Horobi, Death's Wail MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 117
2023-04-21 - Number 79
2023-04-21 - Number 144
2023-04-21 - Number 144z
2023-04-21 - Number 14
2023-04-21 - Number 70
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- The card transforms simple targeted effects into powerful creature removal, fundamentally altering combat dynamics.
- Its board control creates a significant resource advantage, dictating the pace and power of gameplay.
- Instant speed responses with Horobi create strategic depth, making it a threat even during opponents’ turns.
Text of card
Flying Whenever a creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, destroy that creature.
"From the ashes of Reito rose a new kami. And thereafter at every battle came Horobi, Death's Wail." —*The History of Kamigawa*
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Horobi, Death’s Wail has a unique ability that turns any targeted spells or abilities into potential removal tools. This can lead to significant card advantage as opponents will often lose their creatures for simply trying to enhance them or even when they become targets of their beneficial abilities.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting mana resources, by controlling the board and destroying opponent’s creatures, Horobi, Death’s Wail effectively accelerates your resource dominance. With Horobi on the field, you dictate the pace, hindering your opponents from developing a threatening board presence and thereby saving your resources for more impactful plays.
Instant Speed: Harnessing the power of instant speed spells and abilities gains an extra layer of strategy with Horobi, Death’s Wail. You can respond to any targeted effects to turn them into removal spells, which can drastically shift the momentum of the game. This reactive capability ensures that as long as you have the mana, you can exploit each targeting opportunity your opponents present, often during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Horobi, Death’s Wail doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, but the unique ability it grants can indirectly force a player to discard cards. Horobi’s ability can turn any target effects into creature destruction, leaving fewer options for those cards in your hand that target creatures–effectively, they might as well be discarded if targeting leads to destruction.
Specific Mana Cost: Horobi, Death’s Wail requires a specific black mana investment of {2}{B}{B}. This cost can be restrictive, making it difficult for multicolored decks or those with a less stable black mana base to reliably cast Horobi without the appropriate mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four mana, Horobi is on the higher end of the mana curve for creatures with its stats. In competitive play, decks strive for efficiency, and while Horobi’s ability is unique, four mana is a hefty cost for setting up a board state where its full potential can be realized.
Reasons to Include Horobi, Death’s Wail in Your Collection
Versatility: Horobi, Death’s Wail offers a unique dynamic to gameplay. As a creature that turns any target effect into a lethal one, it can seamlessly integrate into multiple deck styles, particularly those looking to control the board or exploit targeted abilities.
Combo Potential: Horobi’s ability to destroy any creature that becomes the target of a spell or ability allows for intriguing combinations. Pairing it with cards that can target multiple creatures cheaply or repeatedly can pave the way for a clean sweep of the board.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment rich with creatures boasting strong enter-the-battlefield effects or persistent abilities, Horobi can act as a meta counter. Its presence alone can deter opponents from activating potentially game-winning abilities, granting you significant influence over the course of play.
How to beat
The MTG card Horobi, Death’s Wail introduces an intriguing dynamic to the battlefield. This black creature’s ability causes any target creature to be destroyed if it becomes the target of a spell or ability. To turn the tables against Horobi, Death’s Wail, considering the use of low-cost, widely-targeted spells or abilities that can sweep the board, including Horobi itself, can be strategic. Cards like Cauldron of Souls, which can indiscriminately target multiple creatures, become potent tools to eliminate Horobi without requiring expensive spells or extensive setups.
Another tactic is to exploit Horobi’s effect by using it to your advantage with cards that target multiple creatures for a minimal investment. Activating abilities on permanents like Icy Manipulator or Twiddle can systematically dismantle an opponent’s forces when Horobi is on the battlefield. It is important to remember that Horobi’s ability is symmetrical, affecting all players equally, thus transforming even the most innocuous abilities into potential removal tools.
Ultimately, players facing Horobi, Death’s Wail must carefully navigate their strategies, ensuring that they keep their targeting to a minimum or using it judiciously to clear the board, which includes the disquieting wailer itself.
Cards like Horobi, Death's Wail
Horobi, Death’s Wail brings a unique twist to creature control in Magic: The Gathering. When paralleled with similar creatures such as Massacre Wurm, which forces life loss on creatures’ death, Horobi’s ability instantly destroys any creature targeted by spells or abilities, irrespective of the intent. This creates a shift in the typical combat dynamics, making targeting any creature a risky move.
Looking at cards like Avatar of Woe, another creature with a potent ability to destroy others, the difference is palpable. Avatar of Woe requires tapping and targets only one creature at a time, whereas Horobi’s influence is far-reaching and passive. Additionally, while Avatar of Woe may destroy creatures without triggering abilities like “when this creature dies,” Horobi doesn’t discriminate, altering the play strategy entirely when on the battlefield.
In evaluating their place within Magic’s vast catalogue, Horobi, Death’s Wail emerges as a dark horse in creature control. It’s not only about removing threats; it’s about altering the way players appraise their moves, adding considerable psychological pressure to every action involving creature targeting. Hence, among counterparts, Horobi can be an unexpected game-changer, redefining control and thwarting perceived safety in established strategies.
Cards similar to Horobi, Death's Wail by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Horobi, Death's Wail MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and March of the Machine Art Series, 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 Horobi, Death's Wail and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Horobi, Death's Wail Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 117 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Bolton | |
| 2 | March of the Machine Art Series | AMOM | 70 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 3 | 2023-04-21 | Multiverse Legends | MUL | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Bolton | |
| 4 | 2023-04-21 | Multiverse Legends | MUL | 144 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rorubei | |
| 5 | 2023-04-21 | Multiverse Legends | MUL | 144z | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rorubei | |
| 6 | 2023-04-21 | Multiverse Legends | MUL | 14 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rorubei |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Horobi, Death's Wail has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
