Hobblefiend MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Devil |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 2020-07-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Core Set 2021 |
| Set code | M21 |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 152 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nicholas Gregory |
Text of card
Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.) , Sacrifice another creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on Hobblefiend.
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Cards like Hobblefiend
Hobblefiend is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that finds its niche within the red deck realm. This card shines in its ability to grow stronger through its creature sacrifice feature, making it an aggressive asset on the battlefield. Looking at cards with similar mechanics, we see that Carrion Feeder from the classic sets also thrives by sacrificing other creatures to beef up its stats. Unlike Hobblefiend, Carrion Feeder can’t gain trample, but it has the advantage of being a one-mana creature, allowing for an earlier play.
Act of Treason is another spell that can function in tandem with Hobblefiend. Although not a creature, Act of Treason can temporarily seize control of an opponent’s creature, which can then be sacrificed to empower Hobblefiend. This synergy can turn the tides by not only strengthening your creature but also disrupting your opponent’s board. Further afield is Bloodthrone Vampire, offering a similar sacrifice outlet. Nevertheless, it falls behind Hobblefiend as it lacks the incremental trample ability which is crucial for dealing direct damage to opponents.
In the context of cards with interchangeable functionalities, Hobblefiend stands out with its trample capability and potential for unlimited growth, provided you have the creatures to sacrifice, making it a formidable choice in creature-centric red decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Hobblefiend by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: By providing a continuous outlet for excess creature tokens or creatures that have outlived their usefulness, Hobblefiend can be instrumental in edging out card advantage. Sacing a creature might seem counterproductive, but it paves the way for more strategic plays.
Resource Acceleration: Hobblefiend’s ability to grow with each sacrifice makes it a formidable force, potentially accelerating your win condition as it becomes a larger threat each turn. This incremental growth can turn it into a significant pressure point for your opponent.
Instant Speed: The beauty of Hobblefiend lies in its ability to operate at instant speed. This means you can respond to removal, blocks, or other actions by sacking a creature and buffing Hobblefiend, making it both reactive and unexpectedly strategic during combat phases or at the end of an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hobblefiend necessitates the sacrifice of another creature to activate its ability, which might be costly if your board presence is lacking.
Specific Mana Cost: Hobblefiend’s activation cost is tied exclusively to red mana, potentially making it less flexible in multi-color decks where red mana may not be as readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Hobblefiend itself is not overly expensive, consistently utilizing its ability requires a steady stream of creatures which could make it less efficient compared to other utility creatures in similar mana ranges.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hobblefiend is a creature that seamlessly slots into various red-based decks, offering an accessible sacrifice outlet. This ability is particularly beneficial for strategies revolving around synergies with creatures dying or entering the battlefield.
Combo Potential: Hobblefiend’s innate trample and sacrifice mechanism enable numerous combo opportunities. As you sacrifice a creature, not only does it grow in power, it can also trigger other abilities that activate whenever a creature dies, further advancing your board state.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta flush with small creature strategies or graveyard play, Hobblefiend offers value as both an aggressor and a way to navigate around potential graveyard hate. Its adaptability in dealing with a diverse array of threats makes it a card worth considering for your red-centric decks.
How to beat Hobblefiend
The Hobblefiend card in Magic: The Gathering presents a mutable threat on the battlefield, known for its ability to grow via its creature sacrificing mechanic. When facing Hobblefiend, it’s strategic to inhibit its ability to escalate by controlling the number of creatures your opponent has at their disposal. Cards like Culling the Weak can dismantle the opponent’s creature base, making it difficult for Hobblefiend to increase in power.
Removal spells are also a key tactic to dispatch Hobblefiend before it becomes a more considerable problem. Swift Response or Grasp of Darkness can eliminate Hobblefiend without it getting the chance to use its ability. It’s crucial to be preemptive and not let Hobblefiend become too large a threat that it overwhelms your defenses.
Moreover, leveraging enchantments like Pacifism to lock down Hobblefiend prevents it from attacking or defending, making the creature virtually obsolete. Be vigilant, plan your moves ahead, and Hobblefiend can be effectively neutralized, maintaining control of the game pace and steering towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hobblefiend MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Hobblefiend 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hobblefiend has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |