Hordeling Outburst

Hordeling Outburst

Khans of Tarkir Uncommon
Mana Cost: {1}{R}{R}
Type: Sorcery
Hordeling Outburst Text:
Create three 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens.
Flavor:
"Leave no scraps, lest you attract pests." —Mardu threat
Artist: Zoltan Boros
Collector Number: 111
Release Date: 2014-09-26
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-28T11:20:27.811263 • Legacy Format

The Power and Versatility of Hordeling Outburst

A Simple yet Potent Sorcery

Hordeling Outburst is a straightforward sorcery that has been a staple in various Magic: The Gathering formats for years. Its primary benefit lies in its ability to generate an immediate board presence, making it a go-to choice for aggressive and tempo-based decks.

Understanding the Card's Mechanics and Interactions

This 1R mana sorcery creates three 1/1 red goblin creature tokens, each with 1 power and 1 toughness. These creatures are relatively fragile but can serve as effective chaff to clog up the opponent's board and make it difficult for them to play spells or attack with creatures.

A key interaction to note is that Hordeling Outburst creates creatures with a specific mana cost, which in this case is red. This means that any red mana spent on the sorcery will be "tapped" by the created goblin tokens, effectively giving them a free ride on the battlefield.

Strategic Uses and Synergies

Hordeling Outburst excels in aggressive and tempo-based decks, where the goal is to develop an early board presence and pressure the opponent. Some common strategic uses for this sorcery include:

  • Rapidly developing a large creature swarm to overwhelm the opponent
  • Creating chaff to clog up the opponent's board and make it difficult for them to play spells or attack with creatures
  • Providing a quick source of tempo, allowing players to attack the opponent before they can react

One notable synergy involves pairing Hordeling Outburst with other red creatures that benefit from having multiple bodies on the battlefield. For example, Mogg Fanatic can generate additional advantage by sacrificing goblin tokens created by Hordeling Outburst, while Burning Hands can take advantage of the increased tempo to deal damage to the opponent.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Hordeling Outburst is a versatile card that can fit into various deck archetypes, including:

  • Aggressive decks: focused on rapidly developing an early board presence and attacking the opponent
  • Tempo decks: emphasizing quick development of creatures and pressure on the opponent
  • Burn decks: prioritizing dealing direct damage to the opponent's life total

In terms of deckbuilding roles, Hordeling Outburst can serve as:

  • A late-game accelerator, allowing players to suddenly develop a large board presence
  • A mid-game card draw trigger, generating tokens that can be sacrificed or used to attack the opponent

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Hordeling Outburst has been a staple in various Magic: The Gathering formats over the years, including Standard, Modern, and Commander. Its simplicity and power make it an attractive choice for players looking to build aggressive or tempo-based decks.

In competitive play, Hordeling Outburst is often used in combination with other red creatures and removal spells to create a formidable board presence. Its ability to generate tokens also makes it a popular choice for combo decks, where the goal is to quickly develop an advantage through token generation and manipulation.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

One important note regarding Hordeling Outburst is that its effect is immediate, meaning that the created goblin tokens are generated as soon as the spell resolves. This can lead to interesting interactions with other cards or abilities that affect creature creation or token generation.

For example, if a player casts Hordeling Outburst and their opponent responds with a counterspell, the created goblin tokens will still be generated even though the original spell is countered. Conversely, if a player uses an ability that prevents creatures from being created, such as Council's Judgment, the goblin tokens generated by Hordeling Outburst will not be affected.

Art and Flavor

The art for Hordeling Outburst features a chaotic scene of goblins rampaging through a battlefield, with flames and explosions scattered throughout. This image captures the card's aggressive and tempo-driven nature, emphasizing the importance of rapid development and board presence in red-based decks.

In terms of flavor, Hordeling Outburst reflects the core idea of Hordling, a tribe of goblins known for their fierce warrior culture and emphasis on rapid development and conquest. The card's text also nods to the idea of "outbursts" or sudden displays of fury, fitting for a sorcery that generates an immediate board presence.

Summary of Key Points

  • Hordeling Outburst is a simple yet powerful sorcery that creates three 1/1 red goblin creature tokens
  • It excels in aggressive and tempo-based decks, where the goal is to develop an early board presence and pressure the opponent
  • Its ability to generate tokens makes it a staple in various formats, including Standard, Modern, and Commander
  • Hordeling Outburst can serve as a late-game accelerator or mid-game card draw trigger in deckbuilding roles
  • Its immediate effect and interaction with other cards require careful consideration when building decks around it

Conclusion

Hordeling Outburst remains a potent force in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering players a reliable way to generate an early board presence and develop tempo. Its simplicity and power make it an attractive choice for aggressive and tempo-based decks, while its interaction with other cards requires careful consideration when building around it.

As a staple in various formats, Hordeling Outburst continues to influence the metagame, forcing players to adapt their strategies and builds to account for its presence. Whether used as a late-game accelerator or mid-game card draw trigger, Hordeling Outburst remains an essential tool for players seeking to dominate their opponents with rapid development and tempo-driven gameplay.

Strategic Applications and Archetypes

Hordeling Outburst is often employed in various strategic contexts:

  • In aggressive decks, it serves as a primary source of board presence and early game advantage
  • In tempo-based decks, it creates an explosive burst of creatures that can overwhelm the opponent's defenses
  • In combo decks, it generates tokens that can be manipulated or sacrificed to generate further advantage

Interaction with Other Cards and Abilities

Hordeling Outburst interacts with other cards and abilities in several ways:

  • Creatures generated by Hordeling Outburst will have their mana costs "tapped" by the created goblin tokens
  • Some abilities, such as Mogg Fanatic's ability to generate additional advantage through token sacrifice, can further amplify the effects of Hordeling Outburst
  • Other cards, like Council's Judgment, which prevent creatures from being created, can neutralize the benefits of Hordeling Outburst

Conclusion and Legacy

Hordeling Outburst has been a cornerstone in various Magic: The Gathering formats for years. Its versatility, power, and simplicity make it an attractive choice for aggressive and tempo-based decks. As a staple in various formats, Hordeling Outburst continues to influence the metagame, forcing players to adapt their strategies and builds to account for its presence.

Whether used as a late-game accelerator or mid-game card draw trigger, Hordeling Outburst remains an essential tool for players seeking to dominate their opponents with rapid development and tempo-driven gameplay.

Cards Mentioned in This Review
No other cards mentioned in this review.