Grappling Hook MTG Card

Grappling Hook enhances creatures with double strike, enabling powerful two-for-one combat scenarios. The card allows precise control of combat by forcing blocks, disrupting opponent strategies. Despite high costs, its unique combat manipulation makes it valuable for tactical plays.

Zendikar (ZEN)
2009-10-02 - Number 203

Commander 2017 (C17)
2017-08-25 - Number 212

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip

Text of card

Equipped creature has double strike. Whenever equipped creature attacks, you may have target creature block it this turn if able. Equip

Part tool, part weapon, part of the kor.

Cards like Grappling Hook

Grappling Hook is a unique equipment card in Magic: The Gathering that offers both the ability to double a creature’s strike and lets you choose how a creature blocks during combat if it’s equipped. Comparing Grappling Hook to Loxodon Warhammer, another equipment card, we can see different benefits. The Warhammer grants trample and lifelink, enhancing a creature’s overall combat potential without altering combat dynamics like Grappling Hook does.

Examining Fireshrieker, a card that also grants double strike at a lower cost, immediately highlights one of Grappling Hook’s special traits – its control over combat. The Fireshrieker falls short in manipulating block choices which is where Grappling Hook excels. On the other hand, Whip of Erebos offers lifelink and an additional use of creatures from the graveyard but lacks the combat control provided by Grappling Hook.

With these comparisons in mind, it becomes evident that while other equipment cards may offer valuable combat enhancements, Grappling Hook remains a standout for its unique combination of double strike and strategic combat manipulation, setting it apart in the pantheon of MTG equipment cards.

Cards similar to Grappling Hook by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Grappling Hook offers the advantage of double strike to the equipped creature, potentially enabling you to remove two of an opponent’s creatures in one combat phase while furthering your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although Grappling Hook doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, it serves as a force multiplier on the battlefield—equipping a creature enhances its damage output, allowing for faster elimination of blocker obstacles and can expedite the closing of a game.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Grappling Hook alters combat dynamics significantly. It allows you to dictate combat engagements by forcing an opponent’s creature to block, which can disrupt your opponent’s resource allocation and strategizing, particularly as the engagement is determined at the onset of your attack phase, leaving less room for opponents to react effectively.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Grappling Hook card doesn’t directly make you discard, but its equip cost might lead to discarding if using other cards to enable its hefty equip requirements. This could become problematic in tight situations where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The Grappling Hook requires a specific investment of four mana which includes two from any source and two generic. This can be a hurdle in mana-tight situations or in decks that are not optimized for such costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four mana to cast and an additional four to equip, Grappling Hook’s cost is significantly high when compared to other equipment cards. Players must carefully consider the balance of investment versus return, as equipping can be mana-intensive, potentially setting back other plays or development of the board.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Grappling Hook card offers a dual utility by both equipping a creature with a substantial power boost and enabling the controller to manipulate combat scenarios, ensuring that your key creatures connect with the right targets.

Combo Potential: When paired with creatures that have on-hit effects, the Grappling Hook maximizes the likelihood of those abilities triggering, paving the way for powerful synergistic plays within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board control and creature advantage are often decisive, the Grappling Hook provides a consistent way to skew combat in your favor, making it a relevant choice in various metagame environments.

How to beat

Grappling Hook is a versatile equipment card in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tide in your opponent’s favor. When equipped, it doubles the odds for the creature to make an impact by granting double strike. Not only that, but it also forces a creature to block if able, which tactically disrupts your carefully laid defenses.

But how can you outmaneuver your opponent’s Grappling Hook strategy? Removal spells are your first line of defense; they can directly target and dismantle the Hook before it clutches onto a creature. Enchantment-based removal like Disenchant or Naturalize are perfect examples of efficient ways to rid the battlefield of this artifact. Another approach is to counteract the Hook’s forced blocking mechanic by using evasive creatures that can’t be blocked or creatures with protection from artifacts, leaving the Hook without a target.

Strategically, it’s also prudent to limit the number of creatures on your side that can be compelled to block, thus minimizing the Hook’s control over the combat phase. By understanding and implementing these counters, you can successfully combat the advantages Grappling Hook might otherwise have and maintain a solid defense in your Magic: The Gathering matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Grappling Hook MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Commander 2017, 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 Grappling Hook and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Grappling Hook Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2017-08-25. Illustrated by Philip Straub.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2009-10-02	Zendikar	ZEN		203	2003	Normal	Black	Philip Straub
2	2017-08-25	Commander 2017	C17		212	2015	Normal	Black	Philip Straub

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Grappling Hook has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2009-10-01	If you choose to have the targeted creature block the creature that was equipped with Grappling Hook, but it isn’t able to do so as blockers are declared (for example, because the attacking creature has flying and the targeted creature doesn’t), the requirement to block does nothing. The targeted creature is free to block whichever creature its controller chooses, or block no creatures at all.
2009-10-01	If you choose to have the targeted creature block, the creature it must block is the one that was equipped by Grappling Hook at the time the ability triggered. It doesn’t matter if Grappling Hook leaves the battlefield or somehow becomes attached to another creature.
2009-10-01	If you control the triggered ability, you decide whether to have the targeted creature block the attacking creature at the time the ability resolves, not at the time blockers are declared.
2009-10-01	Tapped creatures, creatures that can’t block as the result of an effect, creatures with unpaid costs to block (such as those from War Cadence), and creatures that aren’t controlled by the defending player are exempt from effects that would require them to block. Such creatures can be targeted by the ability, but the requirement to block does nothing.