Hornet Cannon MTG Card

Stronghold (STH)
1998-03-02 - Number 136

Hornet Cannon - Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)

Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition (DDE)
2010-03-19 - Number 28

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact

Key Takeaways

Hornet Cannon offers card advantage by creating flying tokens, increasing board presence without using your hand.
Instant speed token creation with Hornet Cannon allows flexible defense and surprise tactics during games.
Its unique ability to produce deathtouch insects positions it as a niche yet powerful defensive tool in MTG.

Text of card

o3, oc T: Put a Hornet token into play. Treat this token as a 1/1 artifact creature with flying that is unaffected by summoning sickness. At end of turn, destroy the token.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Hornet Cannon doesn’t allow direct card draw, the artifact’s potential to create multiple token creatures over time can effectively translate into card advantage. By providing 1/1 flying Insect artifact creature tokens for each mana spent, it gives you the ability to build a formidable presence on the board without depleting your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although Hornet Cannon doesn’t directly produce mana or Treasures, the tokens it creates at instant speed can serve as blockers or attackers—freeing up your other resources for different spells or abilities. Over time, this can contribute to a more efficient allocation of your in-game resources.

Instant Speed: The ability to create tokens at instant speed is a strategic advantage, allowing flexible response to threats or end-of-turn utility. By producing a creature after your opponent has committed to attacks or spells, Hornet Cannon provides tactical options that can surprise an adversary and shift the tide of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Hornet Cannon, players don’t have to worry about discarding cards, but this artifact still presents some challenges. As with any piece in your deck, it’s critical to weigh the benefits against potential limitations.

Specific Mana Cost: Hornet Cannon requires a precise mana investment to get started. With its artifact nature, while it does not demand a specific color, its cost of four generic mana means setup might take time, especially in the early game where speed is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying Hornet Cannon comes with a significant mana investment. At four mana, players must consider if its ability to create flying insect tokens is worth the initial and ongoing costs when other cards could provide more immediate board presence or game-changing effects.

Reasons to Include Hornet Cannon in Your Collection

Versatility: Hornet Cannon is a unique artifact in the world of MTG that can adapt to various strategies and decks. Its ability to produce flying creature tokens makes it a flexible defensive option against numerous threats, as well as an offensive tool to chip away at an opponent’s life points.

Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that capitalize on creature or artifact synergies. With the right combination of cards, it can become a centerpiece in an engine that produces a swarm of insect tokens, bolstering strategies centered around token proliferation or sacrifice mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG meta evolves, decks that can create and utilize a wide array of tokens tend to remain resilient. Hornet Cannon’s ability to consistently produce blockers with flying can be a game-changer, offering protection against popular flying threats and giving players an edge in meta-relevant matchups.

How to Beat

Hornet Cannon is a quirky artifact creature generator in the Magic: The Gathering universe. This card’s ability to create flying insect tokens with deathtouch whenever it’s dealt damage can put opponents on a strict defensive. Any strategy aiming to dismantle this threat must revolve around preventing those pesky insects from swarming the battlefield.

To effectively combat Hornet Cannon, consider employing artifact removal spells since they directly target the root of the problem. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can swiftly take down the cannon, leaving the token strategy in shambles. Additionally, going for the decks that rely on Hornet Cannon demands a robust plan to manage the tokens. Board clearance spells, like Supreme Verdict or Anger of the Gods, can wipe out existing tokens, disarming an imminent aerial assault. Another approach is to circumvent the token generation with cards that restrict abilities from triggering, like Pithing Needle, essentially rendering the Hornet Cannon inert.

Understanding the mechanics and having the right countermeasures prepped is key to victory. By focusing on preemptive disruption of the Cannon’s capability or sweeping clean any token buildup, you’ll neutralize one of the more unique threats in Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of cards.

Cards like Hornet Cannon

Hornet Cannon is an intriguing artifact in Magic: The Gathering, much akin to other token-generating artifacts such as Myr Turbine and Thopter Assembly. Like Myr Turbine, which fabricates Myr artifact creature tokens, Hornet Cannon specializes in producing insect creature tokens with flying and deathtouch. However, Hornet Cannon’s ability to churn out flying blockers could be a game changer, making it a critical piece in certain defensive strategies.

Contrasting it with Thopter Assembly, the six mana investment initially appears steep, yet Thopter Assembly returns to the hand and floods the field with tokens every turn. Hornet Cannon requires continuous mana input for each insect, but gives flexibility in token production. Additionally, cards like Trading Post may not produce creature tokens as efficiently, but offer a broader utility by allowing artifact recycling or life gain, proving that artifact flexibility can be key to certain builds.

Reflecting on their mechanisms and utility, Hornet Cannon holds a unique niche within Magic: The Gathering’s expansive artifact ensemble, poised for precision tactical plays with its insect swarming capability. The balance between cost, output, and tactical versatility makes it a distinct, albeit niche, option for players.

Cards similar to Hornet Cannon by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hornet Cannon MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition, 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 Hornet Cannon and other MTG cards: