Hunted Nightmare MTG Card
2020-04-24 - Number 322
2020-04-24 - Number 92s
2020-04-24 - Number 92p
2020-04-24 - Number 92
2002-06-24 - Number 80875
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Nightmare |
| Abilities | Menace |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Menace When Hunted Nightmare enters the battlefield, target opponent puts a deathtouch counter on a creature they control.
Cards like Hunted Nightmare
Hunted Nightmare is an intriguing creature card that stands out in Magic: The Gathering’s extensive repertoire. Its closest analog is perhaps Ghor-Clan Rampager, which also offers a sizable body for a lower mana cost. However, Hunted Nightmare provides a consistent three black mana 4/5 creature with menace, assuring a formidable presence on the battlefield that’s hard to block.
Another card worth mentioning is Phyrexian Obliterator, a feared entity among MTG enthusiasts. While the Obliterator boasts a sturdier build with its 5/5 frame, the Nightmare edges it out in terms of casting cost, demanding one less mana. In contrast, the Nightmare imposes a clear downside, giving an opponent’s creature a deathtouch counter, which can turn tables in combat scenarios. This is a risk the Obliterator doesn’t share.
The comparison between these cards highlights Hunted Nightmare’s potential impact in games, particularly when an agile, potent attacker is essential. Despite the inherent drawback, the Nightmare’s aggressive stats and immediate board influence often make it a worthy contender in decks that aim to dominate the field early on.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Hunted Nightmare. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Orzhov Midrange | Legacy | MO82#CS |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hunted Nightmare enables you to create significant creature pressure, effortlessly synergizing with strategies that capitalize on robust board presence. While it doesn’t draw cards, its potential to rapidly shift the game dynamics can surpass standard card draws.
Resource Acceleration: With a cost-effective mana valuation, deploying a 4/5 Menace creature for only three mana accelerates your resources towards more formidable board states, allowing you to allocate mana for other pivotal moves sooner.
Instant Speed: Although not castable at instant speed, Hunted Nightmare’s quick impact on the game through Menace presents an immediate challenge for your opponent, demanding an answers in a fashion similar to the pressure instant speed plays can generate.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside of this particular card is that it gives an opponent a Deathtouch counter, which can be seen as a form of discarding an asset, particularly if it strengthens an opposing creature significantly.
Specific Mana Cost: The requirement of three black mana to cast this card may restrict its utility to more monochromatic decks, posing a potential hurdle in deck-building for a more varied or multicolor strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While offering considerable power and toughness, the cost to put this card into play is significant. Other creatures or spells with lower costs may provide a quicker or more synergistic option for your strategy.
Reasons to Include Hunted Nightmare in Your Collection
Versatility: Although Hunted Nightmare is predominantly used in mono-black or black-based decks, it offers a powerful presence for any strategy that capitalizes on aggressive starts. Its significant power for a minimal cost allows for early game dominance and pressure on opponents.
Combo Potential: With Hunted Nightmare, you can introduce a hefty creature to the board that can work well within sacrifice decks, or it can synergize with cards that feed off giving opponents tokens, aligning with strategies that exploit enemy weaknesses.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where fewer creatures with deathtouch are used, Hunted Nightmare becomes a less risky addition. Its low mana cost and high power can swing games in your favor against slower, less creature-focused decks, making it a timely play in such metas.
How to beat
Hunted Nightmare brings a formidable presence to the battlefield in MTG. This aggressive creature is well-suited for the monoblack archetype, offering considerable power for its mana cost. Notably, the card grants an opponent’s creature a deathtouch counter, which can be a double-edged sword. This built-in drawback could pose a challenge for the unprepared, thus requiring strategic play to navigate successfully.
To counteract this menacing force, consider using removal spells that can target Hunted Nightmare before the deathtouch becomes a significant threat. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or single-target spells like Path to Exile are excellent tools for maintaining control. Moreover, Hunted Nightmare favors matchups with fewer creatures, so increasing your creature count can dilute its impact. Cards like Pacifism could also neutralize Hunted Nightmare, effectively negating its combat capabilities.
Ultimately, while Hunted Nightmare can accelerate your aggressive strategies, understanding its inherent risks allows you to mitigate its weaknesses. Ensuring you have the right answers in your deck becomes key to turning this nightmare into just a bad dream against your game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hunted Nightmare MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Hunted Nightmare 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
Printings
The Hunted Nightmare Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2020-04-24. Illustrated by Antonio José Manzanedo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 80875 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo | ||
| 2 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 322 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo | |
| 3 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 92s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo | |
| 4 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Promos | PIKO | 92p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo | |
| 5 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 92 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Antonio José Manzanedo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hunted Nightmare has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hunted Nightmare card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-04-17 | If the target opponent controls no creatures, they won’t put a deathtouch counter on any creature. |
| 2020-04-17 | The target opponent chooses which of their creatures receives a deathtouch counter. |