Roc Hatchling MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Released | 1997-06-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Weatherlight |
| Set code | WTH |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 113 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Una Fricker |
Text of card
When Roc Hatchling comes into play, put four shell counters on it. During your upkeep, remove a shell counter from Roc Hatchling. As long as Roc Hatchling has no shell counters on it, it gets +3/+2 and gains flying.
Cards like Roc Hatchling
Roc Hatchling is an intriguing creature card in the vast landscape of MTG. Its likeness can be observed in creatures such as Nest Robber, which also carries the dinosaur tag and boasts an immediate impact with haste. Roc Hatchling, though, diverges with its slow growth mechanic, evolving from egg to fearsome flying beast.
Comparably, Raptor Hatchling presents a related egg-to-predator transformation. This card, upon being damaged, spawns a larger dinosaur, mirroring the thematic progression found in Roc Hatchling. The kicker lies in their disparity; Raptor Hatchling offers an immediate payoff when threatened, while Roc Hatchling requires the investment of time and mana to reach its potential.
Another related card is Dragon Egg, which, like Roc Hatchling, waits to unleash its bigger form upon death. However, Dragon Egg creates a flying dragon with added firepower in the form of fire-breathing capabilities — a contrasting feature to Roc Hatchling’s consistent growth over turns.
When evaluating these creatures side by side, Roc Hatchling commands a unique position among MTG’s array of evolving creature cards, providing an unfolding narrative on the battlefield that can culminate in a game-changing aerial force.
Cards similar to Roc Hatchling by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Roc Hatchling has the potential to grow over time, offering increased value with each use. This ability to evolve allows players to enhance their battlefield presence gradually, making it a strategic asset as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: This creature can be an asset in decks built around resource acceleration. With the right synergies and buffs, it can quickly become a formidable threat, hastening your route to victory.
Instant Speed: While Roc Hatchling itself isn’t an instant, its appearance on the battlefield can quickly alter the state of play. Its evolving power and potential for interaction at critical moments provide tactical advantages at a pace that can outmaneuver opponents’ strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Roc Hatchling necessitates discarding another card, which can be a setback when your hand is nearly empty or if you’re trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Roc Hatchling includes red mana, making it less flexible for decks that are not tailored around this color or that have a restrictive mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature of its size, Roc Hatchling’s mana cost is on the higher side, potentially slowing down your early game when you might prefer to deploy quicker threats or establish board presence with more efficient creatures.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Roc Hatchling is a robust addition to any deck seeking to build a powerful board presence over time. As it evolves, this creature becomes a formidable threat that seamlessly fits into a wide array of deck archetypes, making it a flexible choice for players looking to adapt to various playstyles.
Combo Potential: With its ability to grow larger each turn, Roc Hatchling pairs well with strategies that capitalize on large creatures or those that manipulate counters. It can become a key component in synergistic combos that amplify its impact and potentially turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: The shifting landscape of the meta often calls for cards that can contend with a range of threats. Roc Hatchling’s evolving nature makes it relevant in an environment where establishing a commanding presence on the board is crucial for outlasting opponents in the mid to late game.
How to beat Roc Hatchling
Roc Hatchling can be a burgeoning threat in Magic: The Gathering with its potential to grow into a formidable bird with flying. Despite its initially modest stats, its prowess lies in the ability to accumulate +1/+1 counters, evolving into a more menacing creature on the battlefield. To outmaneuver Roc Hatchling, strategy is key. Prioritizing removal spells that can deal with it before it has the chance to grow is crucial. Instant-speed removal spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can effectively dispatch the Hatchling preemptively.
Moreover, since Roc Hatchling needs four egg counters to hatch, keeping its development in check is another route to stifling its growth. Utilizing cards that can either remove counters or return the creature to its owner’s hand prevent it from ever becoming the threat it’s meant to be. Engaging in combat with the intention of forcing blocks can also be effective. Forcing an exchange with a deceptively weak creature can surprise an opponent when you reveal a combat trick that boosts your creature’s power, eliminating the Hatchling before it can escape its shell.
In essence, quick action and preemptive control are the touchstones for keeping Roc Hatchling from reaching its full and potentially game-changing potential. Understanding its development cycle and countering it efficiently can ensure you maintain the upper hand against this evolving threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Roc Hatchling MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Roc Hatchling 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 Roc Hatchling has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |