Hideous End MTG Card
2009-09-04 - Number 31
2009-10-02 - Number 98
2010-03-19 - Number 26
2014-12-05 - Number 52
2016-09-02 - Number 52
2019-11-07 - Number 685
2020-09-26 - Number DDR-52
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Destroy target nonblack creature. Its controller loses 2 life.
"A little dark magic won't stop me. The worse the curse, the better the prize." —Radavi, Joraga relic hunter, last words
Cards like Hideous End
Hideous End finds its niche within Magic: The Gathering as a potent removal spell with a twist. It closely resembles other kill spells like Doom Blade, bypassing color restrictions by targeting nonblack creatures and causing loss of life rather than just creature destruction. Unlike Doom Blade, Hideous End has the added impact on the opponent’s life total, making it a choice for decks focusing on life manipulation and control strategies.
Another card that shares similarities is Go for the Throat, an efficient creature removal tool. At two mana, it destroys a nonartifact creature, offering broader utility in artifact-heavy metas. Despite that, it doesn’t directly affect life points, creating a tactical fork in the road for players choosing between sheer removal or life-based strategies. Murder is also a comparison point; it’s unconditional removal at three mana, offering versatility but lacking the bonus effect on the life total that Hideous End provides.
Weighing in the benefits and situational adaptability, Hideous End holds its ground within the removal spells category. Its dual-functional nature caters to those who want to disrupt the board while also pressuring the opponent’s life, positioning it uniquely against its counterparts.
Cards similar to Hideous End by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hideous End, when resolving, offers the dual benefit of removing an opposing creature while simultaneously causing life loss to its controller, effectively swinging the board and life total in your favor which can be a strategic advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Hideous End doesn’t directly provide mana or resource acceleration, the removal of a potential blocker can inadvertently speed up your own resource development by clearing the path for more aggressive plays or attacks.
Instant Speed: As an instant, Hideous End grants the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn. This allows for surprise tactics, making it more difficult for opponents to safely commit to advantageous plays or to recover quickly from a sudden setback.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Hideous End doesn’t directly demand the discard of a card, not having the discard option restricts strategic flexibility. This could be critical in scenarios where the alteration of hand contents could pivot the game’s outcome.
Specific Mana Cost: Hideous End requires both black and colorless mana, meaning it cannot be cast in a deck that lacks black mana sources. This can be restrictive and requires players to carefully consider their mana base when including cards with specific colored mana demands.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Hideous End priced at three mana, two of which are black, players may find themselves weighing their options against other removal spells that cost less. In a game where tempo can determine the winner, the mana cost of Hideous End might deter players from including it in their decks, especially when faster, more accessible, and flexible removal options are available.
Reasons to Include Hideous End in Your Collection
Versatility: Hideous End proves to be a useful card in a variety of black-inclusive decks. Its ability to destroy target non-black creature while causing its controller to lose 2 life offers a swing in board and life advantage.
Combo Potential: This instant increases the synergy in decks that capitalize on life-loss or death-triggered mechanics. It fits well in strategies involving cards that benefit from creatures dying, such as those with morbid or revolt abilities.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-heavy decks often dominating play, Hideous End serves as an efficient removal tool. Despite the rise of multicolored creatures, the card still holds merit for its capacity to tilt the battlefield in favor of the controller by disrupting the opponent’s board presence.
How to beat
Hideous End is a notable spell when discussing removal options in Magic: The Gathering. It doesn’t just destroy a non-black creature but dents the opponent’s life total as well. This card can disrupt the rhythm of creature-based strategies, giving players a two-fold advantage by clearing the board and edging the life race.
To successfully navigate against Hideous End, consider diversifying your threats. By including creatures that are black or possess hexproof, you make it more challenging for your opponent to find a valid target. Inclusion of instant-speed protection spells or abilities that can counteract removal at crucial junctures is also key. Cards like Blossoming Defense protect your creatures and can negate the impact of spells like Hideous End.
Lastly, be mindful of your life total. With Hideous End, your opponent aims to transition from board control to life pressure. Maintaining a buffer can keep you out of range and afford you the time to outmaneuver this removal tactic. Always remember that the best defense against a card like Hideous End is a well-considered, multi-angled strategy that anticipates and neutralizes your opponent’s plays.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hideous End MTG card by a specific set like Planechase and Zendikar, 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 Hideous End 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 Hideous End Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2009-09-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 8 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-09-04 | Planechase | HOP | 31 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 2 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 98 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 3 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 26 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 4 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. Liliana | GVL | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 5 | 2016-09-02 | Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis | DDR | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 6 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 685 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | DDR-52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hideous End has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hideous End 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 the targeted creature is an illegal target by the time Hideous End resolves, the entire spell doesn’t resolve. No one loses life. |