Dreadhound MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 6 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Demon Dog |
Abilities | Mill |
Power | 6 |
Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
When Dreadhound enters the battlefield, mill three cards. (Put the top three cards of your library into your graveyard.) Whenever a creature dies or a creature card is put into a graveyard from a library, each opponent loses 1 life.
It herds souls toward eternal torment.
Cards like Dreadhound
Dreadhound commands attention in the realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. This imposing creature shares similarities with other high-power creatures that impact the board upon entering, similar to the likes of Massacre Wurm. Both creatures exert a significant presence, and Massacre Wurm also imposes a penalty to opponents when their creatures die. However, Dreadhound’s ability focuses on when opponents’ cards go to their graveyard from anywhere, giving it a unique angle in graveyard-centered strategies.
Another card warranting comparison is Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Both cards are adept at draining life from opponents, with the Merchant dealing with the total number of devotion to black. Dreadhound, in contrast, doesn’t rely on devotion but still offers a substantial life loss effect linked to the graveyard. It’s worth noting the life-draining effects of Dreadhound can be triggered multiple times across the game, versus the Merchant’s one-time effect upon entering the battlefield.
When evaluating Dreadhound against its counterparts, it impressively carves out its niche within MTG’s cadre of black creatures. Its unique ability to punish opponents for discarding or losing cards gives it a strategic advantage in various gameplay scenarios, especially in graveyard manipulation decks.
Cards similar to Dreadhound by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Dreadhound comes into play with a powerful ability that can mill three cards from an opponent’s library to their graveyard, a potent form of card advantage. This effect can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and provides fuel for your own graveyard-based synergies, keeping you ahead in resources.
Resource Acceleration: Every time another creature dies or a creature card is put into a graveyard from a library, Dreadhound grants you a form of indirect resource acceleration by draining life from your opponent. This ability stacks with multiple creatures dying, making it a formidable tool in creature-heavy matchups.
Instant Speed: While Dreadhound itself does not operate at instant speed, it capitalizes on instant speed interactions by reacting to creature deaths and mill effects that can be triggered during either player’s turn. This ongoing threat complements instant-speed spells in your deck, maintaining pressure on your opponent across all phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dreadhound necessitates the strategic sacrifice of other cards, specifically requiring you to discard, which could deplete your hand earlier than anticipated. This can pose a significant setback when trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes double black mana, Dreadhound is somewhat inflexible, making it a less desirable choice for decks that are not heavily black or have limited mana fixing capabilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at six mana, three of which must be black, Dreadhound occupies a higher rung on the mana curve. There are lower-cost creatures that can be played earlier in the game, potentially providing you with a faster and more aggressive board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Dreadhound can seamlessly integrate into various black-centered decks, particularly those championing graveyard synergies or looking to manage board states with creature removal.
Combo Potential: Its ability to inflict damage when other creatures die makes it a natural combo piece in strategies aiming to cycle creatures through the graveyard, elevating the power of sacrificial plays.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment dominated by creature-based decks, Dreadhound offers a robust answer to swarming tactics and can act as both a deterrent and a game-closer with its passive damage ability.
How to beat
Dreadhound is a compelling creature that confronts players with a considerable challenge in MTG. Its power lies in creating a detrimental effect for your opponent whenever a creature dies, causing them to lose life and piling up the pressure. To overcome this fearsome canine, it’s essential to limit creature deaths on your side and prevent those incremental life losses from adding up.
Control strategies become your best friend here. Utilizing spells that can exile Dreadhound sidesteps its ability entirely, as it does not trigger on creatures being exiled. Board wipes can also be a double-edged sword but are effective if you can manage to clear the board before Dreadhound’s ability puts you at a significant disadvantage. Direct removal spells are key, ensuring the Dreadhound leaves the battlefield before it can become an insurmountable threat.
Remember, planning ahead and keeping removal or exile spells at the ready is paramount when facing such a potent adversary. By carefully navigating around it, you can neutralize the looming peril of Dreadhound and maintain your stronghold in the game.
BurnMana Recommendations
Dreadhound emerges as a formidable force in MTG, offering more than brute strength; it’s a strategic asset for those looking to harness graveyard power. Combining disruption with lifedrain, this canine terror excels in black-centric decks packed with creature removal or those exploiting graveyard mechanics for an edge. Embrace its potential and adapt your playstyle to leverage each creature’s demise and accelerate towards victory. Keen to deepen your strategic repository and refine your deck-building prowess around such versatile cards? Step into our hub for insights and tips designed to help you dominate the battlefield and become a true connoisseur of the game’s intricate tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dreadhound 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 Dreadhound 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 Dreadhound Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Joe Slucher.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher | |
2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher | |
3 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 406 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joe Slucher |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dreadhound has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Future | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |