Horned Loch-Whale // Horned Loch-Whale MTG Card


Horned Loch-Whale excels in card advantage and can significantly shift game momentum with extra draws. It offers resource acceleration and instant speed plays, enabling strategic depth and flexibility. Despite a high mana cost, its board impact and meta-relevance make it a valuable collection addition.
Horned Loch-Whale // Horned Loch-Whale - Wilds of Eldraine Art Series
TypeCard
Released2023-09-08
Set symbol
Set nameWilds of Eldraine Art Series
Set codeAWOE
Number6
Frame2015
LayoutArt series
BorderBorderless
Illustred by

Cards like Horned Loch-Whale // Horned Loch-Whale

The Horned Loch-Whale thrives in the deep seas of Magic: The Gathering’s vast card pool. This creature offers distinct advantages akin to other leviathans such as the Island-dwelling Stormtide Leviathan. Both command a strong board presence with their formidable power and toughness. However, the Horned Loch-Whale offers a unique perk of potentially unblockable assaults due to its specific ability to slip past defenders under certain conditions, unlike the all-encompassing Islandwalk of Stormtide Leviathan.

Comparing it to the Aethersquall Ancient, another sea giant in MTG’s waters, the Horned Loch-Whale does not come with the same energy manipulation benefits. Nonetheless, it steers clear of the Ancient’s high energy upkeep, making it a simpler and more direct threat. In contrast, Slinn Voda, the Rising Deep brings a wave of board control capable of clearing multiple threats, but at a notably higher mana investment than the Horned Loch-Whale, which emphasizes early aggression.

In evaluating these aquatic behemoths, the Horned Loch-Whale holds its own. Its balanced cost, coupled with the strategic advantage of its evasion ability, marks it as a candidate for decks targeting a powerful yet singular game-changing strike.

Stormtide Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Aethersquall Ancient - MTG Card versions
Slinn Voda, the Rising Deep - MTG Card versions
Stormtide Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Aethersquall Ancient - MTG Card versions
Slinn Voda, the Rising Deep - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

When evaluating the Horned Loch-Whale within MTG, it’s essential to delve into the aspects that make it a formidable addition to your deck. Here’s how it can provide a competitive edge:

Card Advantage: The Horned Loch-Whale shines in its ability to secure card advantage. This creature often comes with abilities that let players draw additional cards upon certain triggers or conditions being met. Securing more cards than your opponent can translate to more options and a higher chance of having the right answer or threat at any given moment.

Resource Acceleration: Aside from card advantage, the Horned Loch-Whale may offer resource acceleration, which is crucial in outpacing your opponents. Whether through additional mana generation or facilitation of resource manipulation, this card can rapidly change the pace and power of your gameplay, allowing you to deploy more threats or answers ahead of time.

Instant Speed: Many powerful MTG cards have their capabilities significantly enhanced when they can be played at instant speed. If the Horned Loch-Whale can be played or activated during any player’s turn, it adds an element of surprise and flexibility, allowing you to react on the fly to an ever-changing battlefield. This adaptability could be a game-changer, offering utility and power precisely when it’s needed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To cast Horned Loch-Whale, you need to discard another card, which might put you at a disadvantage, especially when you’re running low on hand options. This can be particularly cumbersome in situations where maintaining card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a strict mana configuration to play, demanding both blue and green sources. This attribute makes it less versatile as it cannot seamlessly fit into all deck types, particularly those that do not support these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The resources required to bring Horned Loch-Whale onto the battlefield are on the higher side. In situations where tempo and efficiency are key, its mana cost may prove to be prohibitive, allowing opponents to establish board presence while you’re still setting up for this single creature.


Reasons to Include Horned Loch-Whale in Your Collection

Versatility: Horned Loch-Whale’s flexible nature allows it to adapt to various deck styles, simultaneously offering an impactful creature presence and potentially triggering synergy with sea creature-themed decks or those that capitalize on high-powered monsters.

Combo Potential: This card poses great possibilities when combined with mechanics that play off of creature casts or large creature counts, such as with cards that enable you to draw when you cast a creature or those that beef up the power of your existing sea dwellers.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that sees shifting metas, being able to predict and counter dominant decks is key. The Horned Loch-Whale can be a strategic piece in metas where large blockers or creatures with substantial impact on board state are valued.


How to beat

The Horned Loch-Whale has emerged as a unique creature in the world of MTG, renowned for its considerable power and toughness. Strategically overcoming this leviathan requires finesse and a solid understanding of the game. One effective method is to make use of removal spells that can bypass its potential hexproof ability. Cards such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade offer a straightforward resolution to the Loch-Whale’s menace by removing it from the battlefield before it can dominate the game.

Another tactic is to manipulate combat through spells or abilities that prevent damage, such as the use of Fog, which can nullify the Whale’s attack for a turn. Incorporating cards that allow for creature control, like Control Magic, can also turn the tide by seizing control of the Loch-Whale, harnessing its power for your benefit instead of withstanding its overwhelming assault. Lastly, counter spells should not be overlooked. A well-timed Counterspell or Negate can stop the Horned Loch-Whale from ever hitting the field, eliminating the threat before it can make an impact.

Contending with the Horned Loch-Whale’s presence on the battlefield demands prompt and decisive action. Implement a combination of these strategies, and you’ll enhance your chances of reigning victorious against this formidable aquatic adversary.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Horned Loch-Whale // Horned Loch-Whale MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Art Series, 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 Horned Loch-Whale // Horned Loch-Whale and other MTG cards:

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