Somber Hoverguard MTG Card


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.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Drone
Abilities Affinity,Flying
Power 3
Toughness 2

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.


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.

Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Spire Golem - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Spire Golem - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Somber Hoverguard by color, type and mana cost

Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Harbor Serpent - MTG Card versions
Skyline Predator - MTG Card versions
Isperia's Skywatch - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Harbor Serpent - MTG Card versions
Skyline Predator - MTG Card versions
Isperia's Skywatch - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Somber Hoverguard. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Grixis AffinityGrixis Affinity PauperGrixis AffinityPauper Challenge 64 2024-02-25
Jeskai AffinityJeskai Affinity PauperJeskai AffinityPauper Preliminary 2024-04-30
Azorius AffinityAzorius Affinity PauperAzorius AffinityPauper Challenge 32 2024-03-17
Jeskai ComboJeskai Combo PauperJeskai AffinityLiga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 3
Grixis MidrangeGrixis Midrange PauperGrixis AffinityBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
Grixis ControlGrixis Control PauperGrixis AffinityC'mon! Pozna
Four-color AffinityFour-color Affinity PauperJeskai AffinityIPT Pauper Paradise

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.


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:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG 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.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 512003NormalBlackAdam Rex
22004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 ap512003NormalGoldAdam Rex
32015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 572015NormalBlackAdam Rex
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 5002015NormalBlackAdam Rex
52020-09-26The ListPLST MM2-572015NormalBlackAdam Rex

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Somber Hoverguard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal