Infinite tokens and mana with:
Filigree Sages plus
Grand Architect plus
Mycosynth Lattice plus
Power Artifact plusplus
Mana Reflection
A second Power Artifact (or March of the Machines + Training Grounds x2/Heartstone x4)
Tap The Hive and 1 mana to make a token, then make the token blue with Grand Architect for U. Tap the token for 4 (can be used as any color because of Mycosynth Lattice) use one to untap The Hive with Filigree Sages, then repeat.
What, you were expecting something practical with this piece of garbage? At least I tried! >.<
Posted By:
Lyoncet
(3/18/2011 12:11:28 PM)
With an unwinding clock and a everflowing chalice on 5 counters you can basically do this for free on every players turn.
Theres better stuff to do with the mana.
mmh might go in an edh deck
cool art
Posted By:
nope.avi
(11/21/2011 9:06:55 PM)
5/5. Creature tokens owe everything they have to this card. Though it was overcosted in anticipation that it was a too-powerful ability if it was cheaper, we wouldn't have tokens without it.
Posted By:
Kryptnyt
(9/13/2011 4:13:53 AM)
Yup, probably the worst token generator. Ever. Of all Time. I laughed and laughed and laughed when it was re-printed, and still as a rare!
Typicaly, a fair cost for a 1/1 flyer is one colored and one colorless, making it all colorless adds one more, add the ability to field more than 4 copys of it should make it at the very most a 4 costing Bee.
(Yes with Power Creep, that fair cost is high by todays standards, where a 1/1 unblockable costs one blue OR one white)
If it didnt need to tap, it would be worth it. At least then you could funnel hoards of mana into it at a time. Or T and XX colorless mana to make X Bees
Posted By:
YotianSoldier
(8/19/2009 9:41:15 PM)
Hilariously overcosted, as has been stated before. However, the fact that the tokens are artifacts and have flying makes it marginally better. Marginally.
Posted By:
TDL
(10/17/2010 9:56:57 PM)
As with a number of "bad" cards, it's not as terrible in Multiplayer. Cheaper/faster token generators like Sacred Mesa or Ant Queen have a tendency to become lightning rods for removal or get you focus-fired as a threat. This card is more likely to slide under the radar, allowing you to build up some chump blockers/reusable pingers. And since multiplayer games are typically longer (and with more turns in the midgame where you have leftover mana), the cost isn't as prohibitive.
That said, I can't think of a time I'd play this in a 1 on 1 duel.
Posted By:
Yendorian
(11/18/2009 6:18:30 PM)
Problem one: Costs too much.
Problem two: Ability costs too much.
Problem three: Bees too wimpy.
And why are they artifacts? Who's the madman making mechanical insects? Certainly not me.
Posted By:
Rainyday2012
(7/27/2009 5:41:59 PM)
The Johnny in me wants to do something with this card, but the almost non-existent Spike in me just gut punches me any time I think about it.
Posted By:
YellowWalker
(8/18/2012 9:39:00 AM)
Here is my question:Why? Why bring this card back, and waste a rare slot in 10th when it is clearly so terrible. I mean, come on; Times have changed to the point that a 1/1 for 5 mana is entirely too expensive. Insects aren't even a creature type that has any use or connection with anything else, so that can't even validate it. Many better things could have taken this slot, like the Verudun Enchantress, who was cut from 10th, and she actually has use and purpose. Keep things like this out of the core editions, and actually find things that can have use in standard formats, rather than being a supreme disappointment to someone who opens a booster that may have this in it.
Posted By:
Oleander
(11/15/2008 12:41:55 PM)
So lemme get this straight- I have to drop 5 mana to even play the hive in the first place. To get a creature I have to pay an additional 5 mana and tap the hive. So to be able to drop a creature the turn the hive comes into play I'd need 10 mana? ten mana? You know what else has a CMC of 10? Progenitus. Spawnsire of Ulamog. Deep-Sea Kraken. Kozilek, Butcher of Truth.. I'd much rather drop a game winner than a chump blocker for 10 freakin mana. Don't even get me started on the alternatives to wasting 5 mana for a 1/1 flier on subsequent turns.
Oh, and in case you really need flying tokens, bitterblossom blows this out of the water. and there's no drawback to that if you drop soul warden or something similar.
A horrible, horrible card, and a terrible choice to reprint it. Even in multiplayer it is completely outclassed.
Posted By:
allmighty_abacus
(6/7/2010 7:10:27 PM)