Hulking Raptor MTG Card


Hulking Raptor provides card advantage and battlefield presence, enhancing player hand strength and threat level. Its ability for mana acceleration and instant speed play makes it a formidable choice in various gameplay situations. While potent, its specific mana needs and discard requirement may limit its use in some MTG deck strategies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Ward
Power 5
Toughness 3

Text of card

Ward At the beginning of your precombat main phase, add .


Cards like Hulking Raptor

Hulking Raptor finds its niche among the robust creatures in the realm of MTG, sharing the battlefield with others like Charging Monstrosaur. Both bring significant power to the table, yet the Raptor has the advantage of costing less mana, giving players a quicker offensive option. Monstrosaur, while hitting harder, comes into play later due to its higher mana value.

Comparable to the Raptor’s imprint in creature decks is Ripjaw Raptor. Each embodies the raw strength of dinosaur cards. Where Hulking Raptor offers a potent force early on, Ripjaw Raptor takes this a step further by adding card draw to your arsenal whenever it takes damage. The draw ability makes Ripjaw an appealing choice for maintaining card advantage while exerting pressure.

Assessing these creatures, Hulking Raptor is well-positioned in decks seeking early-game pressure. Its lower mana requirement contrasts with the potentially game-shifting abilities of other dinosaur cards, revealing its value in fast-paced, aggressive strategies within the ever-evolving MTG landscape.

Charging Monstrosaur - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Charging Monstrosaur - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions

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War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
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Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Hulking Raptor. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Naya DinosaursNaya Dinosaurs StandardNaya DinosaursStandard Preliminary 2024-05-06
Golgari Fight RiggingGolgari Fight Rigging StandardGolgari Fight RiggingStandard Challenge 32 2024-05-18 (1)
Gruul DinosaursGruul Dinosaurs StandardGruul DinosaursTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 4, 2024
Gruul RampGruul Ramp PioneerGruul RampPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-15
BGBG ModernModern Challenge 32 2024-03-11
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro StandardGruul DinosaursJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
DecklistDecklist Free formTorino Tournament - Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Naya AggroNaya Aggro StandardNaya Fight RiggingJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Abzan AggroAbzan Aggro StandardGruul DinosaursDEN24 Sun 10:00 - Standard $5k Open 8-slot RCQ
Naya MidrangeNaya Midrange Modern3 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Hulking Raptor brings more than intimidating power to the table, it’s strength in augmenting your hand cannot be ignored. Should this creature connect with your opponent, its effect can provide additional creatures to your hand. This inherent card advantage ensures you maintain a steady stream of threats, solidifying your position on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Hulking Raptor’s presence demands attention, and its impact can be felt beyond mere combat damage. Its ability to grant additional mana when it attacks can accelerate your resources, thrusting you ahead in the race to deploy high-impact spells. This acceleration is not only crucial for overwhelming opponents but also for outpacing their strategies, providing a pivotal edge in any match.

Instant Speed: Its versatility is further compounded by its capacity to act at instant speed. This allows you to adapt fluidly to the ebb and flow of the game, making critical decisions that can alter the course of the match in an instant. With the ability to respond rapidly to your opponent’s actions, Hulking Raptor ensures that your strategy remains one step ahead, keeping opponents on their toes and pressure constant.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Hulking Raptor necessitates discarding another card upon casting. For MTG players who are managing smaller hands or crucial cards for their strategy, this can diminish their playable options and leverage during the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Hulking Raptor comes with a specific mana alignment requirement which could potentially restrict its integration into a varied deck. This makes the card less adaptable and might not fit seamlessly into decks that are not heavily focused on the required mana type.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the resources required for bringing Hulking Raptor into play, the cost is substantial. Competing creatures or spells available might offer similar or greater advantages at a lower mana investment, leading players to favor those over the Raptor in deck building.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hulking Raptor fits smoothly into a variety of deck archetypes that appreciate big, cost-efficient creatures. Its sizable presence on the battlefield makes it a robust addition to both aggressive and midrange decks.

Combo Potential: This card’s solid stats make it an excellent enabler for combos, particularly in strategies that capitalize on high-power creatures to trigger various on-board effects or evolve mechanics, enhancing your deck’s synergy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape where creature combat is pivotal, Hulking Raptor provides a formidable obstacle for opponents. It’s perfectly suited for battling against prevalent aggro decks while also holding its own in the face of control strategies, making it a relevant choice for tuning your deck to the current meta.


How to beat

The Hulking Raptor is a powerhouse in the battlefield, striking awe in the hearts of MTG players with its sheer size and combat prowess. This formidable card, reminiscent of creatures like Carnage Tyrant, presents a challenge with its blend of trample and hefty power. To successfully navigate against such a threat, one must employ strategic removal spells, keeping in mind the capacity for countermeasures.

Utility spells like Path to Exile or Terminate come into sharp focus here, offering swift and uncontestable answers to the Raptor’s dominance. In addition, control decks might lean on counterspells prior to the Raptor hitting the play, whereas a more tempo-driven approach could involve bounce spells to reset the board and buy crucial time.

Another angle to consider in overcoming the Hulking Raptor is minimizing its impact through de-buff enchantments or abilities that nullify its trample, thereby reducing the threat level. When it comes down to it, overcoming such a dino might demand a combination of sharp timing, precise spell choice, and a solid read on the evolving game state to claim victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

As a relentless force in MTG, Hulking Raptor carves its niche among mighty creatures, offering card advantage, resource acceleration, and the flexibility of instant speed actions. Its demand on your mana pool and hand, though a drawback, is often a worthy trade-off for its battlefield prowess. Take your MTG gameplay to soaring heights by incorporating Hulking Raptor into your decks. Tailored for aggressive and midrange strategies, it shores up your offense while efficiently outpacing control decks. Ready to make your presence known in each duel? Visit BurnMana to deepen your strategic insights and harness the full potential of Hulking Raptor in your quest for dominance.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hulking Raptor MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Hulking Raptor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hulking Raptor Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 3272015NormalBorderlessSidharth Chaturvedi
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of IxalanLCI 1912015NormalBlackNestor Ossandon Leal

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hulking Raptor has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal