Hedron Detonator MTG Card


Hedron Detonator provides card advantage and helps maintain a lead by efficiently cycling through your deck. Increases resource acceleration, perfectly complementing decks that profit from artifact and mana synergies. Its instant speed nature allows for strategic flexibility, disrupting opponents at crucial moments in play.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin Artificer
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control, Hedron Detonator deals 1 damage to target opponent. , Sacrifice two artifacts: Exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn.

"*Compleat* this!"


Cards like Hedron Detonator

Hedron Detonator finds its niche within Magic: The Gathering by offering a unique concoction of mana acceleration and creature boost. It bears resemblance to cards such as Gilded Lotus, both providing a substantial increase in mana. However, Hedron Detonator stands out by also boosting creatures, an attribute Gilded Lotus lacks. With Hedron Detonator’s ability to amass charge counters and convert them into power for creatures, it elevates game dynamics by turning even the smallest of creatures into significant threats.

Another close comparison can be made with Everflowing Chalice, which similarly scales its mana production based on the investment of charge counters. Yet, it doesn’t provide the offensive potency that comes with Hedron Detonator’s secondary ability. Astral Cornucopia also enters the fray as it accumulates charge counters to ramp up mana, but Hedron Detonator’s dual functionality keeps it a step ahead in terms of versatility on the battlefield, offering both ramp and a conditional but potentially game-ending power boost.

The comparison of these artifacts highlights Hedron Detonator’s dual appeal. It is a compelling card for players aiming to harness the power of artifacts to cultivate both their mana base and their offensive capabilities in Magic: The Gathering.

Gilded Lotus - MTG Card versions
Everflowing Chalice - MTG Card versions
Astral Cornucopia - MTG Card versions
Gilded Lotus - MTG Card versions
Everflowing Chalice - MTG Card versions
Astral Cornucopia - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hedron Detonator by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Goblin Flotilla - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Cavern Crawler - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Windseeker Centaur - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Goblin Flotilla - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Cavern Crawler - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Windseeker Centaur - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Providing both a means to damage opponents and cycle through your deck, Hedron Detonator ensures you keep pulling the spells you need to stay ahead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: Alongside dealing damage, Hedron Detonator encourages artifact synergy. By potentially untapping your mana rocks or other key artifacts, it accelerates your resource availability, paving the way for bigger plays sooner.

Instant Speed: This trait is invaluable, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s strategy or end-of-turn plays. With instant speed, Hedron Detonator offers flexibility, letting you decide the most opportune moment to trigger its explosive ability.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hedron Detonator requires players to discard a card to activate its ability. This can be a setback, especially when your hand is already diminished, and you are forced to make tough decisions on which resources to sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact card demands a precise mana arrangement to cast, with an emphasis on colorless mana. Its cost could potentially clash with a deck’s mana curve or its strategic capabilities, particularly in multi-color decks where colorless mana sources are less abundant.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its effect of creating several tokens can be powerful, the financial investment to put Hedron Detonator into play is significant. In a game where tempo could mean the difference between victory and defeat, the cost of four mana could be seen as prohibitive, especially when alternative cards might provide similar or more immediate impacts for less.


Reasons to Include Hedron Detonator in Your Collection

Versatility: This artifact is flexible enough to slot into a variety of deck builds, from aggressive red rush to nuanced blue control strategies, by amplifying the damage of spells or minions.

Combo Potential: Hedron Detonator shines when paired with decks that revolve around casting numerous spells or abilities that benefit from incremental boosts to damage output or strategies involving damage multipliers.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where games can swing on a few key turns, Hedron Detonator’s ability to exponentially increase damage can be the edge needed to outpace opponents, especially in matches where timing and burst are crucial.


How to beat

Hedron Detonator introduces a thrilling dynamic to the battlefield in MTG. This card can alter the course of the game, adding layers of strategy to your matches. To successfully navigate around the power of Hedron Detonator, it’s crucial to understand its mechanics and identify effective counterplays. One effective strategy is to maintain control of the board by keeping the number of artifacts and enchantments in play to a minimum, thereby reducing the impact of its detonation effect. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed removal spells can help dismantle an opponent’s setup before they’re able to capitalize on the Hedron Detonator’s synergies. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant offer a direct answer by removing the Hedron Detonator from play before its triggered ability can overwhelm you.

Moreover, it’s beneficial to keep counter magic in reserve, such as Counterspell or Negate, to counteract the Detonator before it becomes operational. Remember that timing is everything; observing your opponent’s mana and playing around their potential for a game-ending turn with the Detonator is key. By carefully managing your resources and waiting for the right moment to act, you can turn the tides and mitigate the explosive potential of Hedron Detonator.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the dynamics of Hedron Detonator could be the turning point in any MTG match. With its duality of accelerating resources and flexing instant speed tactics, this card might become the linchpin of your strategy. It’s essential to comprehend its pros and cons, tweak your deck to mitigate its potential setbacks, and orchestrate game-winning plays. For those who relish the thought of ramping up their creature’s power and enjoying the depth of artifact-based gameplay, we encourage you to delve deeper into the synergies and strategies that Hedron Detonator can unlock. Tap into our reservoir of knowledge and discover how to make the most of this explosive card in your MTG arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hedron Detonator MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine Commander and March of the Machine Commander, 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 Hedron Detonator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hedron Detonator Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-04-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Caroline Gariba.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 312015NormalBlackCaroline Gariba
22023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 1182015NormalBlackCaroline Gariba

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hedron Detonator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hedron Detonator card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-04-14 If you don’t play the card, it will remain exiled.
2023-04-14 Playing the card exiled with Hedron Detonator follows the normal rules for playing that card. You must pay its costs, and you must follow all applicable timing rules. For example, if the card is a creature card, you can cast that card by paying its mana cost only during your main phase while the stack is empty.
2023-04-14 Unless an effect allows you to play additional lands that turn, you can play a land card exiled with Hedron Detonator only if you haven’t played a land yet that turn.
2023-04-14 You may play the card exiled with Hedron Detonator even if Hedron Detonator leaves the battlefield or you lose control of it.