Crown-Hunter Hireling MTG Card
2016-08-26 - Number 50
2019-11-07 - Number 895
2020-09-26 - Number CN2-50
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Mercenary |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Crown-Hunter Hireling enters the battlefield, you become the monarch. Crown-Hunter Hireling can't attack unless defending player is the monarch.
While most in Paliano seek fame through favor, he'll settle for infamy through blood.
Cards like Crown-Hunter Hireling
Crown-Hunter Hireling is an intriguing creature card in the MTG universe that offers unique advantages and tactical elements to gameplay. It shares similarities with other creature cards like Sin Prodder, which also provides the benefit of card advantage. While Sin Prodder leans on the power of revealing cards to potentially deal damage to opponents, Crown-Hunter Hireling offers a steady stream of cards in your upkeep, given you are the monarch.
Looking at Palace Jailer, another monarch-related card, we see a different approach. Though both cards can make you the monarch, Palace Jailer goes a step further by exiling an opponent’s creature until you lose the title. While not as robust in combat as Crown-Hunter Hireling, Palace Jailer’s control aspect gives it a distinctive edge. Another monarch-themed card, Thorn of the Black Rose, grants the monarchy similarly but is more defense-oriented with its deathtouch ability.
Overall, Crown-Hunter Hireling finds its place in MTG as a valuable card for those looking to draw more cards and maintain a strong board presence. It competes well with cards in the monarch-mechanic sphere, balancing board influence and card advantage in a unique blend.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Crown-Hunter Hireling can potentially draw you an additional card every turn if you meet its monarch condition. Securing the monarch means you’re drawing two cards per turn, outpacing your opponents and keeping your hand full of options.
Resource Acceleration: Although Crown-Hunter Hireling itself doesn’t generate additional mana, becoming the monarch can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. Access to more cards increases the likelihood of drawing into ramp spells or land drops, setting you ahead in the race for mana resources.
Instant Speed: While Crown-Hunter Hireling is a creature and not an instant, its ability to help you become the monarch at any point in the game can potentially tip the scales in your favor during crucial moments. The monarch mechanic encourages instant-speed interaction, as you can reclaim your title and card advantage on your opponents’ turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Crown-Hunter Hireling demands that you discard a card to take advantage of its “become the monarch” feature. This can put a player at a disadvantage when card resources are already thin, making each card in hand invaluable.
Specific Mana Cost: With both red and colorless mana required to cast this card, Crown-Hunter Hireling may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, potentially throwing off mana curve considerations and limiting its overall flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, some players might find the investment into Crown-Hunter Hireling less efficient when looking for ways to become the monarch or establish board presence. There are cards at similar or lower mana costs that can offer more immediate board impact or less conditional access to the monarch mechanic.
Reasons to Include Crown-Hunter Hireling in Your Collection
Versatility: Crown-Hunter Hireling adds value to a range of deck types, serving well in aggressive strategies with its ability to discourage blockades and providing a continuous threat to your opponent’s game plan.
Combo Potential: This card’s monarch mechanic can synergize with strategies that capitalize on being the monarch, as well as with cards designed to benefit from drawing additional cards or from having a creature that opponents hesitate to block.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where gaining the advantage of the monarch can tip the scales, Crown-Hunter Hireling becomes a strategic tool. Its relevance increases in games where maintaining card superiority is crucial to overcoming opponent strategies.
How to beat
Crown-Hunter Hireling can be a challenging adversary on the battlefield due to its inherent strength as a blocker and potential to become unblockable when paired with the monarch mechanic. Defeating this card requires a blend of strategy and timely response. The key to overcoming Crown-Hunter Hireling lies in preventing your opponent from becoming the monarch or reclaiming the title if they do. This will essentially nullify the card’s upside and force it into a passive position.
Aside from controlling the monarchy, employing removal spells that can target and eliminate Crown-Hunter Hireling before the declare blockers step can be effective. Spells such as Murder, Path to Exile, or even temporary solutions like Unsummon ensure that its formidable 4/4 presence is efficiently dealt with. Additionally, making use of creatures with flying or those that possess trample can aid in bypassing its defensive stature or overpowering it during combat to maintain pressure on your opponent.
In essence, gaining control of the game’s monarchy, using well-timed removals, and capitalizing on particular creature abilities are crucial tactics. When executed correctly, these strategies can turn the tables against Crown-Hunter Hireling, allowing players to maintain dominance in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crown-Hunter Hireling MTG card by a specific set like Conspiracy: Take the Crown and Mystery Booster, 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 Crown-Hunter Hireling 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
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Printings
The Crown-Hunter Hireling Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Izzy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 50 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 895 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | CN2-50 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Izzy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crown-Hunter Hireling has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crown-Hunter Hireling card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-08-23 | Abilities that trigger whenever you “become the monarch” trigger only if you aren’t already the monarch. For example, if you are already the monarch as Custodi Lich enters the battlefield, its last ability won’t trigger. |
| 2016-08-23 | Crown-Hunter Hireling can attack only the monarch or a planeswalker controlled by the monarch. This check is done only as attackers are declared. After that point, Crown-Hunter Hireling won’t be removed from combat if that player ceases to be the monarch. |
| 2016-08-23 | If the triggered ability that causes the monarch to draw a card goes on the stack, and a different player becomes the monarch before that ability resolves, the first player will still draw the card. |
| 2016-08-23 | The game starts with no monarch. Once an effect makes one player the monarch, the game will have exactly one monarch from that point forward. |