Havengul Vampire MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 139
2016-08-26 - Number 164
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Whenever Havengul Vampire deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it. Whenever another creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Havengul Vampire.
"That slowly decreasing pulse—that's the beat I waltz to."
Cards like Havengul Vampire
The Havengul Vampire is a unique creature that thrives in the dynamic world of MTG combat. This card possesses an ability that allows it to gain +1/+1 counters whenever it or another creature dies, making it a growing threat on the battlefield. Comparatively, Bloodthirsty Aerialist operates on a similar mechanic but is triggered by gaining life rather than creature death, offering a different angle for deck synergy.
Another parallel can be drawn with Unspeakable Symbol. While not a creature itself, this enchantment allows you to pay life to place +1/+1 counters on creatures, presenting a more controlled but also resource-intensive way to mimic the Vampire’s growing power. Meanwhile, Yahenni, Undying Partisan offers a free counter whenever any other creature dies and also has the added benefit of gaining indestructibility, perhaps giving it a leg up in terms of survivability compared to our focus card.
In considering these comparisons, Havengul Vampire’s inherent potential to snowball into a formidable force makes it a strong contender in decks geared towards maximizing the impact of creature deaths. Its versatility and threat level can certainly shape the course of a match.
Cards similar to Havengul Vampire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Havengul Vampire offers innate synergistic potential in decks centered around creature play. Each time it engages in combat and defeats an opponent’s creature, or when it exercises its predatory rights on weaker minions, the Vampire not only survives but blooms in power, rewarding you with a more formidable presence on the board. Over the expanse of a match, this incremental increase in strength can equate to a substantial advantage without requiring additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: While the Havengul Vampire itself doesn’t directly ramp your mana resources, its scaling power increases the value of the mana invested in it. As such, the Vampire can expedite your game plan by presenting a rapidly growing threat that demands an answer, effectively taxing your opponent’s resources while you may continue your development unimpeded.
Instant Speed: Although the Havengul Vampire is a creature and does not operate at instant speed, its ability to become more powerful can be tactically timed with other instant-speed interactions at your disposal. Aligning its attacks or blocks with instant-speed removal or combat tricks can result in surprise shifts in board state, deterring opponent strategies and building your advantage under the guise of unpredictability.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks to the Havengul Vampire is the need to discard a card for its activated abilities. This can be a significant disadvantage, particularly in games where maintaining a healthy hand size is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The Havengul Vampire comes with a specific mana cost that includes both black and blue. This can restrict the card’s inclusion to only those decks that run these colors, thus potentially limiting its overall versatility in a broader range of deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to get Havengul Vampire onto the battlefield is somewhat high compared to other creatures in the MTG universe. Especially when considering the competitive environment where lower-cost creatures can provide a quicker presence on the board and may offer similar or better utility and power for the mana invested.
Reasons to Include Havengul Vampire in Your Collection
Versatility: Havengul Vampire’s ability to grow stronger with each creature that dies makes it a flexible addition across various deck types. Its adaptability in creature-heavy decks ensures it becomes a formidable threat over time.
Combo Potential: This vampire excels in synergistic environments, where its power increases with ease. Pairing it with sacrifice effects or cards that benefit from counters can quickly escalate its power, turning it into a key piece within combos.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the creature-centric formats, Havengul Vampire fits well within the current meta. Its menacing presence on the board can change the tide of battle in matches where creatures frequently clash.
How to beat
Havengul Vampire is a dynamic creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering, growing stronger with each creature it knocks down. This undead predator can be quite a challenge but not unbeatable. When facing this vampire, one key strategy is controlling the board. Simple removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can deal with it before it becomes a serious threat. A well-timed Counterspell is also effective to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place.
Another tactic is to prevent it from getting any kills. Deploying creatures with high toughness or those with deathtouch can serve as a deterrent from attacking. If damage-based removal isn’t an option, exile effects or reducing its power to zero with spells like Grasp of Darkness can circumvent the issue seamlessly.
Leveraging board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field and remove the Havengul Vampire regardless of how buff it has become. In a game where momentum is key, managing to neutralize threats like Havengul Vampire swiftly can turn the tides and keep you in the lead.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Havengul Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Havengul Vampire 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 Havengul Vampire Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by James Ryman.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 139 | 2003 | Normal | Black | James Ryman | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 164 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Ryman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Havengul Vampire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |