Relentless Hunter MTG Card
2016-01-22 - Number 158
2017-03-31 - Number 54
2018-06-08 - Number 226
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
: Relentless Hunter gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.
"I swore to take one head for each member of my family they killed. My task is nowhere near its end."
Understanding Relentless Hunter
Relentless Hunter serves as a formidable force within the creature-heavy strategies of Magic: The Gathering. This card paves the way for aggressive plays, much like cards such as Heir of the Wilds. Both share a 3/3 structure for three mana, yet Relentless Hunter takes it up a notch with the ability to buff itself and gain trample, turning it into a significant threat that can scale as the game progresses.
Cards like Relentless Hunter
Relentless Hunter is an excellent example of a creature that can influence the board with its presence. While it can be compared to cards like Air Elemental, which also offers a robust body, the Hunter adds versatility with its pump ability, distinguishing itself from the straightforward power and toughness ratios. Another noteworthy comparison would be with Surrak, the Hunt Caller, which also grants haste in certain conditions. Although Surrak can potentially impact the game sooner, Relentless Hunter’s lower mana cost and self-reliant pump ability provides consistent value and reliability during longer matchups.
Evaluating the position of Relentless Hunter in Magic: The Gathering, it’s clear to see how it carves out a niche for itself. Its ability to become an ever-increasing threat makes it a card that cannot be ignored on the battlefield. Whether you’re contending with flying leviathans like Air Elemental or looking for a tireless aggressor like Heir of the Wilds, Relentless Hunter is a choice worth considering for its adaptable combat prowess.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Relentless Hunter grants you a scalable threat on the battlefield. Through its ability to increase its power and toughness, it pressures your opponents and demands an answer, potentially leading to advantageous trades that can preserve your superior board state.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a resource acceleration tool, Relentless Hunter’s manageable casting cost makes it an efficient addition to your curve. It synergizes well with decks that ramp or generate additional mana, allowing you to use its activated abilities sooner and more frequently.
Instant Speed: The strength of Relentless Hunter shines at instant speed. Its ability to pump itself during either player’s turn is a significant boon. This flexibility allows you to adapt to threats or opportunities as they arise mid-game, maintaining the tempo and catching opponents off-guard during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While harnessing the power of the Relentless Hunter, being obliged to discard another card can certainly set you back, especially when you’re strategically mapping out your plays and hand management is key.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Relentless Hunter can pose a constraint as it demands both red and green mana, hence restricting its seamless inclusion to multi-colored deck strategies that can accommodate such requirements comfortably.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the steeper side, the Hunter competes with a breadth of other creatures and spells which could potentially deliver more impact on the battlefield for a similar, if not lower, investment.
Reasons to Include Relentless Hunter in Your Collection
Versatility: Relentless Hunter can adapt to various gameplay strategies and fits snugly into aggro and midrange decks. Its ability to gain size and trample makes it relevant at multiple stages of the game.
Combo Potential: This card offers synergistic opportunities with deck mechanics that reward +1/+1 counters or creatures with the power to become larger. It can be a key piece in strategies looking to dominate combat phases.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to become a significant threat quickly, Relentless Hunter holds its ground in environments where board presence and creature removal are pivotal. Its strength can pivot the outcome in creature-focused matchups.
How to beat
Relentless Hunter is a versatile creature card in Magic the Gathering known for its adaptability on the battlefield. Its ability to gain +1/+1 and trample until end of turn at the cost of a small mana investment can be quite the hurdle to overcome. Overpowering it in combat by leveraging creatures with high toughness or those with death touch that can take it down regardless of its power level can turn the tide in your favor.
Alternatively, employing removal spells such as Path to Exile or Murder can neutralize it outright. Counterspells are equally efficient by preventing Relentless Hunter from entering the battlefield in the first place. This strategy requires you to maintain mana reserves and keen anticipation for your opponent’s moves. Board wipes like Wrath of God also serve as a safeguard, clearing multiple threats, including Relentless Hunter, thereby resetting the playing field to your advantage.
Ultimately, the key to beating Relentless Hunter lies in understanding the tempo of the game and disrupting your opponent’s momentum by removing their key threats before they can capitalize on them, which grants you control of the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Relentless Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might, 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 Relentless Hunter 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 Relentless Hunter Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch | OGW | 158 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2017-03-31 | Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might | DDS | 54 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 3 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 226 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Relentless Hunter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |