Hammerhead Shark MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 32
2015-05-06 - Number 52
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Shark |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Hammerhead Shark cannot attack unless defending player controls any islands.
Cross the eyes of a hammerhead and you'll dot its teeth.
Cards like Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead Shark is an intriguing creature card that swims through the blue mana waters of Magic: The Gathering. Its parallels with other aquatic-themed cards like Spiny Starfish highlight its unique advantages and limitations. Unlike the Shark, Spiny Starfish comes with the ability to regenerate, offering a lasting presence in the game, which the Shark lacks. However, Hammerhead Shark comes with the potential for more aggressive play due to its higher attack power.
Another comparable card is Man-o’-War. This creature also shares the oceanic vibe and has the advantage of an enter-the-battlefield effect that can bounce an opponent’s creature back to hand, disrupting their play tempo. The Hammerhead Shark, while lacking this utility, compensates with lower mana requirements for a more stream-lined inclusion in blue-focused decks.
From the perspective of deck synergy and gameplay strategies, Hammerhead Shark may be considered when building a deck that requires a low-cost creature with the capacity to deliver a steady flow of attacks. Though it may not possess the disruptive or defensive qualities of some similar cards, its straightforward aggressive attributes can make it a valuable addition to certain blue decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Hammerhead Shark by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dive into the depths of strategy with the Hammerhead Shark card as it circles the battlefield, keeping your hand brimming with options. This oceanic ally can finagle extra cards into your possession when certain conditions are met, ensuring that your tactical tide stays high during play.
Resource Acceleration: Streamline your mana pool with the sleek efficiency of the Hammerhead Shark. This card can deftly navigate through your deck, unearthing key resources at crucial moments. It’s like a burst of speed through clear waters, pushing you ahead of the competition and accelerating your access to vital spells and abilities.
Instant Speed: With the agility of its real-world counterpart, the Hammerhead Shark card operates at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to react in the blink of an eye. Whether you’re outmaneuvering an opponent’s move or launching a surprise counter of your own, this card’s timely play can turn the tides in your favor, all before your adversary knows what hit them.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Hammerhead Shark card may offer some interesting play, one downside is that to make use of certain abilities, players might be required to discard another card. This trade-off can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options later in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: A potential drawback of this card is the specific mana cost that must be met to cast it. This can sometimes restrict the card’s integration into a broader range of decks, especially those that run on a multi-color strategy and cannot afford a too rigid mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the Hammerhead Shark, it’s important to consider the mana investment. Depending on the variant of the card, its mana cost might be relatively high compared to other creatures with similar stats or effects. This could make the card less appealing, especially in formats where speed and efficiency are paramount.
Reasons to Include Hammerhead Shark in Your Collection
Versatility: Hammerhead Shark may seem niche, but it can be a deceptively flexible addition to any blue-based control or tempo decks. It’s effective for thwarting flying creatures, often seen in various formats, making it a strategic card to have on hand.
Combo Potential: Within the right deck, this agile sea creature can synergize with cards that boost its power or take advantage of its ability to block flying creatures. It can be a useful card in combinations that aim to establish board control and take advantage of evasive creature capabilities.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures dominate, Hammerhead Shark shines as a cost-effective solution to a potential aerial onslaught. Keeping up with the pace of the current meta, this card offers a straightforward solution to a common challenge faced by many MTG players.
How to Beat Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead Shark proves to be a unique creature in the underwater arsenal of blue Magic: The Gathering decks. It often gets overlooked but this card can be a slippery obstacle with its ability to only be blocked by blue creatures. For those facing this aquatic threat, it’s crucial to have a strategy to navigate these waters smoothly.
Firstly, having removal spells in your deck can efficiently deal with the Shark. These spells don’t rely on color matching for blocking and can remove the creature from the board before it deals damage. Additionally, considering spells that can alter the Shark’s color or your creatures’ colors may turn the tide of the battle, allowing you to block or bypass this limitation. Moreover, incidentally, your sideboard should contain board wipes or global effects that can clear multiple threats, including the elusive Hammerhead Shark.
Understanding the dynamics of MTG’s vast card interactions provides a significant advantage. While the Shark may present a unique challenge, well-curated decks have a plethora of answers to ensure that, like many creatures of the deep, it’s more a myth than a menace in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hammerhead Shark MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Tempest 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 Hammerhead Shark 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 Hammerhead Shark Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Stephen Daniele.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 32 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Stephen Daniele | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Stephen Daniele |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hammerhead Shark has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |