Hawkeater Moth MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Insect
Abilities	Flying,Shroud
Released	1998-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Urza's Saga
Set code	USG
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	259
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Heather Hudson

Key Takeaways

Hawkeater Moth provides graveyard synergy, enabling creature recovery to enhance hand options.
Flying ability bypasses defenses, contributing to board presence and increasing damage potential.
Discard requirement and specific mana cost may hinder integration into some deck types.

Text of card

Flying Hawkeater Moth cannot be the target of spells or abilities.

Each day at dusk the birds above the canopy grow silent.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Players can unearth potent synergies as Hawkeater Moth encourages graveyard interactions by returning a creature card with mana value 3 or less to your hand when it dies, bolstering your in-hand options.

Resource Acceleration: Having flying, this card takes advantage of the sky lanes, which can be a slippery slope for your opponents, as it bypasses ground-based defenses and paves the way for more impactful board presence and potential damage output.

Instant Speed: While the Hawkeater Moth itself isn’t an instant, its death-triggered ability can create tactical advantages, much like an instant would. This unexpected tactic allows players to reclaim valuable creatures from their graveyard and reassess their strategies during any phase of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Hawkeater Moth demands a card to be discarded as part of its activation cost. This can be a hinderance when your hand is already depleted or if the sacrifice is not strategically beneficial.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this creature requires a particular combination of mana, which may not seamlessly align with multicolored deck strategies or those lacking sufficient mana-fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it has interesting abilities, the Hawkeater Moth carries a significant mana value for its effects. This could make it less appealing compared to other options that provide more immediate or impactful board presence for the same or lesser investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Hawkeater Moth introduces adaptability to several builds, particularly those harnessing graveyard mechanics or requiring sacrifice fodder for various abilities. Its capability to manipulate the board upon death makes it a flexible addition to numerous deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: With cards that capitalize on creature death or enter-the-battlefield triggers, Hawkeater Moth plays well in synergistic environments. Its death trigger can set off a cascade of effects in the right deck, amplifying its strategic importance significantly.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that rewards resilient strategies, Hawkeater Moth’s persistent presence, even after being dealt with, can prove crucial. As the card facilitates both offensive and defensive plays, it stays relevant against a range of popular strategies in the current meta.

How to beat

Hawkeater Moth is a recent addition to the MTG arsenal, bringing unique strategies to the table. To triumph against this card, focus on removing creatures before they become a threat. Unlike spells that work from the graveyard, targeting the enchantment directly can be an efficient strategy. Artifacts or spells with the ability to exile or remove enchantments can disrupt an opponent’s board presence, especially when Hawkeater Moth is planning to make its impactful entrance.

Denying your opponent’s creatures can prevent them from achieving the critical mass needed to take advantage of the Hawkeater Moth’s abilities. Utilize board wipes or spot removal spells to keep their creatures in check. In addition, counterplay via counterspells can be a highly effective measure when respond to Hawkeater Moth being cast, squelching the threat before it even lands on the battlefield. Always be prepared, as a well-timed intervention could mean the difference between victory and defeat when facing this particular adversary.

Remember, adapting to the dynamics of your opponent’s strategy by incorporating precise removal and countermeasures in your own deck will enhance your chances of neutralizing the Hawkeater Moth and emerging victorious in your MTG encounters.

Cards like Hawkeater Moth

The Hawkeater Moth introduces a unique element to creature spells in MTG. Its comparison with similar cards reveals interesting gameplay dynamics. For instance, cards like Wall of Blossoms also offer a creature with a beneficial effect upon entering the battlefield. Wall of Blossoms allows you to draw a card, offering immediate value. However, the Hawkeater Moth provides recurring value by being able to destroy opponent’s tokens, a feature Wall of Blossoms lacks.

Another card worth comparing is Reclamation Sage, which, like Hawkeater Moth, has an ability that triggers upon entry to the battlefield. While Reclamation Sage can destroy an artifact or enchantment, Hawkeater Moth’s ability to decimate opposing token strategies can be more advantageous in certain metagames. This distinction underlines the significance of board control that Hawkeater Moth can exert.

Ultimately, Hawkeater Moth stands out among creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects for its token removal utility. It’s a powerful option for players aiming to curb token-heavy decks and maintain superiority on the board, marking its place in MTG as a card with specific strategic advantages.

Cards similar to Hawkeater Moth by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hawkeater Moth MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga, 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 Hawkeater Moth and other MTG cards: