Abyssal Hunter MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 103
1999-04-21 - Number 109
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Assassin |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o B, oc T: Tap target creature. Abyssal Hunter deals to that creature an amount of damage equal to Abyssal Hunter's power.
Some smiles show cheer; some merely show teeth.
Cards like Abyssal Hunter
Abyssal Hunter is a creature card that has found its niche within the vast array of MTG cards. With its unique tap ability to deal damage and potentially gain life equal to that damage, it brings to mind cards like Throat Slitter, which also utilizes a damage-dealing tap ability to assert control over the battlefield. However, Abyssal Hunter offers a twist with its life gain aspect, providing a slight edge in terms of survivability.
Another comparable card is Royal Assassin, a classic creature that, like the Abyssal Hunter, can destroy tapped creatures, although without the life gain benefit. Both cards offer strategic value in removing threats, but the built-in lifeline that Abyssal Hunter affords may tip the scales in certain decks. Visara the Dreadful also shares the assassination theme but operates at a higher mana cost and provides neither the damage nor the life gain effects.
In essence, each of these cards carries particular strengths for control strategies in MTG. While Abyssal Hunter may not be as fast as some of its counterparts, the additional advantage of lifegain could make it the hunter of choice in matches where your health total is precarious.
Cards similar to Abyssal Hunter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Abyssal Hunter card provides a steady stream of card advantage, as it allows you to continually disrupt your opponent’s strategy by removing their creatures from the game. This consistent removal can lead to a superior board position and increase your chances of drawing into more impactful spells.
Resource Acceleration: When on the battlefield, it can potentially streamline your resource management. Each creature taken down by Abyssal Hunter could translate into a less cluttered board, giving you more room to deploy your threats and leverage your mana more effectively.
Instant Speed: The power to act at instant speed with Abyssal Hunter means you can adapt swiftly to the shifting tides of play. You can choose the most opportune moment to use its ability, giving you the element of surprise and making it harder for your adversary to anticipate your moves or recover from them.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Abyssal Hunter demands players to discard a card as part of its casting cost, which can be detrimental during the late game or in situations where hand size is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both black and generic mana, Abyssal Hunter may not fit effortlessly into multi-colored decks that struggle with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of four mana, including two black, this card’s ability to remove creatures might come off as inefficient when compared with other removal options available for less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Abyssal Hunter in Your Collection
Versatility: Abyssal Hunter offers dynamic play options, adapting to various strategies. Its ability to selectively remove creatures ensures it fits into multiple archetypes seeking controlled board interaction.
Combo Potential: Partnering Abyssal Hunter with cards that untap creatures could allow for multiple activations in a single turn, establishing formidable combinations that can dismantle your opponent’s board presence.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-based decks often dominating the scene, having Abyssal Hunter as a tool to repeatedly target and destroy key creatures can effectively suppress your opponents’ tactics, making it a prudent choice in creature-heavy metagames.
How to beat
The Abyssal Hunter can be a formidable adversary on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This creature card often presents a challenge due to its ability to remove opponents’ creatures from the game and grow in strength simultaneously. When facing this card, it’s crucial to devise a strategy focused on preventing or mitigating its impact.
One effective method is to deploy instant-speed removal or counterspells, interrupting the Hunter’s ability activation or stopping it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Utilizing sacrificial creatures can also help you control when and how the Hunter’s ability is triggered. Moreover, enchantments that suppress activated abilities can be invaluable in this situation. Cards that provide hexproof to your creatures would prevent the Abyssal Hunter from targeting them, thus nullifying its threat.
Ultimately, overcoming the Abyssal Hunter involves a mix of swift removal, strategic sacrifices, and protective measures. With the right combination of these tactics, one can maintain dominance on the playing field and render the Abyssal Hunter’s abilities moot, ensuring your continued march toward victory in the game of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Abyssal Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Abyssal Hunter and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Abyssal Hunter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Steve Luke.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 103 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Steve Luke | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 109 | 1997 | Normal | White | Steve Luke |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Abyssal Hunter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Abyssal Hunter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The ability can target an already tapped creature. |