Hook Horror MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Horror |
| Abilities | Molting Exoskeleton |
| Released | 2022-07-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | HBG |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 44 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Olivier Bernard |
Text of card
Molting Exoskeleton — When Hook Horror dies, it perpetually gets -1/-1. Then if that card's toughness is 1 or greater, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
Cards like Hook Horror
A dive into the world of menacing creatures in Magic: The Gathering reveals Hook Horror as a creature that stands out for its distinct abilities. Much like the feared Desecration Demon, Hook Horror offers significant combat potential. While Desecration Demon forces its way onto the battlefield by growing more formidable as opponents sacrifice creatures, Hook Horror instead excels in another aspect of the battlefield, weaving its way through opposing ranks with menace, ensuring it can only be blocked by two or more creatures.
Another card worthy of comparison is Blightbeetle, which shares a similar protective niche against counters. Blightbeetle, a proactive answer to +1/+1 counter strategies, remains a staple in decks designed to thwart such tactics. While Hook Horror doesn’t tackle this particular strategy head-on, it serves as an imposing threat that can apply pressure and maneuver through defenses. Additionally, Hook Horror’s stats eclipse those of Blightbeetle, making it a more imposing figure to contend with, albeit at a different mana valuation.
Considering the overall pool of creatures in MTG, each with its own strengths and strategic uses, Hook Horror takes its place as a force on the battlefield, offering a blend of offensive power and elusive menace to control the combat phase of the game.
Cards similar to Hook Horror by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hook Horror enables you to potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy while also tantalizing you with the option to snag one of their creatures, effectively shifting the card balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Through its menacing presence on the battlefield, Hook Horror compels your opponents to sacrifice their treasures, which can slow down their game plan and give you a critical edge in resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: The capacity to flash in Hook Horror at instant speed offers an element of surprise and flexibility, thereby allowing you to optimize the timing of your plays to disrupt the opponent’s tactics or bolster your defensive line when most advantageous.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hook Horror demands that you discard a card upon casting, which can cause a setback if your hand is already depleted or if you’re holding onto key cards for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card comes with a color-intensive mana cost that may not slot easily into multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a sizable mana cost, Hook Horror can be less appealing given that there are other creatures or spells at lower casting costs that provide similar or greater impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Hook Horror in Your Collection
Versatility: Hook Horror is a flexible card that can be easily slotted into various deck archetypes. Its unique abilities allow it to serve as both a formidable blocker and an aggressive attacker, making it a versatile choice for players.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to untap another target creature or artifact you control offers significant combo potential. It can work in sync with cards that have tap abilities to create powerful interactions and continuous on-board advantages.
Meta-Relevance: Given its blend of utility and strength, Hook Horror could very well become a staple in decks designed to thrive in the current competitive scene. Its presence on the field can impact the tempo of the game, making it a relevant choice for contemporary play styles.
How to Beat Hook Horror
Hook Horror emerges as a unique creature within the Magic: The Gathering realm, presenting a blend of power and tactical disruption. As a card that can ensnare and remove an opponent’s creature from combat, it adds a layer of strategy to the battlefield. To adeptly navigate around Hook Horror’s presence, players must employ a considered approach.
One effective tactic is utilizing removal spells that bypass Hook Horror’s ability, such as direct damage or exile effects. Spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently dispatch Hook Horror without triggering its ability, as they don’t involve engaging it in combat. Enchantment-based exile tools like Banishing Light also offer a reliable resolution to the Hook Horror challenge, neutralizing its threat while your creatures remain unfettered and ready to attack.
Adjusting to Hook Horror’s gameplay requires a delicate balance of resource management and timing. By prioritizing removals that elude its hook-laden grasp or deploying creatures that can withstand or evade its entangling clutches, players can maintain control over the match. This careful orchestration ensures that Hook Horror’s intimidating presence becomes but a minor obstacle in the pursuit of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hook Horror MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Hook 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hook Horror has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |