Gloomhunter MTG Card

Kicker cost of Gloomhunter creates card advantage by effectively doubling creature presence on the board. Flying and lifelink abilities provide both offensive capabilities and instant speed defensive counters. Mana specificity and kicker discard requirement can influence deck construction and play strategy.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Bat
Abilities	Flying
Released	2010-04-23
Set symbol
Set name	Rise of the Eldrazi
Set code	ROE
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	111
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Lars Grant-West

Text of card

Flying

Scavengers both mundane and magical follow in its wake, feeding on the scraps of flesh and spirit it leaves behind.

Cards like Gloomhunter

Within the diverse array of creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Gloomhunter has its niche as a formidable flying life-linker. Many compare it to Vampire Nighthawk, a card that shares the flying and lifelink attributes but stands superior with an additional deathtouch ability. However, Gloomhunter offers flexibility with its kicker cost, granting it the potential for a larger impact if the game progresses.

Another card that often comes into discussion is Serrated Scorpion, a creature with a smaller mana investment and a guaranteed life swing upon death. While it doesn’t have flying, the guaranteed effect upon dying can be advantageous in certain decks. Moreover, Aerial Responder warrants a mention. This card, bearing vigilance along with flying and lifelink, is a solid comparison to Gloomhunter, providing consistent pressure on both offense and defense without the need for additional mana investment.

Assessing these options, Gloomhunter positions itself well within the collection of lifelink creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Players often weigh the cost-efficiency and adaptability offered by cards like Gloomhunter when considering their deck strategies, especially in formats that favor longer, more drawn-out matches.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Gloomhunter offers a unique edge thanks to its kicker ability. When played with its kicker cost, it places two creatures on the board for the price of one card, essentially doubling your creature presence and potential threats.

Resource Acceleration: As a flying creature, Gloomhunter can quickly become an offensive asset. While it doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its consistent damage output can pressure opponents, indirectly influencing resource management by dictating the tempo of the game.

Instant Speed: Flying combined with lifelink makes Gloomhunter an excellent blocker at instant speed. Its arrival on the battlefield when opponents least expect it can not only thwart an attack but also provide a life buffer, demonstrating a form of resourceful defense that can turn the tides in nuanced play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gloomhunter’s kicker ability provides an advantage, but it does come with the extra requirement of having to discard a card. This can deplete your hand, leaving you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re already low on cards and need to maintain a presence on the board.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a specific combination of mana to cast efficiently—black mana. This means that Gloomhunter is better suited to mono-black or two-color decks with a significant black presence, potentially limiting its use in more diverse mana-base decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a base mana cost that is somewhat high for the stats it offers, Gloomhunter can be less cost-effective compared to other creatures within the same mana range. When considering the added kicker cost for its flying and lifelink abilities, it becomes a substantial investment, which might not always align with an optimal mana curve in aggressive or tightly constructed decks.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Gloomhunter offers a multifaceted role in many deck builds. As a flyer with lifelink, it can be a consistent source of both offense and defense, supplementing your life total while chipping away at your opponent’s.

Combo Potential: Its lifelink ability pairs well with cards that capitalize on life gain, acting as a cog in potent lifegain-based strategies. Coupled with cards that benefit from creatures flying or from gaining life, Gloomhunter can be a key part of a synergistic deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small creatures dominate and larger threats are scarce, Gloomhunter’s presence can be a game-changer. It’s able to bypass ground-based blockers and can have pivotal interactions with popular decks that rely on incremental life advantages.

How to Beat Gloomhunter

Gloomhunter presents a unique challenge with its flying ability and potential to be a recurrent nuisance due to its kicker ability that grants it a +1/+1 counter. To effectively counter this creature, a good strategy is to ensure your deck has reliable removal options. Creatures with reach or spells that can target flying creatures will be particularly useful in keeping Gloomhunter at bay.

Utilizing instant-speed removal like Doom Blade or casting spells that can lower its toughness to zero, such as Grasp of Darkness, will help manage Gloomhunter before it has the opportunity to become a larger threat. Moreover, having blockers with flying or reach, for example Spidery Grasp, can provide a defensive approach, deterring attacks and potentially leading to advantageous trades.

Lastly, prevention is always an excellent strategy in MTG. Cards that restrict the opponent from casting spells with kicker or additional costs can be effective in stopping Gloomhunter from entering the battlefield with the added counters that make it a larger threat. This proactive control over your opponent’s creatures will keep you one step ahead and secure your path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gloomhunter MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi, 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 Gloomhunter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gloomhunter has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal