Pyre Hound MTG Card

Pyre Hound - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)

Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
2016-04-08 - Number 174

Masters 25 (A25)
2018-03-16 - Number 145

Pyre Hound - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)

Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
2023-03-21 - Number 172

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elemental Dog
Abilities	Trample
Power	2
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Pyre Hound thrives in decks built around casting numerous spells, receiving +1/+1 counters to enhance its power.
Its ability to grow with instant speed allows surprising tactical plays, offering both offensive and defensive benefits.
Strategic hand management is critical to maximize Pyre Hound’s potential, as its effectiveness relies on a spell-rich hand.

Text of card

Trample Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Pyre Hound.

Its growl is the crackling and popping of a wildfire untamed.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Pyre Hound doesn’t directly let you draw cards, it gains a +1/+1 counter whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. This synergizes well with decks that already aim to draw and play many spells, transforming that card flow into a steadily growing threat on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Not directly linked with resource acceleration, Pyre Hound’s growth potential means that every spell you cast not only furthers your game strategy but also invests in a more powerful creature. This indirect acceleration bolsters your board presence with no additional mana cost required.

Instant Speed: Pyre Hound benefits from instants immensely. With its ability to grow at instant speed, you can surprise opponents by turning what seems like a harmless creature into a formidable opponent after they’ve declared attackers or before the end of their turn. This maximizes your turn flexibility while expanding Pyre Hound’s size, turning it into both a defensive and offensive asset.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pyre Hound’s prowess lies in its ability to grow with every instant or sorcery you cast, but this can be a catch-22 if your hand is running empty. Without a healthy supply of spells to play, its potential for growth is stunted, making careful hand management essential.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red and generic mana, Pyre Hound demands a firm place in red-centric or compatible two-color decks. This requirement can restrict deck building flexibility, especially for players who prefer multicolor or non-red strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana, Pyre Hound may not hit the battlefield as early as you’d like. While its mana cost is not exorbitant, other creatures in the same mana range could offer immediate impact or come with built-in protection, potentially giving them an edge over this fiery hound.

Reasons to Include Pyre Hound in Your Collection

Versatility: Pyre Hound can quickly become a formidable threat in decks that thrive on casting a lot of spells. Its flexible nature allows it to fit into various strategies from aggressive red decks to spell-heavy Izzet builds.

Combo Potential: Every instant and sorcery spell you cast puts a +1/+1 counter on Pyre Hound, pairing well with strategies that aim to cast multiple spells in a single turn, turning it into an exponentially growing threat each turn.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where board presence and creature-based strategies dominate, Pyre Hound’s continual growth makes it a relevant choice. It can outsize opponents’ creatures over time, serving as both a persistent blocker and a significant attacker.

How to Beat Pyre Hound

Pyre Hound is a unique creature card that grows more formidable as you cast instant and sorcery spells, akin to the prowess ability seen in other Magic: The Gathering cards. As a player, the key to overcoming Pyre Hound lies in preventing its ability to scale. One effective way is through timely removal spells. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can effectively deal with Pyre Hound before its power and toughness become unmanageable.

Alternatively, you can employ counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak to disrupt your opponent’s strategy and keep the hound in check. This works best when Pyre Hound’s controller is attempting to cast several spells in one turn to beef it up. Control decks that limit the number of spells an opponent can play through hand disruption or counter-heavy strategies tend to have a better match-up against Pyre Hound decks.

Lastly, keeping a vigilant eye on the board and recognizing the immediate threat Pyre Hound presents is crucial. Prioritize it as a target for your removal or counter spells, and you’ll be well on your way to securing victory against this relentless creature.

Cards like Pyre Hound

Pyre Hound proves to be an interesting creature within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Treading parallel lines with cards like Kiln Fiend, this creature benefits from casting instant and sorcery spells. Each one bolsters Pyre Hound with a +1/+1 counter, which remains indefinitely, unlike Kiln Fiend’s temporary power boost that lasts only until the end of turn.

Then there’s Nivix Cyclops, another creature that gains temporary power for spell casting. Although Pyre Hound’s boosts are permanent, Nivix Cyclops provides an immediate wall of defense with its higher base toughness. Comparatively, Wee Dragonauts also grant a swift and sizable, though ephemeral, power increase after a spell is cast, appealing for those pursuing an aggressive, tempo-based strategy.

Analyzing these similar options, Pyre Hound offers a steady and enduring growth, making it a strong contender for decks that favor a long game strategy with a creature that becomes increasingly formidable with every spell played.

Cards similar to Pyre Hound by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pyre Hound MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Masters 25, 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 Pyre Hound and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pyre Hound Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Jama Jurabaev.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-04-08	Shadows over Innistrad	SOI	174	2015	Normal	Black	Jama Jurabaev
2	2018-03-16	Masters 25	A25	145	2015	Normal	Black	Jama Jurabaev
3	2023-03-21	Shadows over Innistrad Remastered	SIR	172	2015	Normal	Black	Jama Jurabaev

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pyre Hound 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 Pyre Hound card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2018-03-16	Pyre Hound’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that causes it to trigger. The ability will resolve even if that spell is countered.