generation.

Krenko’s Command is another card that shares similar characteristics with Empty the Warrens, producing two Goblin tokens for the same mana investment as Dragon Fodder. What sets Empty the Warrens apart is its scalability; its power increases exponentially with each spell cast prior in the turn, whereas the other two options have a fixed output. Lastly, Hordeling Outburst generates a trio of Goblins for one additional mana, presenting a balanced choice between the high ceiling of Empty the Warrens and the constant output of its counterparts.

In the landscape of token-generating spells within Magic: The Gathering, Empty the Warrens stands out for its unique storm-driven potential to overwhelm opponents, contrasting with the steadiness and predictable nature of cards like Dragon Fodder, Krenko’s Command, and Hordeling Outburst.

Dragon Fodder - MTG Card versions
Krenko's Command - MTG Card versions
Hordeling Outburst - MTG Card versions
Dragon Fodder - MTG Card versions
Krenko's Command - MTG Card versions
Hordeling Outburst - MTG Card versions

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Reign of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Deadshot - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Flood - MTG Card versions
Relentless Assault - MTG Card versions
Flameshot - MTG Card versions
Bend or Break - MTG Card versions
Scorching Missile - MTG Card versions
Reckless Crew - MTG Card versions
Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Demolish - MTG Card versions
Granulate - MTG Card versions
Touch and Go - MTG Card versions
Sunder from Within - MTG Card versions
Thoughts of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Inner Fire - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Slide - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Empty the Warrens MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral and Modern Masters, 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 Empty the Warrens and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Empty the Warrens Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-10-06Time SpiralTSP 1522003NormalBlackMark Brill
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1122003NormalBlackJasper Sandner
32017-03-31Duel Decks: Mind vs. MightDDS 152015NormalBlackJasper Sandner
42021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1622015NormalBlackMark Brill
52023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 1182015NormalBlackJohan Grenier
62023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3181997NormalBlackJohan Grenier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Empty the Warrens has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperBanned
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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