Hullbreaker Horror MTG Card


Hullbreaker Horror contributes to card advantage by canceling enemy spells while saving your resources. Instant speed play gives Hullbreaker Horror formidable flexibility, key for responsive gameplay strategies. Its restrictive mana cost limits its use, making it a specialty card for blue-centric decks.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Kraken Horror
Abilities Flash
Power 7
Toughness 8

Text of card

Flash This spell can't be countered. Whenever you cast a spell, choose up to one — • Return target spell you don't control to its owner's hand. • Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.


Cards like Hullbreaker Horror

Hullbreaker Horror is an imposing presence in the world of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other creature cards with powerful abilities. One such card is Torrential Gearhulk, which, like Hullbreaker Horror, provides not only a substantial body but also interacts with instants in your graveyard when it enters the battlefield. However, Hullbreaker Horror offers a distinctive capability to return nonland permanents to their owner’s hand whenever you cast an instant or sorcery, amplifying its board control potential.

Another peer in this space is the Archmage Emeritus. It lacks the raw power Hullbreaker Horror exhibits but compensates with consistent card draw triggered by casting or copying an instant or sorcery. Despite the difference in tactics, both cards synergize well with spell-slinging decks. Furthermore, consider Gadwick, the Wizened as a compatriot in blue’s arsenal. Gadwick’s strength lies in the immediate card draw upon casting, scaling with the mana spent, and providing a tap-down mechanism that pairs nicely with Hullbreaker Horror’s disruptive nature.

Comparatively, Hullbreaker Horror shines with its combination of disruption and sheer board presence, becoming a formidable card choice in control and tempo strategies in the current MTG landscape.

Torrential Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Gadwick, the Wizened - MTG Card versions
Torrential Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Archmage Emeritus - MTG Card versions
Gadwick, the Wizened - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hullbreaker Horror by color, type and mana cost

Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Elemental - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Tromokratis - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
Rimefeather Owl - MTG Card versions
Marjhan - MTG Card versions
Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Alhammarret, High Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Nephalia Moondrakes - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Ingester - MTG Card versions
Aethersquall Ancient - MTG Card versions
Gearseeker Serpent - MTG Card versions
Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Elemental - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Tromokratis - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
Rimefeather Owl - MTG Card versions
Marjhan - MTG Card versions
Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Alhammarret, High Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Nephalia Moondrakes - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Ingester - MTG Card versions
Aethersquall Ancient - MTG Card versions
Gearseeker Serpent - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jeskai ControlJeskai Control StandardJeskai ControlStandard Challenge 64 2024-04-21
Azorius ControlAzorius Control PioneerAzorius ControlPioneer Last Chance 2024-03-20
Azorius Lotus FieldAzorius Lotus Field PioneerAzorius Lotus FieldPioneer League 2024-03-28
Esper ReanimatorEsper Reanimator StandardEsper ReanimatorStandard Challenge 32 2024-04-06 (1)
Bant ControlBant Control StandardBant ControlStandard Challenge 32 2024-03-22

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hullbreaker Horror allows you to return spells to your hand, contributing to card advantage by effectively nullifying an opponent’s play while also retaining your own resources.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to bounce an opponent’s nonland permanents back to their hand on casting noncreature spells grants you a tempo advantage and can disrupt your opponent’s resource development.

Instant Speed: Hullbreaker Horror can be played at instant speed, providing flexibility to respond to threats at the most opportune time without foregoing the deployment of other spells during your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To unleash Hullbreaker Horror onto the battlefield, you’ll need to be mindful of your hand, as this leviathan demands exacting strategies that often hinge on maintaining card advantage. Without ample resources, you might find yourself falling behind as you’re unable to optimize its powerful abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: Hullbreaker Horror demands a devotion to blue mana, necessitating a steep triple blue mana cost alongside four colorless mana. This restricts its synergy, tethering it closely to mono-blue or blue-heavy deck builds, thereby limiting its flexibility across the wider deck-building landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at seven mana, Hullbreaker Horror is a considerable investment. Even though its power level is commensurate with its cost, many players might opt for lower-cost creatures or spells that offer quicker impact. This can lead to Hullbreaker Horror sitting in your hand waiting for the perfect moment, while faster-paced games could conclude before it ever makes a splash.


Reasons to Include Hullbreaker Horror in Your Collection

Versatility: Hullbreaker Horror isn’t just a powerhouse in one kind of deck; it shines across multiple archetypes. This makes it an asset in control decks craving a resilient finisher and combo decks looking for a game-changer.

Combo Potential: This card has the unique ability to return spells to your hand, opening up opportunities for infinite loops when paired with the right cards. Whether it’s bouncing your own low-cost spells for repeated casts or disrupting your opponent’s field, the combo potential is vast.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments dominated by spells, Hullbreaker Horror slots in as a formidable response. Its presence can deter opponents from casting noncreature spells, altering their game plan and providing you with a significant strategic advantage.


How to beat Hullbreaker Horror

Dismantling the threat of Hullbreaker Horror in your MTG games requires a strategy that circumvents its potent abilities. This formidable card can overturn the tides of a match with its innate power to return spells to an opponent’s hand and dodge removal through its built-in protection from being countered. To counteract Hullbreaker Horror’s influence, players must focus on non-spell-based removal options, as traditional spells will simply be bounced back by its return spell ability.

One effective strategy is to incorporate creatures that can force Hullbreaker Horror off the board upon entering the battlefield. Cards with effects that exile or destroy creatures without targeting, such as the “Enter the Battlefield” abilities found in certain white or black creatures, slip past the Horror’s defenses. Another option is to control the game tempo by suppressing your opponent’s available mana, restricting their ability to play Hullbreaker Horror in the first place, which is particularly impactful considering its seven-mana casting cost.

In summary, to effectively neutralize Hullbreaker Horror, players need to cleverly navigate around its abilities, either by deploying non-spell-based removals or preventing its summoning through mana denial. Success hinges on anticipating its arrival and ensuring your battlefield is primed with the right defensive measures.


BurnMana Recommendations

Tapping into the full potential of Hullbreaker Horror can elevate your MTG gameplay significantly. This card’s intricate dynamics offer both challenges and opportunities, making it a tantalizing addition for those who strategize with a deep understanding of tempo and resource management. The nuances of playing and countering this monstrosity ensure each match is both a mind game and a showcase of skill. Whether you’re intrigued by its disruptive capacity or seeking ways to outmaneuver it, deepen your knowledge and diversify your approach with us. Step into a realm of strategic advancement and let Hullbreaker Horror be the tide that lifts your deck to new horizons.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hullbreaker Horror MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Hullbreaker Horror and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Hullbreaker Horror Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 952992015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 3592015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 632015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
42022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 3302015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
52022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7242015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
62023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 952015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
72024-03-08FalloutPIP 8722015NormalBlackTomas Duchek
82024-03-08FalloutPIP 3442015NormalBlackTomas Duchek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hullbreaker Horror has restrictions

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

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.