Somber Hoverguard MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 51
2004-09-01 - Number ap51
2015-05-22 - Number 57
2019-11-07 - Number 500
2020-09-26 - Number MM2-57
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Drone |
| Abilities | Affinity,Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Somber Hoverguard can be cast for less, streamlining card advantage in the right deck.
- It accelerates resource development in artifact-rich environments, emphasizing strategic play.
- Integrating instant-speed artifacts can unexpectedly reduce Hoverguard’s cost for a tactical edge.
Text of card
Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs less to play for each artifact you control.) Flying
The vedalken interrogate all intruders—once the hoverguards are done with them.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Somber Hoverguard offers an excellent way to keep your hand stocked by potentially reducing its casting cost. The card’s affinity for artifacts mechanic can significantly lower its mana cost given the right board state, allowing for the efficient deployment of other spells or creatures, thereby maintaining a crucial advantage over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: While the Somber Hoverguard itself does not directly create resources, it synergizes well with decks that use artifacts for cost reduction. This effective utilization of artifacts can lead to a quicker and more formidable board presence, essentially accelerating your resource development by letting you play more expensive spells sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: This creature may not have the instant speed trait itself, but it rewards decks that operate on it. Playing artifacts at instant speed on your opponent’s turn right before you untap can dramatically reduce Hoverguard’s cost. This play can surprise your opponent by amassing a powerful flying threat out of nowhere while still benefiting from the rest of your mana for other instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Somber Hoverguard demands players to discard cards, which could be a setback, especially when options are scarce and the hand size is crucial for maintaining board control or late-game strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a specific combination of blue mana to cast, which not only restricts deck-building options but also can be problematic in multicolored decks where mana fixing is not optimal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the affinity mechanic can reduce the casting cost, the base cost is notably high. This can be ineffective when faster, less costly creatures or spells could offer immediate board presence or game impact.
Reasons to Include Somber Hoverguard in Your Collection
Versatility: Somber Hoverguard can seamlessly integrate into decks that leverage the affinity mechanic, particularly those containing artifacts. It serves as a robust flier and a cost-efficient threat, with its potential to be played for fewer mana resources.
Combo Potential: In combination with numerous artifacts, Somber Hoverguard’s affinity aspect can significantly reduce its cast cost, enabling a rapid deployment and synergizing with strategies that reward artifact density on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: As the metagame oscillates, a deck’s agility to adapt is crucial. Somber Hoverguard offers this adaptability, particularly in environments where speed and evasion are paramount, making it a valuable contender against a wide spectrum of opposing strategies.
How to beat
Somber Hoverguard is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, beloved for its synergy with artifact decks. Its Affinity for artifacts makes it a potent threat by potentially reducing its casting cost to the point where it can hit the battlefield earlier than expected. The Hoverguard, often referred to as a flying menace, has the ability to swiftly reduce an opponent’s life total if not addressed promptly.
To counter this airborne aggressor, you’ll need to include effective removal spells in your deck. Spot removals such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can deal with the Hoverguard swiftly. If you are playing blue, look for counter magic like Counterspell or Mana Leak to prevent it from hitting the field in the first place. Another strategy is to limit the number of artifacts your opponent controls, reducing the efficiency of Somber Hoverguard’s Affinity ability. Artifact removal such as Naturalize or energy weapons like Abrade can disrupt your opponent’s game plan and keep the Hoverguard’s casting cost out of reach.
Overcoming the challenge posed by Somber Hoverguard requires a combination of foresight and responsive deck construction that targets not just the creature itself but also the supporting artifacts key to its strength in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards like Somber Hoverguard
Delving into the realm of efficient creature cards, Somber Hoverguard offers Magic: The Gathering players a remarkable affinity for artifacts, reminiscent of the classic Myr Enforcer. Often compared, these two share the benefit of a potentially lower casting cost, with the Enforcer boasting sheer size whereas the Hoverguard offers flying, making it an evasive threat on the battlefield.
Another card that draws parallels would be Frogmite, similarly leveraging the affinity for artifacts mechanic, often resulting in a free play. However, the Hoverguard stands out due to its ability to soar over ground-based defenses, navigating the skies unimaginably. Moreover, when considering Spire Golem, which also benefits from reduced casting cost through affinity for islands, it underscores the Hoverguard’s versatility in artifact-rich decks as opposed to Golem’s land-type restrictions.
In assessing the role of Somber Hoverguard within Magic: The Gathering, it becomes clear that its aerial dominance combined with the potential for a reduced cost gives it a unique position among creatures in the affinity archetype, striking a balance between offense and efficient casting.
Cards similar to Somber Hoverguard by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Somber Hoverguard MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Somber Hoverguard 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
Printings
The Somber Hoverguard Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Adam Rex.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 51 | 2003 | normal | black | Adam Rex | |
| 2 | 2004-09-01 | World Championship Decks 2004 | WC04 | ap51 | 2003 | normal | gold | Adam Rex | |
| 3 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 57 | 2015 | normal | black | Adam Rex | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 500 | 2015 | normal | black | Adam Rex | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | MM2-57 | 2015 | normal | black | Adam Rex |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Somber Hoverguard has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
