Hobbling Zombie MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 106
2022-01-28 - Number 106
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Abilities | Deathtouch |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Deathtouch When Hobbling Zombie dies, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token with decayed. (It can't block. When it attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat.)
"I see someone tried to stop you, my pet. How delightful." —Ghoulcaller Gisa
Cards like Hobbling Zombie
Hobbling Zombie stands as a solid creature card, akin to other zombies like Walking Corpse in the vast lineup of Magic: The Gathering. Walking Corpse is a straightforward zombie, offering a no-frills 2/2 body for two mana. However, Hobbling Zombie introduces more strategic options with its death-triggered ability, leaving behind a 2/2 creature and creating a 1/1 creature with deathtouch destroying any creature it damages enough to justify a careful calculation by your opponent during combat.
In a similar sphere is Festering Goblin. It’s not just menacing in appearance but brings a slight edge in utility over Walking Corpse by providing a way to weaken an enemy creature upon its departure from the battlefield. Festering Goblin nudges your strategy, allowing for tactical creature eliminations. Another comparable card is Foulmire Knight. It boasts a coveted 1/1 deathtouch for a single mana, doubling as a cantrip that can draw you a card for an additional cost. It’s a versatile play that can fit various points in the game.
Overall, through the lens of creature utility and board control, Hobbling Zombie makes a name for itself by combining the dread of deathtouch with the stubbornness of the undead. It embodies a middle ground of cost and effect, engaging MTG players in a nuanced tactical skirmish whenever it hits the field.
Cards similar to Hobbling Zombie by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hobbling Zombie presents a twofold advantage; upon entering the battlefield, it can serve as a deterrent against opponents’ smaller creatures and, if destroyed, its death triggers an effect that forces the opponent to discard a card, potentially disrupting their strategy and netting you card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration, the presence of Hobbling Zombie on the battlefield can slow down your opponents’ attacks, buying you time to develop your mana base and cast more impactful spells.
Instant Speed: Although Hobbling Zombie itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its death effect poses an implicit threat that works round the clock. This ensures that any removal or combat decisions made by your opponent must account for the potential loss of a card from their hand, making Hobbling Zombie a persistent influencing factor in the game’s pace.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hobbling Zombie does not have an innate discard requirement, but in a resource-intense game, deploying creatures without additional benefits can strain your hand, prompting a strategic discard.
Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes both black and colorless, the Hobbling Zombie may not fit seamlessly into multicolored decks that are not focused on the black mana pool.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The creature’s cost is split evenly across colored and colorless mana, which can be taxing in early gameplay, and while it offers a moderate battlefield presence, other options might provide greater utility or power for the same investment.
Reasons to Include Hobbling Zombie in Your Collection
Versatility: Hobbling Zombie is a solid addition to various deck types, from zombie tribal to control strategies. Its presence on the board as a blocker with deathtouch can deter more powerful creatures from attacking.
Combo Potential: When Hobbling Zombie is destroyed, it produces a 2/2 black Zombie creature token, synergizing well with strategies that benefit from creature death or token generation.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggro decks are prevalent, Hobbling Zombie can effectively slow down the pace, giving you more time to set up your plays and find answers to your opponent’s threats.
How to beat
Hobbling Zombie presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its deathtouch ability, turning it into a potent blocker that can threaten to eliminate much larger creatures. Neutralizing the Hobbling Zombie effectively requires a thoughtful approach. To start, flying creatures offer an elegant solution as they can soar over the Zombie without engaging in combat. Moreover, cards that can remove creatures without dealing damage, such as Languish or Wrath of God, bypass the deathtouch mechanic completely, providing a clean sweep of the board.
Another strategy involves using spells that exile instead of destroy, like Path to Exile, which neatly sidesteps the zombie’s on-death effects. Enchantment-based removals, such as Pacifism, can effectively neutralize the Zombie, rendering it harmless without triggering any detrimental effects. Tactical spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt can also be employed after blockers are declared against other attacking creatures to ensure a safe removal.
Overall, although Hobbling Zombie can deter aggressive strategies, players have myriad ways to deal with it. Managing to overcome the Hobbling Zombie without significant loss can often pivot the momentum of the game, reflecting the strategic depth and variety inherent in the gameplay of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hobbling Zombie MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Hobbling Zombie 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 Hobbling Zombie Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Josh Hass.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Josh Hass |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hobbling Zombie has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hobbling Zombie card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | Decayed does not create any attacking requirements. You may choose not to attack with a creature that has decayed. |
| 2021-09-24 | Decayed does not grant haste. Creatures with decayed that enter the battlefield during your turn may not attack until your next turn. |
| 2021-09-24 | Decayed represents a static ability and a triggered ability. "Decayed" means "This creature can't block" and "When this creature attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat." |
| 2021-09-24 | Once a creature with decayed attacks, it will be sacrificed at end of combat, even if it no longer has decayed at that time. |