Hematite Golem MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Golem |
| Released | 2003-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirrodin |
| Set code | MRD |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 185 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Paolo Parente |
Key Takeaways
- Hematite Golem supports artifact strategies, offering both in-combat utility and resource acceleration.
- While red mana-focused, its activation cost can be restrictive for non-red or color-fixing decks.
- Outshined by similar cards, its combat adaptability and mana-producing capabilities remain distinctive.
Text of card
: Hematite Golem gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
Centuries before the first peaks of the Oxidda Chain rewrote the laws of magnetism, the golems patrolled Mirrodin's featureless surface unhindered.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Hematite Golem doesn’t draw cards directly, it complements strategies aimed at boosting hand resources. This often comes into play by clearing a path for card-drawing creatures or enabling combos with other cards that capitalize on artifact synergies.
Resource Acceleration: As an artifact creature, Hematite Golem can be instrumental in decks designed around artifact manipulation, potentially accelerating resource availability. It plays well with artifact ramp strategies, providing an additional asset that can be tapped for various effects or used as a resource itself.
Instant Speed: Hematite Golem may not be an Instant itself, but it can certainly benefit from the flexibility of instant speed interaction. For example, playing spells or activating abilities that untap Hematite Golem at instant speed allows for unexpected blocking or enables the use of its activated abilities when opponents least expect it, maximizing its potential in a game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hematite Golem doesn’t have a discard requirement himself, but in a game where card advantage counts, having to use a card to activate its pump ability could set you back in terms of resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Hematite Golem’s activation cost requires red mana, which may not always mesh seamlessly with decks that aren’t red-centric or those that struggle with color fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the activation cost being relatively high to increase its power, players might find the trade-off for a temporary boost in attack power isn’t always worth the heftier investment, especially when there are creatures or spells that are more cost-effective.
Reasons to Include Hematite Golem in Your Collection
Versatility: Hematite Golem from MTG serves as a flexible addition to artifact-centric or golem tribal decks. Its adaptable nature enables you to tweak your strategy on the fly, fitting into a range of board scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card becomes a key component in combos with cards that synergize with artifact creatures or require a steady flow of artifacts to tap for various effects, thereby bolstering your overall game plan.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where artifact decks are prevalent or in a local meta peppered with utility creature strategies, Hematite Golem’s capacity to consistently provide a presence on the board makes it a valuable asset.
How to Beat Hematite Golem
Hematite Golem is an artifact creature that can be a sturdy presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Thanks to its activated ability, allowing it to get a temporary power boost, it can serve both as an offensive power hitter and a formidable blocker. Players might find it challenging to face this adaptable golem when its ability is employed judiciously.
To counter the Hematite Golem, consider employing removal spells that can bypass its activated ability. Direct spot removals like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispose of the golem regardless of its pumped state. Another strategy is to overpower it by summoning creatures with greater toughness, neutralizing its effectiveness in combat. Alternatively, you can incapacitate the golem by using enchantments or artifacts that prevent the activation of abilities, such as Pithing Needle or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, to stifle its power-enhancing feature without resorting to destruction.
Ultimately, with a clear understanding of your opponent’s strategy and a deck that can effectively disrupt or overpower creatures like Hematite Golem, you can maintain control over the game and tilt the duel to your favor.
Cards like Hematite Golem
Hematite Golem finds its niche in the realm of utility creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This artifact creature stands in a league with the likes of Opaline Unicorn and Apprentice Wizard when we consider the ability to generate mana. A comparison with Opaline Unicorn reveals that while both cards tap for additional mana, Hematite Golem requires mana investment to do so. The upside is that it doesn’t limit mana production to a specific color unlike Opaline Unicorn.
Another card to consider is the Palladium Myr, which readily produces two mana without extra mana injections but can’t flaunt the same potential for combat as Hematite Golem. Apprentice Wizard offers a similar function, granting quick access to blue mana but at the cost of not being a creature with considerable toughness. This makes Hematite Golem a robust choice where the flexibility to switch between offense and mana provision is key.
When weighing capabilities and situational advantages, Hematite Golem holds a balanced position among mana-producing creatures in Magic: The Gathering. The versatility it provides by shifting roles from mana source to a fighter makes it a unique component in decks that value adaptable strategies.
Cards similar to Hematite Golem by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hematite Golem MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Hematite Golem 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 Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hematite Golem has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
