Slaughterhorn MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 134
2017-03-17 - Number 136
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Abilities | Bloodrush |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Bloodrush — , Discard Slaughterhorn: Target attacking creature gets +3/+2 until end of turn.
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Cards like Slaughterhorn
Slaughterhorn is an unsung hero among combat tricks in the Magic: The Gathering universe. It bears resemblance to other cards that bolster creature strength, like Giant Growth, which also provides a temporary +3/+3 boost. Slaughterhorn’s unique selling point rests in its flexibility. With the bloodrush ability, it can be discarded and its effect applied at instant speed, giving your creatures the edge precisely when you need it.
Comparatively, we have cards like Vines of Vastwood which offer creatures not only a boost but also protection from spells or abilities your opponents control. This dual utility can sometimes tip the scales in a match where both strength and defense play critical roles. However, Vines comes with a different set of requirements and costs. Another analog is Titanic Growth, offering an even more substantial pump of +4/+4 but without the instant discard utility, making its use somewhat more predictable and less flexible during combat.
Ultimately, Slaughterhorn stands out with its adaptability in combat situations. Its dual capability to serve as both a creature and a combat trick makes it a versatile pick for players looking to add a little surprise to their strategic executions in MTG.
Cards similar to Slaughterhorn by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Playing Slaughterhorn can potentially shift the board in your favor without losing a card from your hand. Utilizing its bloodrush ability gives you the power to surprise an opponent during combat, often resulting in a two-for-one situation where you take out an enemy creature while keeping Slaughterhorn in your arsenal for a later threat. This tactic ensures you’re capitalizing on the card utility while maintaining pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Although Slaughterhorn itself doesn’t generate mana or ramp, its low casting cost contributes to your overall resource acceleration. Casting it early creates a solid presence on the board, forcing your opponent to deal with it while you develop your mana base and strategy with minimal investment. It’s an efficient use of resources, allowing you to keep the tempo in your favor.
Instant Speed: Slaughterhorn’s bloodrush ability exemplifies the strategic advantage of instant speed actions. By discarding Slaughterhorn for its bloodrush cost, you’re able to instantly bolster another creature, catching an adversary off guard during the heat of battle. This not only has the potential to turn the tides of combat but can also be done while keeping mana available for other instant-speed interactions, keeping your opponent guessing at your true capabilities.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Slaughterhorn’s Bloodrush ability, while potentially powerful, necessitates the discard of the card itself. This trade-off requires careful strategic planning since it decreases your hand size and resource availability, limiting subsequent play options.
Specific Mana Cost: Slaughterhorn’s casting cost demands one green mana, which can restrict deck integration outside of green-centric builds. Players running multicolored or off-theme decks might find it challenging to consistently meet this requirement, impacting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three, Slaughterhorn faces stiff competition from other creatures in its cost bracket. While providing a reasonable body, alternative creatures or spells might offer more impact or utility for the same or lower mana investment, making it less appealing in mana-efficient deck designs.
Reasons to Include Slaughterhorn in Your Collection
Versatility: Slaughterhorn’s modal nature allows it to serve as a solid creature or as a surprise combat trick with its Bloodrush ability, making it adaptable to various green deck strategies.
Combo Potential: Bloodrush can synergize with cards that capitalize on targeting creatures—whether to boost their power or enabling other abilities, Slaughterhorn meshes well with synergistic green tactics.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence is vital, Slaughterhorn can be a cost-effective way to enhance your creature lineup or to turn the tide with its instant-speed buff, ensuring it can hold its own in diverse meta scenarios.
How to beat
Slaughterhorn presents itself as a flexible combat trick thanks to its Bloodrush ability, allowing players to give a creature +3/+2 until end of turn. While this boost can turn the tides of a battle, there are strategies to mitigate its impact. Keeping removal spells at the ready ensures that you can respond to the Bloodrush activation. Instant speed removal like Murder or Doom Blade can be particularly effective as they allow you to wait until your opponent commits to using the Bloodrush before acting.
Furthermore, anticipating combat tricks is essential, so it’s wise to avoid unfavorable blocks that could lead to a blowout from abilities like Slaughterhorn’s. Lastly, cards that prevent damage or de-buff creatures can also provide answers to this aggressive tactic. Cards like Mizzium Skin or Samite Ministration, which grant protection or counteract combat damage, can nullify Slaughterhorn’s temporary power increase, keeping your creatures safe and maintaining board presence.
By incorporating these methods into your strategy, you’ll be well-equipped to handle Slaughterhorn and other similar threats on the battlefield, ensuring your MTG decks remain competitive and resilient against sudden power spikes.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Slaughterhorn MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Slaughterhorn 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 Slaughterhorn Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2017-03-17. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 134 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 2 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 136 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Slaughterhorn has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |