Henchfiend of Ukor MTG Card

Future Sight (FUT)
2007-05-04 - Number 117

Henchfiend of Ukor - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)

Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
2021-03-19 - Number 170

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Ogre
Abilities	Echo,Haste
Power	3
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Henchfiend of Ukor’s haste allows immediate board impact, applying pressure without overcommitting resources.
Its echo cost offers a form of temporary mana flexibility, aiding in diverse spell casting possibility.
Potential instant-speed play enhances its surprise factor, altering opponent tactics just before your turn.

Text of card

Haste Echo (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice this permanent unless you pay its echo cost.) {BR}: Henchfiend of Ukor gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Henchfiend of Ukor itself does not directly allow you to draw cards, it supports card advantage by being a recurring threat. Its Haste feature helps apply pressure early in the game, potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy and preserving the cards in your hand as you may not need to commit additional creatures to the board prematurely.

Resource Acceleration: Henchfiend of Ukor doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration such as providing additional mana or Treasure tokens. However, its echo cost can be seen as a form of temporary acceleration, giving you the option to benefit from a 4/4 creature immediately without paying its mana cost upfront. This can leave you with mana available to cast other spells in the interim, effectively allowing you to advance your board state or respond to threats without having to invest the full cost of the creature right away.

Instant Speed: The ability of Henchfiend of Ukor to be played at instant speed is not inherent to the card itself. However, in decks that can flash creatures or spells, maneuvering Henchfiend into play during the end phase of an opponent’s turn could capitalize on this dynamic. Imagine the surprise and tactical shift when a hasty 4/4 appears on the board just before your turn begins, ready to swing in without giving your opponent time to prepare.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Henchfiend of Ukor necessitates a discard from your hand to utilize its Hellbent ability. This can be a hindrance when your hand is scarce, restricting your capacity to maintain card advantage and putting you in a tough spot against an opponent with more resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a specific combination of mana types: three generic and a single red. Decks not centered around red mana may find it challenging to fit Henchfiend of Ukor into their mana base, reducing its versatility across various deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana to summon Henchfiend of Ukor, it competes with other four-mana creatures and spells that may offer immediate impact or more significant long-term advantages. This can make it a less appealing option in a deck looking to maximize efficiency and board presence.

Reasons to Include Henchfiend of Ukor in Your Collection

Versatility: Henchfiend of Ukor can adapt to a variety of play styles. As a four-mana cost creature with both haste and firebreathing capabilities, Henchfiend can be a flexible addition to red or black decks needing an aggressive creature that can also serve as a formidable blocker when it’s not your turn.

Combo Potential: The firebreathing ability of Henchfiend of Ukor allows it to synergize with decks that boost the amount of available mana. This can lead to devastating combo plays where Henchfiend can potentially deal a large amount of damage in a single turn, making it a threat your opponents can’t ignore.

Meta-Relevance: With a meta that fluctuates, having a creature that can immediately swing for damage or affect board state is crucial. Henchfiend of Ukor’s duality in terms of offensive and defensive utility gives it relevance in various meta environments, especially when facing decks that are vulnerable to quick, high-powered threats.

How to beat

Henchfiend of Ukor presents a unique challenge for players in the MTG realm. As a creature card with haste and echo, it can deal rapid damage if not addressed swiftly. Neutralizing this card involves strategic planning and timing. Effective methods include countering it before it can make an impact or removing it post-summoning with instant-speed removal spells.

Managing your resources to have answers ready is key. Consider spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push for immediate removal. Another strategy is to stabilize the board with creatures that can block and survive an attack from Henchfiend of Ukor. Ensuring a lineup of creatures with toughness greater than 3 can be a bulwark against its aggression.

Remember, anticipation and preparedness against Henchfiend of Ukor can make it a non-issue. Keep in mind its echo cost as well, as your opponent may choose not to pay, presenting an opportunity for you to regain board control. Consider these strategies, and you’ll mitigate the threats posed by Henchfiend of Ukor, keeping your game on track for victory.

Cards like Henchfiend of Ukor

Henchfiend of Ukor presents a unique blend of aggressive stats and flexible casting options in Magic: The Gathering. This creature parallels firebrand creatures like Rakdos Shred-Freak, which also provides a hasty threat. What makes Henchfiend of Ukor distinct, though, is its Haste and Echo abilities, granting immediate board presence followed by a recurring investment.

In the realm of four-power, two mana creatures, we encounter the likes of Gore-House Chainwalker. While the Chainwalker can unleash to become a significant threat, it lacks the haste factor that gives Henchfiend its unexpected punch. Another similar card, Spark Elemental, delivers a quick burst of damage with haste and trample but it sacrifices itself at the end of turn, contrasting Henchfiend’s potential longevity on the battlefield.

Considering the advantages of swift aggression and tactical board positioning, Henchfiend of Ukor carves a niche in rapid-paced playstyles. While other cards offer bits and pieces of what Henchfiend brings to the table, few provide the same duality of immediate impact and follow-up pressure, positioning it as a strong contender amongst its fiery brethren.

Gore-House Chainwalker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Henchfiend of Ukor by color, type and mana cost

Orcus, Prince of Undeath - MTG Card versions

Blim, Comedic Genius - MTG Card versions

Rakdos, Lord of Riots - MTG Card versions

Wort, Boggart Auntie - MTG Card versions

Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch - MTG Card versions

Falkenrath Aristocrat - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Henchfiend of Ukor MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 Henchfiend of Ukor and other MTG cards: