This is one of those cards where the obvious, or
"straight" application of it doesn't even begin
to scratch the surface. Blocking a big creature
and getting a bunch of lethal hornets - or even
just threatening to - is actually a decent use
of the card, but it can get a lot scarier than
that. The fact that it only has two toughness
and the tokens are 1/1 makes it a little more
difficult, as Pyrohemia and Pestilence are
probably out, but imagine if you could make it
indestructible . . .
Today's card of the day is Hornet Nest which is
a three mana Green 0/2 with Defender and
whenever it is dealt damage you put that man 1/1
Flying Deathtouch tokens into play. This
is an interesting and entertaining card to use
with power increasing cards like Giant Growth or
similar effects whether used to keep the Nest
alive or to pump up the opposing creature for
more tokens. Evasion and Deathtouch
together is a strong combination and even
getting two tokens out of this is worth the cost
and support exists in forcing an opposing
creature to attack or just hitting your own Nest
with one damage every turn. Overall a fun
and effective card, outside of non-damage
removal, that will at least see some play in
Casual as the reactive nature doesn't suit most
competitive builds.
In Limited this is less likely to see outright
removal and can stall an opposing offense enough
with tokens to buy time or make for an offensive
play. While not directly aggressive it is
a solid first pick and easy inclusion in Sealed
for both the threat of evasive Deathtouch tokens
and the psychological aspect of forcing an
opponent into choosing how to deal with the Nest
and the hornets.
Yesterday's card, Stubborn Denial, was a card
that I had overestimated. Today's card is the
opposite - a card I underestimated. I
immediately labeled him "gimmicky" and threw him
with the junk rares. Upon closer examination,
however, he turns out to be quite useful. Let me
list a few ways I've been able to use him:
1) Initimidate an opponent's attacker. They
don't want you having 6 deathtouching fliers, so
they are not going to attack you with Arbor
Colossus until they find a way to deal with the
nest.
2) Get multiple blockers out of one card to hold
off an aggressive rush deck. He's great against
Goblin Rabblemaster or white weenies. You block
the biggest of their attackers - even if it's
only a 2/2, and get two more blockers for free
next turn. This helps stall until you can get
some big blockers or a way to take out their
horde.
3) Make a horde of surprise flying attackers. At
the end of the opponent's turn, I use Setessan
Tactics to give Hornet Nest the ability to fight
my monstrous Arbor Colossus. They have no way to
deal with the resulting NINE flying 1/1's coming
at them next turn.
It's not an auto-include in any green deck, but
certainly one to keep in mind as you are running
a deck that takes a little time to get set up.
