Spoils of the Hunt MTG Card

Spoils of the Hunt - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2021-07-23
Set symbol
Set name	Adventures in the Forgotten Realms
Set code	AFR
Number	205
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Justine Cruz

Key Takeaways

Spoils of the Hunt provides card advantage, aiding in creature retention and board control.
Its instant speed allows for surprise tactics and versatile defensive or offensive plays.
Downsides include a creature discard requirement and a specific, sometimes costly mana need.

Text of card

Target creature you control gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each mana from a Treasure that was spent to cast this spell. Then that creature deals damage equal to its power to target creature an opponent controls.

"Every coin helps rebuild the town they destroyed."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spoils of the Hunt enables you to potentially remove an opponent’s creature while keeping or enhancing creature presence on the board. This can lead to a favorable exchange and tilt the resource balance in your favor, setting up for a strong mid to late-game position.

Resource Acceleration: While Spoils of the Hunt does not directly generate additional mana or produce tokens, the card’s mechanics can work as a resource accelerator by keeping your key creatures on the field. Having creatures that survive encounters which would otherwise require a trade enables you to maintain pressure and board control without spending additional resources.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Spoils of the Hunt allows for flexible responses to threats during an opponent’s turn. By waiting for the most opportune moment to cast it, you can catch your opponent off-guard, disrupting their combat strategies and making it a valuable tool for both offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside of Spoils of the Hunt is its requirement for you to discard a creature card to gain the life and damage bonus. This demand for a specific card type can leave you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is lacking in creatures or when every card in your hand is essential for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Spoils of the Hunt has a mana cost that includes one green mana. This specification means that in decks without a solid green mana base, casting this spell could be challenging, thereby limiting its inclusion to green-centric or dual-color decks that can support the cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana – two generic and one green – Spoils of the Hunt is not the most mana-efficient removal option available. In a game where tempo and mana efficiency are crucial, the cost may be a tad too steep, especially when other spells may offer similar effects with a lower mana investment or additional benefits.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spoils of the Hunt can be a valuable addition to a diverse range of decks. Its scalability with creature power makes it a flexible choice for both aggressive and creature-heavy strategies.

Combo Potential: This card holds combo potential in decks that capitalize on fight mechanics or that benefit from having targeted removal options. Partnering it with creatures that have deathtouch or other damage-triggered abilities can be a game-changer.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the prevalence of creature-based strategies in many metas, Spoils of the Hunt maintains relevance. The ability to selectively remove problematic creatures while also strengthening your board position is a significant tactical advantage.

How to beat

Spoils of the Hunt is an intriguing green instant spell in Magic: The Gathering. It enables a creature you control to potentially overpower another by using not only its power but the additional might provided by your green mana as a pace-setting finishing move. However, the very strength of Spoils of the Hunt lies also in its specificity and is the key to beating it.

To counter this card effectively, players should consider holding back removal spells or abilities that can neutralize the threat either before combat or in response to it being cast. Since the spell hinges on the power of the creature and available green mana, managing either one can tilt the odds. Maintaining open mana for spells like Negate or even a well-timed Unsummon can prove to be invaluable, as they can disrupt the crucial power exchange that Spoils of the Hunt promises.

Moreover, remember that battlefield awareness is crucial; keeping the opponent’s creature count and green mana pool in check limits their opportunities to capitalize on this spell. Ultimately, precise timing and a keen sense of control in the matchup can turn the tables against the tempting power that Spoils of the Hunt offers to green-minded players.

Cards like Spoils of the Hunt

Spoils of the Hunt makes for an interesting combat trick in green decks in Magic the Gathering. If we look at cards like Prey Upon, we can see some similarities as both enable a creature you control to fight an opponent’s creature. However, Spoils of the Hunt has the additional advantage of potentially boosting the power of your creature based on the amount of mana from Snow sources spent to cast it, unlike Prey Upon which doesn’t alter creature stats.

Another card that echoes the battle vibe is Rabid Bite, which allows your creature to deal damage equal to its power to target creature you don’t control. It’s a safer option since your creature doesn’t get hit back, but Spoils of the Hunt is superior if you’re aiming to pump your creature’s power and take out a larger threat. Lastly, Primal Might is worth mentioning; it’s flexible with its scalable X cost mana mechanic allowing for both power-boosting and fighting, giving a two-in-one combo that can be more impactful than Spoils of the Hunt.

Each card presents different strategies for creature interaction, but for those who can leverage the snow mana mechanics, Spoils of the Hunt offers both targeted removal and creature enhancement, marking its spot in the green mage’s arsenal.

Cards similar to Spoils of the Hunt by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spoils of the Hunt MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms, 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 Spoils of the Hunt and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spoils of the Hunt has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Timeless	Legal