Shriekhorn MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact
Abilities	Mill
Released	2011-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin Besieged
Set code	MBS
Number	130
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Erica Yang

Key Takeaways

Shriekhorn can provide card advantage and strategic graveyard disruption or setup at an efficient cost.
While versatile, Shriekhorn’s demand for resource allocation requires careful deck integration to maximize its benefits.
Despite its strengths, alternative cards may offer better synergy or impact in specific deck strategies.

Text of card

Shriekhorn enters the battlefield with three charge counters on it. , Remove a charge counter from Shriekhorn: Target player puts the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shriekhorn offers a unique form of card advantage through its ability to selectively mill cards from either player’s library. This enables strategic planning and can be key in setting up graveyard synergies or disrupting opponent strategies that rely on specific cards.

Resource Acceleration: While Shriekhorn itself doesn’t produce mana, its low cost and ability to fill graves quickly can accelerate resource availability for decks that capitalize on threshold or delve mechanics, effectively reducing the cost of spells by providing alternate payment options through graveyard resources.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Shriekhorn’s ability at instant speed makes it a versatile tool. You can end step mill yourself to set up for your next turn or disrupt your opponent’s draw by milling them just before they draw, giving you a slight tempo advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shriekhorn’s milling ability requires activation, which diminishes your resources over time. Depleting its charge counters without a strategy to replenish them or capitalize on your graveyard can be counterproductive.

Specific Mana Cost: While the initial cost of Shriekhorn is low, it demands colorless mana. Players who run multi-color decks may prefer cards that help fix their mana base or have more synergy with their deck’s color identity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its utility in mill strategies, requiring two mana for a card that does not directly influence the board state can be a steep investment. In a fast-paced game, you might find more efficient uses for your mana early on.

Reasons to Include Shriekhorn in Your Collection

Versatility: Shriekhorn offers a robust suite of applications across a myriad of deck types. Its ability to mill cards from either player’s deck can be advantageous in graveyard-focused strategies or simply to disrupt the opponent.

Combo Potential: This artifact thrives in combo-centric environments, serving as a reliable enabler for strategies revolving around graveyard synergy. Pairing Shriekhorn with cards that capitalize on graveyard resources can set up powerful plays and even game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyards are a tactical resource or are subject to disruption, Shriekhorn gains value. Its place in strategies that interact with the graveyard, or against opponents who rely on their graveyard, can be a key tactical move, making it a worthy addition to collections for its utility in shifting metagames.

How to beat

Shriekhorn enters the battlefield as a nimble artifact intent on distorting graveyards. This unassuming piece has the potential to accelerate graveyard-centric strategies, milling cards swiftly. As it only requires one mana to cast and holds two charges, Shriekhorn can easily slip into the early game and start influencing the deck dynamics. However, unlocking the puzzle to dismantle its impact is key to maintaining control through the game.

To maneuver around Shriekhorn’s imposing presence, focusing on artifact removal spells or abilities can swiftly nullify its threat. Cards like Nature’s Claim or Abrupt Decay provide efficient and cost-effective means to dispatch the horn. Additionally, utilizing graveyard hate cards, such as Relic of Progenitus or Grafdigger’s Cage, ensures that the milled cards don’t fuel your opponent’s strategy. Moreover, timing your removal or disruption accurately to preempt your opponent’s critical plays that capitalize on a stocked graveyard can turn the tides to your favor.

Ultimately, awareness and readiness are paramount when facing a Shriekhorn. The ability to predict and preemptively answer your opponent’s moves not only defuses the Shriekhorn but also disrupts their overarching strategy, enhancing your position in the match.

Cards like Shriekhorn

Shriekhorn carves its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a potent self-mill artifact. It shares similarities with other cards designed to place cards from a library into a graveyard, such as Millstone. However, Shriekhorn stands out by offering its milling service at no mana cost after it’s been cast, and it enables targeted milling right from the moment it enters the battlefield.

Joining the ranks of graveyard enablers is Ghoulcaller’s Bell. This artifact also mills both players but does so at a consistent pace without the upfront burst that Shriekhorn provides. Another peer in this self-mill category includes Mesmeric Orb, which can mill multiple cards based on untapping permanents but lacks the immediate impact and control over timing that Shriekhorn affords.

Assessing the options, Shriekhorn offers strategic flexibility with its activated ability, providing a distinct advantage in decks that synergize with graveyard strategies. Its utility in enabling decks focused on delve or Threshold is unmatched, making it a staple in certain build strategies within Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Shriekhorn by color, type and mana cost

Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions

Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shriekhorn MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Shriekhorn and other MTG cards: