Hollow Dogs MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 137
1999-07-01 - Number 81
2000-10-01 - Number 28
2001-04-11 - Number 141★
2001-04-11 - Number 141
2005-07-29 - Number 139
2005-07-29 - Number 139★
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Zombie Dog |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever Hollow Dogs attacks, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
A hollow dog is never empty. It is filled with thirst for the hunt.
Cards like Hollow Dogs
Hollow Dogs enters the scene as an intriguing creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It stands alongside other cards like Pack Mastiff, which shares the dog creature type and also the pack mentality, as both cards become more potent when you control multiples. However, Hollow Dogs has the distinctive ability to get stronger when your hand is empty, making it particularly suitable for aggressive, fast-paced decks that tend to play their hands quickly.
Comparatively, Keldon Warlord is an older card that also grows more forceful as you command a larger board presence, specifically based on the number of creatures and not just the empty-handed condition. The Hollow Dogs card provides a different angle, presenting a more modern take for those who play red and thrive on a quick game style. Furthermore, cards like Ghor-Clan Wrecker come into the conversation, with similar mana cost and the riot keyword giving it immediate impact, yet without the repetitive scaling potential that Hollow Dogs offers.
Overall, Hollow Dogs has a unique place in a deck-builder’s toolkit, serving those who want a creature that rewards them for maintaining aggression and tactical hand management within the game.
Cards similar to Hollow Dogs by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hollow Dogs thrives in giving players an edge through card advantage. Revealing it from among the top cards of your library can be a game changer, putting you ahead and ensuring that you have the resources you need to outmaneuver your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: As an added bonus, Hollow Dogs can act as a form of resource acceleration. Once on the battlefield, it can potentially generate additional benefits each time it deals damage, helping you churn out the resources needed to deploy further threats or answers.
Instant Speed: The real power of a card often lies in its ability to act at instant speed. While Hollow Dogs itself may not have this capability, it can be coupled with other cards that do. This allows players to remain flexible, respond to opponents’ actions effectively, and potentially exploit windows of opportunity that slower cards might miss.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Hollow Dogs card demands that players discard another card to activate its key ability. This can lead to a resource deficit, particularly in game stages where each card in hand is crucial for maintaining momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: Hollow Dogs requires a precise combination of mana to cast, which includes black mana. This can be restrictive as it may not seamlessly fit into decks that do not run on a black mana base or multicolor decks that are not focused on black.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher end for its stats and effects, Hollow Dogs may fall behind in value compared to other creatures in the same cost range. Players often seek more impactful plays with their mana, making Hollow Dogs less favorable in competitive settings.
Reasons to Include Hollow Dogs in Your Collection
Versatility: Hollow Dogs slots into a broad spectrum of red decks. It’s particularly useful in those that can exploit its ability to grow stronger when damage is dealt to an opponent. This makes it a threat in both aggro and control settings where dealing damage consistently can be part of the strategy.
Combo Potential: This card harmonizes well with strategies that involve “ping” effects or damage doublers. Due to its scalable nature, the card becomes increasingly threatening with each point of damage dealt, opening up opportunities for explosive turns in the right deck.
Meta-Relevance: Within a metagame that rewards sustained aggression or where players are able to regularly chip away at an opponent’s life total, Hollow Dogs can serve as a formidable and recurring threat. Its relevance can rise in environments where such tactics are prevalent.
How to beat
Hollow Dogs brings a noteworthy twist to creature dynamics within Magic: The Gathering. This fierce canine isn’t just a simple attacker; it also embodies resilience with its signature mechanic. Its ability to spring back from the graveyard when a certain condition is met gives the Hollow Dogs a recurring threat status on the board.
To limit the influence of Hollow Dogs, consider the strategic use of graveyard exile effects. Cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prevent the return of creatures from the graveyard, efficiently neutralizing Hollow Dogs’ revival capability. Furthermore, since Hollow Dogs rely on the discard mechanic, denying your opponent the chance to discard can thwart their strategy. Hand disruption tools like Thoughtseize or Duress can preemptively remove Hollow Dogs from play before they become a recurring nuisance.
Ultimately, tackling Hollow Dogs effectively means disrupting its cycle of reanimation. By targeting its graveyard mechanics and managing its discard conditions, you can maintain control over the battlefield and reduce the impact of this relentless creature. Success in Magic: The Gathering often hinges on anticipation and strategic counterplay, and Hollow Dogs is no exception to this rule.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hollow Dogs MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Starter 1999, 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 Hollow Dogs 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 Hollow Dogs Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 137 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff Miracola | |
| 2 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 81 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jeff Miracola | |
| 3 | 2000-10-01 | Beatdown Box Set | BTD | 28 | 1997 | Normal | White | Jeff Miracola | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 141★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Arnie Swekel | |
| 5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 141 | 1997 | Normal | White | Arnie Swekel | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 139 | 2003 | Normal | White | Jeff Miracola | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 139★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jeff Miracola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hollow Dogs has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hollow Dogs card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If it attacks more than once per turn, it gets the bonus each time. |