Hunt the Weak MTG Card
2013-07-19 - Number 179
2014-07-18 - Number 179
2015-01-23 - Number 133
2016-09-30 - Number 158
2017-11-17 - Number 167
2018-01-19 - Number 133
2019-11-07 - Number 1240
2020-11-12 - Number 164
2020-09-26 - Number RIX-133
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Fight |
Text of card
Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control. Then that creature fights target creature you don't control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)
He who hesitates is lunch.
Cards like Hunt the Weak
Hunt the Weak stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a compelling choice for creature enhancement and removal. It draws a close comparison with cards like Prey Upon, which offers a more cost-efficient option allowing one creature to fight another without the added benefit of a +1/+1 counter that Hunt the Weak provides. The extra power and toughness granted by Hunt the Weak can be a game-changer, turning the tide by not only removing an opponent’s creature but also strengthening your own.
Rabid Bite takes a slightly different approach, permitting a one-sided fight where your creature deals damage equal to its power to target creature you don’t control, but Hunt the Weak’s ability to boost your creature makes it a dual-threat on the battlefield. While slightly higher in mana cost, Hunt the Weak has the upper hand in long-term strategy by enabling the creature that survives the encounter to become a larger threat in subsequent turns.
By comparing features and usability, it’s evident that Hunt the Weak is a robust selection within Magic: The Gathering’s fight and bolster effects. Its blend of offensive and defensive capabilities makes it a versatile card in many green deck builds focused on creature dominance.
Cards similar to Hunt the Weak by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hunt the Weak provides a two-for-one deal. Once you cast it, not only do you permanently boost one of your creatures by placing a +1/+1 counter on it, but you can also potentially remove an opponent’s creature during the same process. This advantage can shift the board’s balance in your favor, setting you up for future plays.
Resource Acceleration: While Hunt the Weak doesn’t directly produce additional mana or resources, the strategic removal of a threat and strengthening of your own creature can accelerate your game plan. By eliminating blockers or potential threats, you pave the way for your strengthened creatures to attack more freely and can lead to an accelerated victory.
Instant Speed: Although Hunt the Weak operates at sorcery speed, its strategic use mimics instant speed benefits by disrupting your opponent’s plans on your turn. By choosing the timing of its cast wisely, such as before your combat phase, you can effectively catch your opponent off guard, adjust combat math in your favor, and capitalize on the freshly-modified state of the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite not needing a card to be discarded for activation, Hunt the Weak requires a creature on the battlefield to target. This may leave players at a disadvantage if their board is empty or they prefer to keep their creatures for other strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Hunt the Weak comes with a specific mana requirement, needing both green mana and additional generic mana to cast. This can constrict its inclusion to predominantly green decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana, Hunt the Weak is often considered pricy for its effect, when other spells might provide more immediate or impactful creature removal or pump abilities with less mana investment.
Reasons to Include Hunt the Weak in Your Collection
Versatility: Hunt the Weak serves as a solid inclusion in decks that aim to bolster creatures. It offers targeted removal while permanently beefing up your own threat, ideal for mid-game tempo swings.
Combo Potential: This card harmonizes well with strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. Combine it with proliferate mechanics or creatures that grow from counters, and you can develop a formidable presence on the board.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies dictate the pace, Hunt the Weak becomes an invaluable tool. It can disrupt your opponent’s game plan by picking off key creatures and simultaneously empowering your board state, making it relevant in various meta scenarios.
How to beat
Hunt the Weak is a spell that falls under the green spells category of Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to solidify board presence by adding a +1/+1 counter and removing a troublesome creature through fighting. Similar to Prey Upon, this card offers creature elimination but brings an additional boon in strengthening your creature permanently. It is effective but hinges on your creature’s survival to unlock its full potential.
To overcome Hunt the Weak, the strategy should focus on negating the fight mechanic or ensuring your creatures are not suitable targets. This could be achieved by utilizing cards that grant your creatures indestructibility, like Heroic Intervention, or employing instant-speed removal or bounce spells in response, such as Swords to Plowshares or Unsummon, disrupting the spell before it takes effect. Moreover, holding creatures with hexproof, like Invisible Stalker, can dodge becoming targets altogether, nullifying Hunt the Weak’s influence during your opponent’s turn.
Being mindful of these interactions can give you an edge, allowing you to maintain control even when facing creature-targeting spells that aim to tip the scales in your opponent’s favor. Adapting to and anticipating these spells ensures your MTG gameplay remains competitive and resilient in the face of such tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hunt the Weak MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Magic 2015, 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 Hunt the Weak 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
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Printings
The Hunt the Weak Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2020-11-12. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 179 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Raoul Vitale | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 179 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raoul Vitale | |
| 3 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 4 | 2016-09-30 | Kaladesh | KLD | 158 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raoul Vitale | |
| 5 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 6 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 7 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1240 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | |
| 8 | The List | PLST | RIX-133 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mathias Kollros | ||
| 9 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 164 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raoul Vitale |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hunt the Weak has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hunt the Weak card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | If either target is an illegal target as Hunt the Weak resolves, neither creature will deal or be dealt damage. |
| 2018-01-19 | If the creature you control is an illegal target as Hunt the Weak tries to resolve, you won't put a +1/+1 counter on it. If that creature is a legal target but the other creature isn't, you'll still put the counter on the creature you control. |
| 2018-01-19 | You can't cast Hunt the Weak unless you choose both a creature you control and a creature you don't control as targets. |