Wirefly Hive MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Number	161
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Nottsuo

Key Takeaways

Generates token advantage at instant speed, creating flying threats that may overwhelm adversaries.
Requires card discard and stringent mana, potentially limiting play across diverse deck types.
Despite its mana cost, Wirefly Hive’s versatility and combo potential make it a valuable collectible.

Text of card

, : Flip a coin. If you win the flip, put a 2/2 Wirefly artifact creature token with flying into play. If you lose the flip, destroy all Wireflies.

"The lifespan of a wirefly can be precisely described as 'short.'" —Bruenna, Neurok leader

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wirefly Hive stands out as a formidable card advantage tool, as it proliferates not just creatures, but Wirefly tokens that buzz with potential. Every activation has the chance to double these evasive threats, potentially overwhelming opponents with a swarm of flying attackers.

Resource Acceleration: Wirefly Hive excels in its ability to accelerate your in-game resources without expending additional cards. Each token it produces can be instrumental in ramping your board state, allowing you to deploy larger threats much earlier than your opponents.

Instant Speed: The adaptability of Wirefly Hive comes from its capability to act at instant speed, providing flexibility in your play. You can end step create a token to keep up the pressure or activate it in response to an opponent’s move, making it a versatile addition to your arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Wirefly Hive card requires savvy resource management, as it necessitates discarding one of your cards. This condition could deuce card advantage, placing a player in a precarious position when their hand is nearly depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Integration of Wirefly Hive into a deck can be tricky due to its exacting mana requirement. Decks that don’t operate on the needed color spectrum may find including this card a challenging endeavor, thereby limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When contemplating the strategic deployment of mana resources, Wirefly Hive’s cost might seem hefty relative to other options. Players aiming for optimal mana curve efficiency could cast a critical eye on this card’s inclusion, weighing it against other plausible choices with potentially greater impact.

Reasons to Include Wirefly Hive in Your Collection

Versatility: Wirefly Hive provides a unique and flexible utility to your deck. As an artifact, it can be played in nearly any color combination, fitting effortlessly into artifact-centric or colorless strategies. Additionally, it offers a source of creature generation that can be both defensive and offensive.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combo-driven decks. Its ability to produce insect creature tokens can synergize with numerous strategies that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or dying, such as those that utilize sacrifice mechanics for added value or win conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence is paramount, Wirefly Hive provides recurring value by consistently producing tokens. This card can be particularly effective against control decks that struggle to manage multiple threats, and it can also serve as a deterrent to single-target removal, ensuring that your key creatures remain on the battlefield.

How to beat

Wirefly Hive can present a challenge on the battlefield with its ability to potentially generate a swarm of creatures in MTG. This artifact’s unique mechanism creates a 2/2 Wirefly artifact creature token with flying on every third upkeep, bringing a steady stream of evasive threats to control the skies. It’s essential to develop a strategy to keep Wirefly Hive’s token generation at bay to maintain your advantage.

Firstly, managing artifacts should be a key component of your plan. Artifact destruction spells, such as Shatter or Naturalize, can be timely lifesavers to eliminate the Hive. Cards with repeatable artifact removal like Trygon Predator or Release the Gremlins can be tremendously valuable, controlling both the Hive and the tokens it produces. It’s also worth looking at effects that negate triggers or activated abilities; suppression cards like Pithing Needle can shut down Wirefly Hive before it starts producing tokens.

By prioritizing removal of the Wirefly Hive, deploying flyers or reach-equipped creatures for defense, and countering its token-production efficiently, controlling this artifact becomes much simpler. Remember, spot removal or board wipes for tokens are also a good contingency if the Wireflies begin to accumulate. Tackling the Hive directly and undercutting its token generation will keep this artifact from overwhelming the field.

Cards like Wirefly Hive

In the diverse landscape of Magic: The Gathering, Wirefly Hive invites comparisons with other artifact-centric cards. A noteworthy parallel can be drawn with Thopter Assembly, which similarly excels at generating flying tokens. While Thopter Assembly requires a player to have no other Thopters to trigger, Wirefly Hive offers a more flexible token generation method that’s dependent on probability through its dice roll mechanic.

Another analogous card is Myr Turbine, which also has the ability to spawn artifact creature tokens. Albeit, the tokens from Myr Turbine aren’t volatile like the Insect tokens from Wirefly Hive, which can potentially destroy other tokens if an unfortunate roll occurs. This particular interaction adds a layer of risk and excitement that Myr Turbine doesn’t present.

While exploring these comparisons, you can appreciate Wirefly Hive’s unique position within the MTG artifact milieu. Its risk-reward gameplay introduces dynamic strategies centered around token generation, setting it apart from more predictable alternatives. Deciding to incorporate Wirefly Hive into your deck means embracing unpredictability for the potential of a substantial payoff.

Cards similar to Wirefly Hive by color, type and mana cost

Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions

Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wirefly Hive MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Wirefly Hive and other MTG cards: