Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 42
2022-01-28 - Number 42
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Peasant |
| Abilities | Disturb,Transform |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Disturb (You may cast this card from your graveyard transformed for its disturb cost.)
Geor was determined to stay out until he got a bite from something big.
Cards like Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter
Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter slots seamlessly into the realm of versatile creatures in MTG. It mirrors the adaptability seen in cards like Civilized Scholar // Homicidal Brute, allowing players to manipulate the battlefield with a creature that transforms under certain conditions. Baithook Angler, in its initial form, offers early-game defense, similar to the role of Augur of Bolas, though without the card filtering ability.
Comparatively, its nightbound counterpart, Hook-Haunt Drifter, promises a more aggressive evasion tactic akin to that of Mist-Cloaked Herald. However, it stands apart with its spirit synergies and increased power that can edge out damage in the mid to late game. Another card, Loyal Cathar // Unhallowed Cathar, echoes this two-phase utility but with a resurrection twist – a feature the Angler/Drifter duo doesn’t share.
Evaluating these dual-aspect cards shows Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter as a strong competitor, especially in decks maximizing on the day/night mechanic or spirit tribal themes. The card’s ability to adjust roles from a sturdy blocker to a menacing attacker caters to a diverse strategy, securing a valuable place in MTG’s transforming creature lineup.
Cards similar to Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter provides a two-for-one deal by presenting a creature that transforms to adapt to the game’s stage. Initially, the Angler serves as a front line blocker or an aggressive early attacker. Post transformation, the Hook-Haunt Drifter, with its evasion ability, can be a persistent threat that’s hard to block, maintaining your foothold in the game’s tempo.
Resource Acceleration: While this card itself does not produce additional mana or treasure tokens, its versatility as a two-stage creature effectively saves you resources as you’re getting two functional aspects in a single card. This means you are using fewer cards to achieve similar board presence, indirectly providing resource acceleration by preserving cards in hand.
Instant Speed: The transformation from Baithook Angler to Hook-Haunt Drifter can be activated at instant speed, during either player’s turn, offering flexibility and surprise factor. This allows for strategic depth, enabling you to adjust to threats or opportunities unprompted, keeping opponents guessing and forcing them to consider the potential shift from a simple ground blocker to an elusive flyer at any moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the versatile nature of Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter offers strategic play, the transform ability does come with a discard cost, potentially depleting valuable hand resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Baithook Angler requires a precise mana allocation with one blue in its cost. This can make it challenging for players with multi-color decks to cast the card on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the overall resource investment, Baithook Angler’s combined cost for both sides may seem high in contrast to other creatures of a similar ilk. Advanced deckbuilders might find more economical creatures with comparable abilities that better fit certain deck strategies.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter showcases flexibility by offering two creatures in one card. This suits multiple matchups, whether as an early blocker or evasive threat after transforming.
Combo Potential: Once transmuted into Hook-Haunt Drifter, this card excels in spirit or flying-themed decks, synergizing with cards that care about these types.
Meta-Relevance: Against decks that struggle with airborne threats, Hook-Haunt Drifter can apply consistent pressure, and its ability to adapt to different board states makes it a smart addition for players looking to stay competitive.
How to beat
Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter is a versatile card that can adapt to different game situations in MTG. During the day, Baithook Angler presents as a straightforward two-mana creature that primarily serves as an early blocker. However, its real strength is revealed when it transforms into Hook-Haunt Drifter, granting it flying and making it more evasive.
To effectively counteract this card, you should take advantage of its daybound/nightbound mechanic. This means controlling the pace at which spells are played. By casting spells on your turns and ideally forcing your opponent to do the same, you’ll prevent the game from transitioning into night, ensuring the Angler can’t transform into the more threatening Hook-Haunt Drifter. Another strategy is to utilize removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their flying status or employ creatures with reach to defend against it once transformed.
Remember that the key to overcoming Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter lies in maintaining control over the day and night cycle and having the right counters ready. Approaching the conflict with these tactics can help keep this shape-shifting threat in check.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Uriah Voth.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 42 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Uriah Voth | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 42 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Uriah Voth |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Baithook Angler // Hook-Haunt Drifter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | "Disturb -ost]" means "You may cast this card transformed from your graveyard by paying -ost] rather than its mana cost." |
| 2021-09-24 | A spell cast this way enters the battlefield with its back face up. |
| 2021-09-24 | Disturb is found only on the front faces of some double-faced cards. |
| 2021-09-24 | If you copy a permanent spell cast this way (perhaps with a card like Double Major), the copy becomes a token that's a copy of the card's back face, even though it isn't itself a double-faced card. |
| 2021-09-24 | The back face of each card with disturb has an ability that instructs its controller to exile if it would be put into a graveyard from anywhere. This includes going to the graveyard from the stack, so if the spell is countered after you cast it using the disturb ability, it will be put into exile. |
| 2021-09-24 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a disturb cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of a spell cast using disturb is determined by the mana cost on the front face of the card, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was. (This is a special rule that applies only to transforming double faced-cards, including ones with disturb.) |
| 2021-09-24 | When you cast a spell using a card's disturb ability, the card is put onto the stack with its back face up. The resulting spell has all the characteristics of that face. |