Craven Hulk MTG Card

Craven Hulk’s formidable size can shape the game, making it an essential piece for certain strategies. The card integrates well with giant-themed decks and offers synergy with larger creatures. Despite its strengths, Craven Hulk’s limitations require strategic deck building to maximize effectiveness.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Giant Coward
Released	2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Kaldheim
Set code	KHM
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	127
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Nicholas Gregory

Text of card

Craven Hulk can't block alone.

Abandoned at birth, the giant was raised by goats. Ironically, it grew up to be the most cautious member of the herd.

Cards like Craven Hulk

Craven Hulk stands as a unique creature within the realm of Magic the Gathering with its specific condition that prevents it from blocking alone. This characteristic is reminiscent of the Gruul faction creatures that often have high attack values but come with certain limitations. Take a look at Vengeful Reaper, for instance; it’s another creature that offers a strong offensive presence but requires a certain condition to utilize its fullest potential—foretelling to gain additional features like haste and deathtouch.

Another creature worth comparing is Grotag Thrasher, which cannot be blocked by more than one creature. This inversion of Craven Hulk’s limitation offers a different strategic angle, emphasizing unimpeded attack rather than defensive drawbacks. Ferocious Tigorilla also shares a thematic kinship, providing options for increased power or the addition of trample—though without the hindrance on blocking that Craven Hulk exhibits.

Through these examples, it’s clear that Craven Hulk offers a blend of raw power tempered by strategic block limitations, setting it apart in the Magic the Gathering playbook. Players seeking aggressive strategies may find Craven Hulk a fitting choice, especially when they have the means to mitigate its blocking restriction.

Cards similar to Craven Hulk by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Craven Hulk itself may not directly allow you to draw additional cards, its formidable presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking. This may lead to longer games where your superior card draw engines generate the necessary advantage to overpower the opposition.

Resource Acceleration: Integrated into decks that synergize with larger creatures, Craven Hulk can quickly turn the tide of a game. Some strategies might include using its substantial 4/4 body to accelerate your board presence, overshadowing the need for casting numerous smaller spells.

Instant Speed: Although Craven Hulk doesn’t operate at instant speed, its mere existence in a deck can influence an opponent’s expectations. Fast-paced decks might pause to consider the potential for you to have tricks up your sleeve, especially if you’ve been seen to combine it with instant-speed interactions in previous games.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Craven Hulk may not appear to demand a discard, yet its effectiveness in play could force you to dispose of valuable cards just to ensure its survival on the battlefield. This can be particularly detrimental in decks that rely on card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Craven Hulk’s casting cost includes double generic mana, which doesn’t align well with decks focusing on color-intensive strategies. A more diverse mana base could be more practical to fully exploit the battlefield.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Craven Hulk demanding four mana to summon, the investment may not justify the return, especially when there are creatures with lower casting costs that deliver similar or superior board presence. In a fast-paced game, efficiency is key, making Craven Hulk a less attractive option in competitive play.

Reasons to Include Craven Hulk in Your Collection

Versatility: Craven Hulk can be a formidable addition to decks that rely on a strong battlefield presence. As a 4/4 creature, it’s solid in combat and can serve as both an offensive threat and a defensive stalwart.

Combo Potential: With its characteristic as a giant, it has synergy with strategies and cards that focus on giant tribal or benefit from having larger creatures on the field.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where smaller creatures dominate, the Craven Hulk stands tall. Its inability to block alone may not be a significant drawback when it can be an aggressive force in the current meta.

How to beat

Craven Hulk stands out in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to evade most traditional removal spells due to its considerable toughness. Unlike smaller creatures that can be easily dealt with, Craven Hulk requires specific strategies to overcome it. Direct damage spells may not be sufficient due to its resilience. It’s essential for players to consider alternative methods like exile effects or spells that can shrink it down, making it more manageable to handle in combat.

Another effective tactic is using enchantments or abilities that restrict Craven Hulk’s potential to block or take advantage of its drawback where it cannot block alone. This can open a window of opportunity for players to strike through its defenses. Board control spells like Wrath of God or Damnation also sweep Craven Hulk away, regardless of its size. When facing this formidable creature, keeping these strategies in mind can prove crucial for gaining the upper hand and securing victory on the battlefield.

Understanding the decks that commonly use Craven Hulk and preparing by adjusting your game plan and card choices accordingly is fundamental for any player looking to navigate through a match where this card is a potential threat.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Craven Hulk MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Craven Hulk and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Craven Hulk has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Craven Hulk card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2021-02-05	Although Craven Hulk can’t be the only creature you declare as a blocking creature, it can be the only creature that blocks any given attacking creature. Other blocking creatures don’t have to block the same creature Craven Hulk does.
2021-02-05	If an effect says that Craven Hulk blocks “if able,” and you control at least one other creature that is able to block, you must block with Craven Hulk and at least one other creature.
2021-02-05	If you control more than one Craven Hulk, they can all block together, even if no other creatures block.
2021-02-05	Once Craven Hulk has been declared as a blocking creature, it will remain in combat even if all other blockers leave the battlefield or are otherwise removed from combat.