Hunting Drake MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Drake |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2001-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Planeshift |
| Set code | PLS |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 27 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Wayne England |
Text of card
Flying When Hunting Drake comes into play, put target red or green creature on top of its owner's library.
Even the fiercest beast will flee when faced with the possibility of becoming dinner.
Cards like Hunting Drake
Hunting Drake occupies a unique space within the pantheon of flying creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. When reviewing cards with similar abilities, one can definitely see parallels with the established Aven Surveyor. Both creatures bring a form of board control through bouncing opponent’s creatures, yet Aven Surveyor offers a choice upon entry to the battlefield—either add a +1/+1 counter or return a creature to its owner’s hand. This versatility in options is not available with Hunting Drake.
Examining Mist Raven reveals another creature with echo-like effects. Similar to Hunting Drake’s bounce mechanism, Mist Raven returns a target creature to its hand upon entering the battlefield. However, unlike Hunting Drake, Mist Raven brings this effect at a slightly lower mana value. On the other hand, Man-o’-War, a classic from the earlier sets, performs a very similar function and comes out at an even lower cost, making it a highly efficient choice in creature control strategies.
While weighing the features of Hunting Drake against its peers, it stands out in its specificity and interaction at that particular mana cost. Hunting Drake can certainly find its niche in decks that focus on tempo play, keeping the skies clear and maintaining pressure on the opponent.
Cards similar to Hunting Drake by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hunting Drake can be a valuable card to include in your deck to shift the tide of the battlefield in your favor. When you play Hunting Drake, you get the chance to return a creature to its owner’s top of their library, effectively setting them back a draw and gaining an edge in card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although Hunting Drake itself doesn’t generate additional resources directly, by delaying your opponent’s plans and forcing them to redraw a creature they’ve already played, you’re indirectly accelerating your own resources in comparison to theirs. This can be especially crucial in the later stages of a game where every turn counts.
Instant Speed: The real power of Hunting Drake lies in its instant speed, allowing you to adapt to the situation on the battlefield fluidly. You can cast it during your opponent’s turn, in response to an attack or another spell, keeping your options open until you need to make a move. This flexibility can give you a significant strategic advantage over your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hunting Drake requires you to discard a card upon casting, which could deplete your hand when you might be needing all resources for a critical play.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands both blue and generic mana, potentially restricting its inclusion in multicolor decks that need to manage a finely balanced mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its higher mana cost in relation to its abilities, players may find Hunting Drake less economical, especially when matched against other cards with similar or better effects at a lower cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Hunting Drake’s ability to return a creature to the top of its owner’s deck makes it a flexible choice in blue-based control or tempo decks. Its flying trait allows it to serve as both an aerial threat and a defensive option.
Combo Potential: The bounce effect of Hunting Drake pairs well with cards that manipulate or exploit opponent’s top-deck, enabling disruptive synergies. Its interaction with cards that function off of creatures entering the battlefield can also be advantageous.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prominent, Hunting Drake can significantly set back your opponent’s board state. Being able to influence the pace of the game by controlling opponents’ draws is a powerful tactic in the current meta.
How to beat
Hunting Drake presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, offering a strategic advantage with its battlefield manipulation ability. To counter this evasive flyer, it is essential to anticipate its arrival. Removal spells that can be cast irrespective of the creature’s flight status are highly effective. Instant speed spells such as Murder or Fatal Push can disrupt your opponent’s momentum by eliminating Hunting Drake before its ability resolves.
Moreover, focusing on spells that negate the ability to target creatures, such as hexproof granting or indestructible effects, can nullify the Drake’s temporary removal tactic. Another strategy involves utilizing sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation, which can clear the board of Hunting Drake without needing to target it directly. Additionally, playing cards that can capitalize on the Drake being bounced to the top of the library, like Duress or Thoughtseize, can ensure it never takes flight again by plucking it straight from your opponent’s hand.
Ultimately, while Hunting Drake can be a bump in your game plan, incorporating direct removal or hand disruption into your deck’s strategy can keep the skies clear for a winning path forward.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hunting Drake MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 Hunting Drake 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hunting Drake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hunting Drake card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If the target changes color from red to green or green to red between triggering and resolution, the ability still works. |