Tyranid Harridan MTG Card


Tyranid Harridan grants card advantage, potentially disrupting opponents by enhancing battlefield presence. It accelerates resources indirectly through board state dominance and synergy with instant speed. High mana cost and card discard requirement may limit versatility and early game impact.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Tyranid
Abilities Flying,Shrieking Gargoyles,Ward
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying, ward Shrieking Gargoyles — Whenever Tyranid Harridan or another Tyranid you control deals combat damage to a player, create a 1/1 blue Tyranid Gargoyle creature token with flying.


Cards like Tyranid Harridan

Delving into the vast catalog of creatures in Magic: The Gathering, the Tyranid Harridan finds itself amidst a niche group of flying behemoths. Its imposing stature can be likened to that of the iconic Stormtide Leviathan. Both wield massive power and toughness, capable of turning the tides in cornered situations. Stormtide Leviathan, much like the Tyranid Harridan, dominates the battlefield by restricting the types of creatures that can attack, reinforcing control over the game’s pace.

Comparatively, the Akroma, Angel of Fury also shares the skies with the Tyranid Harridan. Both are formidable flyers with protection mechanisms. However, Akroma edges out with more versatile abilities such as protection from white and from blue, and the ability to deal with spells or abilities opponents control. The Tyranid Harridan, though lacking these nuanced defenses, compensates with a unique ability to spawn token creatures, continually bolstering your forces each turn.

When analyzing the strategic adaptability among flying titans, the Tyranid Harridan offers a harmonious blend of aerial dominance and creature production. It’s an asset for commanders looking for persistent board presence, whereas Stormtide Leviathan and Akroma, Angel of Fury exhibit more direct paths to victory. Each card enriches the MTG metagame, providing diverse options for high-powered flying threats.

Stormtide Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Akroma, Angel of Fury - MTG Card versions
Stormtide Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Akroma, Angel of Fury - MTG Card versions

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Esix, Fractal Bloom - MTG Card versions
Experiment Kraj - MTG Card versions
Trapjaw Kelpie - MTG Card versions
Merfolk of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Prime Speaker Zegana - MTG Card versions
Progenitor Mimic - MTG Card versions
Sagu Mauler - MTG Card versions
Scuttlegator - MTG Card versions
Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait - MTG Card versions
Euroakus - MTG Card versions
Skanos, Blue Dragon Vassal - MTG Card versions
The Sixth Doctor - MTG Card versions
Lunar Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood - MTG Card versions
Undercover Crocodelf - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Tyranid Harridan card offers unique abilities that can potentially provide card advantage by disrupting your opponent’s strategy and giving you upper hand with additional battlefield presence.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, the synergies created by the Tyranid Harridan can lead to accelerated board state dominance, indirectly translating to a resource advantage.

Instant Speed: The Tyranid Harridan itself may not be an instant, but its abilities can complement instant speed spells by ensuring a robust board presence, thereby enhancing your instant speed interactions during the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside is the necessity to discard a card to fulfill the Tyranid Harridan’s abilities. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already running low on cards, turning a potential asset into a liability.

Specific Mana Cost: The detailed mana requirement for the Tyranid Harridan means it demands a committed deck-building strategy. It’s not a versatile inclusion but rather situational, requiring a specialized mana base that may not fit seamlessly into many decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its presence on the board is undeniable, the Tyranid Harridan comes with a high mana cost. This factor often relegates it to a late-game play, which can be too slow compared to other cards with similar or more immediate board impact at a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Tyranid Harridan card offers dynamic support to numerous deck themes with its scale of abilities and can adapt to various play styles. Whether you’re piloting an aggressive deck or a more nuanced strategy, the Tyranid Harridan can be a key component due to its multifaceted nature.

Combo Potential: This card can be a lynchpin in decks that capitalize on creature synergies and evolve mechanics. With the proper setup, it can transform the battlefield presence and compound the effects of other creature abilities, leading to powerful combinations that can overpower opponents.

Meta-Relevance: The creature’s inherent capabilities make it well-suited to combat prevalent archetypes in the current meta. Its inclusion in your collection could ensure you have a pivotal asset capable of navigating and influencing the shifting landscape of competitive play.


How to Beat

Tackling the Tyranid Harridan in your MTG matches requires a calculated strategy. The Harridan boasts significant flying power, making it a formidable presence on the battlefield that can quickly overwhelm unprepared opponents. Key to your success will be a strong focus on denial and removal.

Efficient spell choices are your primary weapons against this threat. Consider cards that nullify the abilities of flying creatures or those that can bring down large targets regardless of their airborne advantage. Spot removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size, such as Murder or Hero’s Downfall, can be particularly effective. Additionally, board wipe spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation ensure that even the mightiest creatures, like the Harridan, can be dealt with swiftly.

Remember, relying solely on creature combat to beat the Harridan may not be the most reliable strategy due to its powerful flying capability and potential for high damage output. It’s about making the right choices at the right time to ensure your victory in the skies.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tyranid Harridan MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 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 Tyranid Harridan and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tyranid Harridan Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Billy Christian.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 1442015NormalBlackBilly Christian
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 144★2015NormalBlackBilly Christian

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tyranid Harridan has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal