Hell Mongrel MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 88
2021-08-26 - Number 339
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Nightmare Dog |
| Abilities | Madness |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Discard a card: Hell Mongrel gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Madness (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)
It feeds on shadows, fear, and blood.
Cards like Hell Mongrel
Hell Mongrel makes a distinct mark in the array of discard-effect creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its likeness can be drawn to creatures such as Wild Mongrel, with both allowing players to discard a card to increase the creature’s power until end of turn. However, Hell Mongrel offers something different with its nightbound characteristic, linking its power boost effect to the day-night progression within the game.
Looking at other creatures, we find Aquamoeba, which also permits discarding a card to modify its power and toughness, albeit with a less aggressive power curve and without the day-night dynamic. And then there’s Noose Constrictor, a card that shares the discard ability for an immediate power-up and the added benefit of reach, giving it a leg up against flying creatures.
Ultimately, Hell Mongrel stands out in its flexibility and synergy with nightbound mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique interplay with the shifting day-night cycle provides an added layer of strategy, securing its place among the potent options for players leveraging discard-centric decks.
Cards similar to Hell Mongrel by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Hell Mongrel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Golgari Midrange | Pauper | Ogonyok |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Playing Hell Mongrel can offer a strategic edge by allowing you to discard a card to then draw another, facilitating a refreshing of your hand and the possibility to access better options during crucial moments in the match.
Resource Acceleration: Hell Mongrel’s discard ability can be a boon when used with other cards that benefit from cards entering the graveyard, potentially accelerating your resource gain by unlocking synergies with graveyard mechanics.
Instant Speed: Hell Mongrel’s ability to transform at instant speed provides the flexibility to adapt to the state of the game dynamically, surprising opponents and providing advantages at critical junctures.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hell Mongrel necessitates the discard of a card to activate its ability. This may deplete your hand, leaving you at a disadvantage, particularly in the late game when each card’s value is at its peak.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes black mana, Hell Mongrel may not fit seamlessly into multicolored decks that prioritize other colors, potentially restricting its versatility across various strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that requires additional investment to enhance its power, Hell Mongrel’s mana cost is on the higher end. There are alternative creatures available that provide more immediate impact on the game without additional conditions.
Reasons to Include Hell Mongrel in Your Collection
Versatility: Hell Mongrel can slide into an array of deck builds, especially those that capitalize on graveyard strategies or require a reliable discard outlet.
Combo Potential: Its ability to discard a card to gain power pairs well with mechanics like Madness or synergizes with strategies that benefit from cycling cards through the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: Given an environment heavy with graveyard interaction, Hell Mongrel can become a significant asset, disrupting opponents’ plans while fueling your own strategy.
How to beat
Hell Mongrel is a card that presents players with a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering, specifically within the environment it operates. It has an ability that could potentially turn the tide of a game by affecting card advantage and providing an unexpected power boost. Nevertheless, like any card on the battlefield, it has its vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
To effectively combat Hell Mongrel, consider using spot removal spells that can directly target and destroy creatures regardless of their size – cards like Swords to Plowshares or Doom Blade are traditional examples. Another strategy is to employ graveyard disruption tools. Since Hell Mongrel benefits from discarding cards, introducing cards that exile cards from the graveyard, like Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze, can diminish its impact. Additionally, preventing it from dealing damage through enchantments like Pacifism or using bounce spells to return it to the owner’s hand can offer a temporary reprieve, stalling your opponent’s plans.
Ultimately, while Hell Mongrel can be an intimidating threat, with the right tactics and timely responses, you can maintain control over the board and counteract the advantages this card may bring to your opponent.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hell Mongrel MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Hell Mongrel 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
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Printings
The Hell Mongrel Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Robbie Trevino.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 88 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Robbie Trevino | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 339 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Robbie Trevino |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hell Mongrel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hell Mongrel card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-06-18 | A card with madness that's discarded counts as having been discarded even though it's put into exile rather than a graveyard. If it was discarded to pay a cost, that cost is still paid. Abilities that trigger when a card is discarded will still trigger. |
| 2021-06-18 | A spell cast for its madness cost is put onto the stack like any other spell. It can be countered, copied, and so on. As it resolves, it's put onto the battlefield if it's a permanent card or into its owner's graveyard if it's an instant or sorcery card. |
| 2021-06-18 | Cards are discarded in a Magic game only from a player's hand. Effects that put cards into a player's graveyard from anywhere else do not cause those cards to be discarded. |
| 2021-06-18 | Casting a spell with madness ignores the timing rules based on the card's card type. For example, you can cast a sorcery with madness if you discard it during an opponent's turn. |
| 2021-06-18 | If you choose not to cast a card with madness when the madness triggered ability resolves, it's put into your graveyard. Madness doesn't give you another chance to cast it later. |
| 2021-06-18 | If you discard a card with madness to pay the cost of a spell or activated ability, that card's madness triggered ability (and the spell that card becomes, if you choose to cast it) will resolve before the spell or ability the discard paid for. |
| 2021-06-18 | If you discard a card with madness while a spell or ability is resolving, it moves immediately to exile. Continue resolving that spell or ability, noting that the card you discarded is not in your graveyard at this time. Its madness triggered ability will be placed onto the stack once that spell or ability has completely resolved. |
| 2021-06-18 | Madness works independently of why you're discarding the card. You could discard it to pay a cost, because a spell or ability tells you to, or because you have too many cards in your hand during your cleanup step. You can't discard a card with madness just because you want to, though. |
| 2021-06-18 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a madness cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined by only its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast that spell was. |