Tenacious Hunter MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Crocodile |
| Released | 2017-07-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Hour of Devastation |
| Set code | HOU |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 136 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Zezhou Chen |
Key Takeaways
- Provides continuous card advantage when dealing damage, enhancing your strategic depth during gameplay.
- Indirectly increases resource efficiency, subtly strengthening your position without direct mana production.
- Compatible with instant-speed spells, allowing for a versatile, vigilant presence on the battlefield.
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.
Text of card
As long as a creature has a -1/-1 counter on it, Tenacious Hunter has vigilance and deathtouch.
The crocodiles of the Broken Lands, long used to feeding on undead flesh, eagerly flooded into Naktamun for a taste of something fresher.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Tenacious Hunter shines in scenarios where you’re vying for supremacy on board. Thanks to its ability to turn any damage into an additional card draw, this creature isn’t just a threat – it’s a relentless card advantage engine. Engage in battle, and watch your hand swell with options as you steadily outpace your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Efficient mana utilization is a pivot for victory, and this creature excudes efficiency. Though it may not directly generate mana or tokens, its sheer presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from trading resources. This indirect resource acceleration bolsters your capacity to deploy other strategies uninterrupted, effectively accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: While the Tenacious Hunter itself isn’t an instant, it harmonizes beautifully with spells of that speed. Its vigilance means it’s always ready to attack or defend, pairing perfectly with your instant-speed removal or combat tricks. Maintain pressure on your opponent without sacrificing the safety of your board state, a subtle yet potent synergy that quietly tips the scales in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Tenacious Hunter can be a formidable presence on the battlefield, it does require discarding another creature card to fully utilize its potential. This can be a significant drawback in games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast Tenacious Hunter, players need a specific combination of green mana, which restricts deck-building options. This can hamper the card’s flexibility, as it is not a viable option for all types of decks, especially those that do not focus on green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana to summon, Tenacious Hunter’s cost is on the higher side when compared to other creatures with similar stats or abilities. The mana investment required for this creature may slow down your game plan, especially in fast-paced matches where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Tenacious Hunter in Your Collection
Versatility: Tenacious Hunter thrives in creature-focused decks and even within those that capitalize on -1/-1 counter synergies. Its static ability to gain deathtouch against weakened creatures makes it a formidable defender and an aggressive threat on the board.
Combo Potential: With the right support, this creature’s vigilance and potential deathtouch become powerful tools. Imagine pairing it with cards that distribute -1/-1 counters, transforming it into an ever-vigilant guardian that can eliminate enemies with ease while attacking each turn without tapping.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creatures are key, the Tenacious Hunter can be incredibly impactful. If the current meta revolves around creature-based strategies or has creatures that commonly carry -1/-1 counters, having a Tenacious Hunter at your disposal gives you a solid edge in those matchups.
How to Beat Tenacious Hunter
Tenacious Hunter may seem daunting with its potential to be an ever-lurking threat on the battlefield. This card shines in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters, making it a steadfast creature capable of dealing significant damage while being nearly impervious to spells that would usually take down creatures without vigilance or hexproof.
To effectively topple this persistent predator, consider incorporating removal spells that circumvent its protective measures. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board regardless of the Hunter’s beefed-up state or abilities. Alternatively, exile-based removal like Path to Exile clears a path through its defenses, ignoring abilities that require a counter to be effective.
Favor strategies that either minimize the impact of creatures or switch the focus entirely. Engage the Hunter with counter play, such as bypassing it with flying creatures or overwhelming it with token generation. Stalling its attacks with enchantments like Pacifism or catching it in a web of politics and trading in multiplayer formats can prove to be just as effective. With a precise, informed strategy, Tenacious Hunter becomes less intimidating and more manageable.
Cards like Tenacious Hunter
Tenacious Hunter is an underappreciated gem for creature-focused decks in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a certain resemblance to other four-mana creatures such as Ripjaw Raptor, notably for their respective abilities that generate card advantage or board presence when dealing damage. Tenacious Hunter stands out with its potential for indefinite combat viability due to its indestructible nature when it has a -1/-1 counter, making it a persistent threat.
Comparing it further, we see similarities with Bristling Hydra, which shares the aspect of energy counters and provides a means to grow stronger or evade removal. However, Bristling Hydra is more defensive due to its hexproof ability, while Tenacious Hunter is more offensive, granting clear benefits when on the attack. Another creature in this category is the popular Questing Beast, a staple in green decks for its plethora of abilities. While Questing Beast carries more immediate board impact, Tenacious Hunter excels in long-term resilience and combat strength.
Despite being less renowned, Tenacious Hunter holds its ground when analyzed against these alternatives. Its niche role in exerting board control and its durable nature allow it to be a considerable threat in certain MTG builds.
Cards similar to Tenacious Hunter by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tenacious Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation, 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 Tenacious Hunter and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Tenacious Hunter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tenacious Hunter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | A creature with a -1/-1 counter on it controlled by any player satisfies Tenacious Hunter’s ability. |
| 2017-07-14 | If Tenacious Hunter loses vigilance after attacking, it will remain untapped. |
