The Locust God MTG Card


Card draws trigger the creation of 1/1 insects, optimizing board presence and offensive tactics. Flexibility in game-play with instant-speed token generation, catching opponents by surprise. High mana cost and specific color requirements may limit deck integration and early game options.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
Rarity
TypeLegendary Creature — God
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying Whenever you draw a card, create a 1/1 blue and red Insect creature token with flying and haste. : Draw a card, then discard a card. When The Locust God dies, return it to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.


Cards like The Locust God

The Locust God stands out within the pantheon of MTG legendary creatures, especially for players who favor drawing cards to create insect swarms. Whirler Virtuoso offers an alternative path for token generation, although it requires energy as a resource instead of card draw. The Locust God’s strength lies in its ability to produce a 1/1 Insect token with flying each time you draw a card.

Arjun, the Shifting Flame presents a different approach but shares the love of card cycling. Each time you cast a spell, you get a new hand of cards, potentially generating a multitude of insects with The Locust God’s ability. Another powerful peer is Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind, which not only draws you cards but also pings your opponents for each card drawn, setting up for aggressive plays. Nonetheless, The Locust God is distinctive in its durability, automatically returning to your hand when it dies, ensuring a persistent threat.

Ultimately, when comparing The Locust God to its peers, its unique synergy with card draw mechanics and token generation provides a consistent advantage for players who build their strategies around card flow and board presence.

Whirler Virtuoso - MTG Card versions
Arjun, the Shifting Flame - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind - MTG Card versions
Whirler Virtuoso - MTG Card versions
Arjun, the Shifting Flame - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Locust God by color, type and mana cost

Firestorm Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Melek, Izzet Paragon - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind - MTG Card versions
Mindwrack Liege - MTG Card versions
Nucklavee - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius - MTG Card versions
Arjun, the Shifting Flame - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Parun - MTG Card versions
Sliv-Mizzet, Hivemind - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Titan - MTG Card versions
Neera, Wild Mage - MTG Card versions
Wyll of the Elder Pact - MTG Card versions
Mutalith Vortex Beast - MTG Card versions
Firestorm Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Melek, Izzet Paragon - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind - MTG Card versions
Mindwrack Liege - MTG Card versions
Nucklavee - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius - MTG Card versions
Arjun, the Shifting Flame - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Parun - MTG Card versions
Sliv-Mizzet, Hivemind - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Titan - MTG Card versions
Neera, Wild Mage - MTG Card versions
Wyll of the Elder Pact - MTG Card versions
Mutalith Vortex Beast - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Four-color ComboFour-color Combo GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With The Locust God’s ability to create a 1/1 insect creature token with flying and haste for each card you draw, this mighty card turns any card draw into potential for an offensive swarm. This is especially powerful as it allows continuous building of your board presence without expending extra resources.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that focus on drawing cards, The Locust God accelerates your resources by providing not only creatures but potential blockers or attackers each turn. This capacity to multiply your threats on the board with every draw is a decisive way to outpace your opponent’s resources.

Instant Speed: The Locust God allows you to draw cards on your opponent’s turn, hence triggering the creation of insect tokens at instant speed. This characteristic provides flexibility and surprise, allowing for unexpected blocks or end-of-turn pressure, catching opponents off guard before your turn even begins.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Locust God’s abilities could be less impactful if you’re forced to discard valuable cards to utilize its full potential, making its synergy with your hand an important consideration.

Specific Mana Cost: This MTG card requires a commitment to both blue and red mana, which could restrict its inclusion in decks that cannot consistently produce both types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing six mana to summon, The Locust God sits at a higher tier on the mana curve. This makes it compete with other high-impact late-game options, potentially limiting your strategic choices in the earlier stages of the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Locust God offers adaptability as it can seamlessly integrate into a wide range of decks. It shines in those that capitalize on drawing cards, as every card drawn translates into a 1/1 flying insect token. This allows for both defensive and offensive strategies, making it a must-have for players who prefer flexible commanders.

Combo Potential: This card is a powerhouse in terms of synergistic play. With the right combination of cards, such as those that allow you to draw multiple cards per turn or double the number of tokens created, The Locust God can quickly overwhelm opponents with a swarm of insect tokens, turning the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to generate a board presence and maintain card advantage, The Locust God remains relevant in various meta environments. Whether you’re facing down aggressive strategies or navigating through control matchups, the constant pressure applied by the generated insect tokens can be crucial for victory.


How to Beat

The Locust God is an impactful commander in MTG, known for creating a swarm of insect tokens with its powerful card-draw synergy. Tackling this formidable foe requires strategic dismantling of its key advantages. Keeping pressure via creature removal can halt the flow of insects, as the creation of tokens is contingent on drawing cards. Employing board wipes like Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act can reset the overwhelming token presence.

Furthermore, targeted discard effects such as Thoughtseize can disrupt your opponent’s plans by removing key pieces from their hand before they can utilize The Locust God’s abilities. Utilizing graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can combat the recurring nature of The Locust God, as it’s designed to return to its owner’s hand at the beginning of the next upkeep after death. Lastly, countering crucial draw spells with instants like Counterspell can prevent the combo from starting, keeping the board clear of relentless insects and paving the way for victory.

Applying these tactics allows players to effectively confront The Locust God, ensuring it doesn’t overwhelm the game with its potential for exponential token generation and board dominance.


BurnMana Recommendations

For MTG enthusiasts diving into competitive play or enriching their collections, The Locust God is a formidable addition with strengths ranging from token generation to card advantage. In light of its unique ability to turn every card draw into flying, hasty insects, consider its place in your blue-red strategies or commander decks. Understand its mana requirements and potential drawbacks, but also embrace the creative combos and meta resilience it offers. If you’re aiming to keep your opponents on their toes with a constantly evolving board presence, delve into our comprehensive resources. Discover decks and strategies where The Locust God can truly shine and ensure your MTG sessions are as strategic as they are enjoyable.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Locust God MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet Invocations and Hour of Devastation, 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 The Locust God and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Locust God Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 512015NormalBorderlessGrzegorz Rutkowski
22017-07-14Hour of DevastationHOU 1392015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
32017-07-15Hour of Devastation PromosPHOU 139s2015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 9032015NormalBorderlessSee Machine
52020-04-17Commander 2020C20 2192015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
62020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 2432015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
72020-09-26The ListPLST C20-2192015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
82023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3352015NormalBlackLius Lasahido

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Locust God has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-07-14 If a spell or ability causes you to put cards into your hand without specifically using the word “draw,” The Locust God's first triggered ability won't trigger.
2017-07-14 If this creature dies but leaves your graveyard before the next end step, it will remain in its new zone.
2017-07-14 The “next end step” refers to the next end step that occurs, not the end step of the next turn. If this creature dies before a turn's end step (for example, during combat), it will be returned to its owner's hand at the beginning of that turn's end step.