Hidden Horror MTG Card
1997-06-09 - Number 72
1998-06-24 - Number 75
1999-04-21 - Number 137
2007-07-13 - Number 149
2011-11-18 - Number 2
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Horror |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When Hidden Horror comes into play, choose and discard a creature card or bury Hidden Horror.
Lifespans are measured by its dreadful length.
Cards like Hidden Horror
Within the realm of creature spells in MTG, Hidden Horror demands a spot in any discussion about efficient creature deployment. When observed alongside the mechanics of Phyrexian Rager, it becomes evident that both encourage a loss of resources for a gain in board presence. Hidden Horror, however, requires a card from the hand to be discarded in exchange for a potent 4/4 body early in the game. Phyrexian Rager, by contrast, deals a blow to life points while replenishing the player’s hand.
Another creature of note is Putrid Imp. This card shares the trait of discarding a card for a strategic advantage, specifically to achieve threshold and become a 2/2 flier. Unlike Hidden Horror’s upfront discard cost, Putrid Imp provides flexibility, allowing players to choose the timing of their discard. Then there’s Eater of Days, a colossal creature that mirrors Hidden Horror’s theme of early-game power at a price. With Eater of Days, the drawback is skipping turns, a considerably steeper cost compared to Hidden Horror’s single-card discard.
To summarize, Hidden Horror fits snugly into the category of creatures that have drawbacks which savvy players can turn into strengths, leveraging early power spikes to outpace opponents.
Cards similar to Hidden Horror by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Hidden Horror. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Reanimator | Legacy | $5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hidden Horror presents an opportunity for card advantage by enabling you to discard another creature card, potentially setting up graveyard strategies while putting a sizeable creature in play.
Resource Acceleration: While Hidden Horror itself doesn’t accelerate resources directly, it synergizes well with reanimation or recursion strategies. By discarding a high-mana-cost creature, you can accelerate your game plan and cheat big creatures onto the battlefield earlier than normal.
Instant Speed: Though Hidden Horror is not an instant, casting it strategically can still put you at an advantage. Its use encourages thoughtful play and deck construction to maximize its potential efficacy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside to Hidden Horror is the necessity to discard a creature card when you cast it. This can be particularly detrimental when your hand is scarce of creatures or when every creature in hand is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck construction can be trickier when you’re confined by Hidden Horror’s strict mana requirements. It demands both black mana and general mana, potentially limiting deck versatility or the speed at which you can play it.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana with two being black, there are alternatives in the MTG landscape that might provide more impact or flexibility for the same or less investment, making Hidden Horror a less appealing choice in environments where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Hidden Horror in Your Collection
Versatility: Hidden Horror offers a unique advantage in decks that manipulate the graveyard. As a creature with the ability to dispose of other creatures from your hand, it has a natural place in reanimator or discard-focused strategies.
Combo Potential: This card shines in orchestrating combos, especially when it’s used to discard high-powered creatures you intend to resurrect. It’s an enabler for potent plays that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard strategies are prevalent or in matchups against control decks, Hidden Horror’s cost-effective stats and self-discard ability become increasingly valuable, setting up for game-winning turns in the later stages of the match.
How to beat
Hidden Horror is a unique creature card in MTG that allows a player to cast it for a reduced cost at the expense of discarding another creature card from their hand. This card sets a trap that can quickly escalate if not tackled early, as it allows your opponent to leverage a 4/4 creature very early in the game. To counteract this, it’s essential to have removal strategies in place.
Some tactical approaches include using instant-speed removal spells that can target and eliminate Hidden Horror before your opponent gets a chance to benefit from its presence on the battlefield. Relying on cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be effective in dealing with this threat swiftly. Additionally, grave hate cards that exile creatures from the graveyard prevent your opponent from retrieving what they have discarded, undermining the advantage they sought to gain.
Timing is critical when dealing with Hidden Horror. Being proactive with removal or disrupting your opponent’s graveyard can transform their shortcut to power into a liability, thus neutralizing the danger and maintaining control of the game’s pace.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hidden Horror MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight and Portal Second Age, 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 Hidden Horror 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 Hidden Horror Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-06-09 and 2011-11-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-06-09 | Weatherlight | WTH | 72 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Clint Langley | |
| 2 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 75 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brom | |
| 3 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 137 | 1997 | Normal | White | Clint Langley | |
| 4 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 149 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brom | |
| 5 | 2011-11-18 | Premium Deck Series: Graveborn | PD3 | 2 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brom |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hidden Horror has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hidden Horror card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-04-01 | If the creature is no longer on the battlefield when the ability resolves, you may still perform the action if you want. |
| 2008-04-01 | When the ability resolves, you choose whether to sacrifice the creature or perform the other action. If you can’t perform the other action, then you must sacrifice the creature. |