Pugnacious Hammerskull MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 328
2023-11-17 - Number 208
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Whenever Pugnacious Hammerskull attacks while you don't control another Dinosaur, put a stun counter on it.
Cards like Pugnacious Hammerskull
Pugnacious Hammerskull, with its potential to become a staple in creature-based aggressive decks, reminds one of cards such as Goblin Heelcutter. Both creatures share the ability to disrupt the opponent’s defense by making it harder for creatures to block. The Hammerskull, however, is part of the dinosaur tribe and can tap a creature upon attacking, which can be strategically significant in dino-themed decks.
Then there is the Fervent Paincaster, which contrasts with its innate ability to tap or deal damage directly to opponents, providing a different kind of board control. But unlike the Pugnacious Hammerskull, it doesn’t have the added benefit of being a proactive combat threat, as its ability doesn’t aid in clearing the way for other attackers to come through.
Assessing others like Territorial Hammerskull, which also taps opposing creatures but belongs to an older set, suggests the Pugnacious Hammerskull could fill similar roles in newer decks seeking updated synergies. Each card has its merits, and players will find the Pugnacious Hammerskull a solid option when building decks that capitalize on combat tactics and tempo advantage.
Cards similar to Pugnacious Hammerskull by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Pugnacious Hammerskull. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Naya Dinosaurs | Standard | Naya Dinosaurs | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024 |
 | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-11 |
 | Abzan Vampires | Pioneer | Abzan Vampires | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-05-02 |
 | Golgari Vampires | Pioneer | Golgari Vampires | Pioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-04-14 |
 | Gruul Dinosaurs | Standard | Gruul Dinosaurs | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024 |
| Golgari Combo | Explorer | The Pizza Box Open: Explorer | |
| Golgari Midrange | Explorer | The Pizza Box Open: Explorer |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Pugnacious Hammerskull may not draw cards directly, its ability to control the board can indirectly lead to card advantage. By exerting pressure and demanding answers from your opponent, you effectively decrease their hand while maintaining yours.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Pugnacious Hammerskull doesn’t generate mana or treasures, it offers a cost-effective way to keep tempo and advance your board state. Its low casting cost means you can deploy it early and potentially preserve resources for later threats or responses.
Instant Speed: Pugnacious Hammerskull isn’t an instant, but it interacts favorably with instant-speed tricks. The ability to tap a creature can combine well with combat tricks or removals played at instant speed, allowing for unexpected shifts in the game’s momentum.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential downside of the Pugnacious Hammerskull is the necessity to potentially discard valuable cards to utilize certain abilities or effects. This drawback can be particularly troubling when your hand is crucial to maintaining board presence and strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Pugnacious Hammerskull has a specific mana requirement that can be restrictive for deck building. Being a part of a defined color archetype limits its integration into multicolor decks that may not focus on its specific mana color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In some cases, Pugnacious Hammerskull might come at a higher mana cost compared to other cards with similar effects. This can potentially slow down your gameplay, as deploying this card requires a significant mana investment which may not always correlate with the advantage it provides on the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Pugnacious Hammerskull offers a low mana curve option that slots easily into a variety of aggressive decks, elevating their early game pressure on opponents.
Combo Potential: With its ability to tap target creatures upon attacking, this card can synergize with strategies focused on maintaining board control while chipping away at your opponent’s defenses.
Meta-Relevance: Consider the current competitive scene where creature-based strategies are prominent. Pugnacious Hammerskull’s creature-tapping ability could disrupt your opponents’ plans and give you an edge in pivotal matches.
How to beat
Pugnacious Hammerskull is an aggressive creature card in MTG that applies pressure on opponents by tapping one of their creatures when it attacks. To counter this, consider employing removal spells to dispatch the Hammerskull before it can lock down your defenders. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push can be cost-effective answers to the Hammerskull, ensuring it doesn’t hinder your blocking strategy.
Another tactic is to utilize creatures with vigilance or those that can untap themselves, negating the tap effect of the Hammerskull. This way, you keep your defenders ready despite the Hammerskull’s attack. Counterspells are also effective ways to deal with the Hammerskull, specifically if you are playing a control deck that prioritizes denying your opponent’s plays.
Lastly, since Pugnacious Hammerskull requires aggression to be effective, strategies that stabilize the board, like life gain or creating a high number of blockers, can diminish the impact of its attack. By developing a fortified board presence, you reduce the pressure from the Hammerskull, pacing the game according to your strategy and ultimately overcoming its aggressive nature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Pugnacious Hammerskull MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Pugnacious Hammerskull and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Pugnacious Hammerskull Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 328 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Sidharth Chaturvedi | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 208 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Pugnacious Hammerskull has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pugnacious Hammerskull card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | If you didn't control another Dinosaur when you declared Pugnacious Hammerskull as an attacker, it doesn't matter whether or not you control one as its ability resolves. You'll still put a stun counter on Pugnacious Hammerskull. |