Hunted Wumpus MTG Card
1999-10-04 - Number 253
2003-07-28 - Number 258★
2003-07-28 - Number 258
2005-07-29 - Number 248
2005-07-29 - Number 248★
2005-08-22 - Number K26
2007-07-13 - Number 269
2018-06-08 - Number 202
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
When Hunted Wumpus comes into play, each other player may put a creature card from his or her hand into play under his or her control.
Just one can feed a dozen people for a month.
Cards like Hunted Wumpus
Hunted Wumpus is an intriguing creature card in Magic the Gathering, drawing parallels with other creatures that bring a unique aspect to the table. The Wumpus shares a kinship with the likes of Tempting Wurm, which allows opponents an opportunity to put permanents onto the battlefield. The Wumpus, however, specifically lets each opponent put a creature from their hand onto the battlefield, shifting the dynamic of the game with its four mana cost.
In the realm of green, Ghalta, Primal Hunger shines as a gigantic creature that can potentially be cast for merely two green mana, depending on the total power of creatures you control. Ghalta doesn’t provide the benefit to opponents, but its cost efficiency is reminiscent of Hunted Wumpus’s generous casting cost for its power and toughness. Another relative is Eureka, an older and more powerful spell allowing all players to put any number of permanents from their hand onto the battlefield, not just creatures, pointing to a higher risk but equalizing playstyle much like the Wumpus.
Upon comparison, Hunted Wumpus may not always secure the dominance of Ghalta or the wide-reaching effect of Eureka, but it occupies a special space in green creature strategy where the potential for a substantial presence on the board is balanced with a tactical risk for the thoughtful player.
Cards similar to Hunted Wumpus by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Hunted Wumpus enters the battlefield, it lets each player put a creature card from their hand onto the battlefield. In the right strategy, this can be turned into a significant advantage by lining up your hand with creatures that have beneficial enters-the-battlefield effects or by using cards that negate your opponents’ options to capitalize on this effect.
Resource Acceleration: The Hunted Wumpus can be pivotal in strategies centered around overwhelming your opponents with large creatures early on. By costing only four mana, it accelerates your board presence and allows you to deploy threats faster than your opponents can handle, especially in green decks that already excel in producing extra mana.
Instant Speed: Although Hunted Wumpus itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with other cards that can be played at instant speed. By casting spells or activating abilities at end of turn that influence creature placement, you can curate the battlefield to your advantage just before deploying your Wumpus, transforming its entry into a tactical move rather than just a simple beast summoning.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Hunted Wumpus doesn’t require a discard directly. However, when fielding this creature, opponents may place a creature card from their hand onto the battlefield as well, which can potentially force you to discard strategic plans or defensive maneuvers you have in the works.
Specific Mana Cost: This beast card comes with a requirement of one green mana plus three of any color. While this makes it somewhat flexible, it ties the card to green-centric decks and can prove challenging to cast in multicolored or colorless decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although four mana for a 6/6 creature might seem reasonable, the Hunted Wumpus’ drawback of allowing your opponents to free cast a creature potentially offsets the low cost-to-power ratio, making it a risky play especially if your opponent has a heavy hitter in hand.
Reasons to Include Hunted Wumpus in Your Collection
Versatility: Hunted Wumpus offers a unique dynamic to green-based decks that favor creature-heavy tactics. Its ability to bring large creatures into play quickly makes it a natural fit for ramp strategies and monster-focused builds.
Combo Potential: This card shines in scenarios where you can manipulate the creatures your opponents summon. Combine it with cards that punish opponents for playing creatures, or dictate the terms of combat to turn its downside into an advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s ripe for mind games and outmaneuvering opponents with creature drops, Hunted Wumpus can serve as a surprise tactic. Use it when the field is primed for big swings in board presence or when you can reliably control its potential drawbacks.
How to beat
Hunted Wumpus presents a unique challenge within Magic: The Gathering, opening an opportunity for all players to bring a creature onto the battlefield for no cost. At first glance, the prospect of giving your opponents free creatures might seem disadvantageous. Yet, the key to overcoming this mammoth is strategic timing and deck construction. A tactic could be to ensure the Wumpus’ appearance when you have a battlefield advantage, or when your adversaries have depleted their hands, minimizing the benefits they can reap from your Wumpus.
Control decks excel in maneuvering around such pitfalls. Counterspells keep the Wumpus at bay, while removal spells can efficiently deal with any creatures your opponents might sneak into play. In the same breath, engaging in a creature-heavy meta requires a play strategy that capitalizes on the Wumpus’ ability to assist you more than your opponent. Hence, including creatures in your deck that benefit from multiplicity, like those with Evolve or ones that thrive on high creature count, will bias the Wumpus’ symmetrical effect in your favor.
Ultimately, understanding your deck’s strengths and the overall game state can transform Hunted Wumpus from a potential danger into a calculated asset within Magic: The Gathering gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hunted Wumpus MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Eighth Edition, 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 Wumpus 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 Wumpus Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 253 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 2 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 258★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 3 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 258 | 2003 | Normal | White | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 4 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 248 | 2003 | Normal | White | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 5 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 248★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 6 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | K26 | 2003 | Normal | White | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 7 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 269 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 8 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 202 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hunted Wumpus has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |