Savvy Hunter MTG Card


Creates food tokens for card advantage and resource acceleration, crucial in prolonged matches. Instant speed token utility adds flexibility, bluffing potential, and surprise plays. Demands consistent token generation and specific mana colors to unleash its full potential.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Abilities Food
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever Savvy Hunter attacks or blocks, create a Food token. (It's an artifact with ", , Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.") Sacrifice two Foods: Draw a card.

None of the other villagers dare venture into the wilds, so she feeds the whole hamlet herself.


Cards like Savvy Hunter

Savvy Hunter makes for a compelling comparison to other reward-based creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It aligns with creatures like Tireless Tracker which also accrues value over time through clue tokens. While Tireless Tracker grows stronger with each clue solved, Savvy Hunter offers consistent food token production without needing land drops or extra mana to trigger the ability.

Another similar card is Gluttonous Troll, which brings food tokens to the table upon entering the battlefield while also providing the flexibility of creature token generation. Savvy Hunter is distinguished by its ability to potentially generate a food token every turn, promoting ongoing value, whereas Gluttonous Troll’s food creation is a one-time event.

Moldervine Reclamation shares a unique strategy for generating card advantage but does so through a different avenue. It rewards the player with cards upon a creature’s demise rather than through direct token production. The Hunter, in contrast, carves a niche for itself by enabling players to strategize around food tokens for life gain as well as for incremental advantage.

To sum up, Savvy Hunter may not offer the immediate impact of some alternatives but stands out as a reliable engine for value in decks built to take advantage of its consistent food token production.

Tireless Tracker - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Troll - MTG Card versions
Moldervine Reclamation - MTG Card versions
Tireless Tracker - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Troll - MTG Card versions
Moldervine Reclamation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Savvy Hunter by color, type and mana cost

Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Gorgon - MTG Card versions
Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Shaman of the Pack - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Gorgon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Savvy Hunter shines when it comes to card advantage. Each time it attacks or blocks, you get to create a Food token, which not only boosts your life points when needed but also can be sacrificed alongside two others to draw a card. This ability to keep your hand replenished is essential to outlast opponents in longer matches.

Resource Acceleration: The Food tokens generated by Savvy Hunter can be a key tactical asset, serving as a resource accelerator. With the right synergies in your deck, you can convert these tokens into valuable mana sources to deploy bigger threats or surprising responses during the game.

Instant Speed: Although Savvy Hunter itself isn’t an instant, the ability to crack Food tokens at instant speed provides flexibility during gameplay. This lets you bluff holding up mana for other instant speed interactions, while still providing the option to gain life or draw cards if no immediate threats or better plays arise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Savvy Hunter requires you to amass Food tokens to utilize her full potential. If you’re unable to consistently generate these tokens, her utility significantly decreases, leaving you at a disadvantage when trying to capitalize on her abilities.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Savvy Hunter is fairly rigid, demanding both green and black mana which can be a stumbling block for decks that aren’t fine-tuned for this color combination. Decks that don’t run these colors or have a weak mana base may struggle to play her efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two that are color-specific, Savvy Hunter can be considered a bit pricey on the mana curve, especially when you factor in the additional setup required to generate and utilize Food tokens effectively. In some scenarios, other cards may offer more immediate or less conditional benefits for the same, if not lower, mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Savvy Hunter slips seamlessly into a range of deck builds, especially those centred around creature synergies and the recurring value from food tokens.

Combo Potential: This card is an engine that works exceedingly well with strategies that exploit the use of food tokens, whether it’s gaining life, fueling powerful spells, or enabling card draw.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-intensive decks are prominent in the current metagame, having a resilient unit like Savvy Hunter that can also provide card advantage is a strategic asset.


How to beat

Savvy Hunter presents an intriguing challenge for players on the battlefield with its ability to create Food tokens and potentially draw cards. When facing this resourceful card, remember that its powers hinge on the combat phase. Direct removal spells like Murder or Fatal Push can efficiently handle the Hunter before it begins to stockpile value. Another strategy is to prevent the Hunter from attacking by using cards such as Pacifism or engaging it with a creature that can survive the encounter.

Control decks have an edge with counter spells—simply prevent Savvy Hunter from hitting the field in the first place. In broader terms, disrupting the accumulation of Food tokens can be pivotal. Cards that exile creatures or graveyards, like Leyline of the Void, remove the tokens from play, weakening the board presence your opponent is trying to build. For a proactive stance, aggro players can outpace the Savvy Hunter by applying relentless pressure, making it less relevant as the game progresses.

The key to success is swift and decisive action. Whether it’s through targeted removal, control strategies, or aggressive plays, ensuring the Savvy Hunter doesn’t get the chance to showcase its full potential is critical to come out on top.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves recognizing the strength and potential applications of cards like Savvy Hunter. With its ability to shape the battlefield through card advantage and resource acceleration, it’s a noteworthy addition to decks that thrive on synergy. The landscape of MTG is ever-evolving, and understanding how to integrate such multifaceted cards is key to staying ahead. Learn how you can harness the power of Savvy Hunter by adopting smart tactics and adapting to the changing meta. Deepen your knowledge and strategic play by joining our community where tips, tricks, and insights await to sharpen your game. Elevate your deck’s performance today.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Savvy Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Tales of Middle-earth Commander, 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 Savvy Hunter and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Savvy Hunter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 2002015NormalBlackDan Dos Santos
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 2712015NormalBlackValera Lutfullina

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Savvy Hunter has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Savvy Hunter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-10-04 Food is an artifact type. Even though it appears on some creatures (such as Gingerbrute), it's never a creature type.
2019-10-04 If an effect refers to a Food, it means any Food artifact, not just a Food artifact token. For example, you can sacrifice Gingerbrute to activate the last ability of Tempting Witch.
2019-10-04 Whatever you do, don't eat the delicious cards.
2019-10-04 You can't sacrifice a Food token to pay multiple costs. For example, you can't sacrifice a Food token to activate its own ability and also to activate the ability of Tempting Witch.