Spike Hatcher MTG Card
1998-06-15 - Number 126
2015-05-06 - Number 197
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Spike |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
Spike Hatcher comes into play with six +1/+1 counters on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spike Hatcher: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. o1, Remove a +1/+1 counter from Spike Hatcher: Regenerate Spike Hatcher.
Cards like Spike Hatcher
Spike Hatcher occupies a unique niche in Magic: The Gathering as a creature with the potential for both evasion and board impact. A card reminiscent of this duality is Pentavus, which similarly allows for the creation and sacrifice of token creatures for strategic advantage. Although Pentavus lacks the inherent ability to pump its own stats like Spike Hatcher does by removing +1/+1 counters to create creature tokens, it compensates with the flexibility to reabsorb its tokens to replenish counters.
Fleshing out the comparison further, Hornet Queen is another creature that brings a swarm of insect tokens with flying onto the battlefield. Unlike Spike Hatcher, which requires a hefty investment to both cast and activate its ability, Hornet Queen provides immediate board presence with its tokens. The trade-off here involves Spike Hatcher’s potential growth and the immediate influence Hornet Queen has when it enters play.
Considering the broader spectrum of creature cards with token synergies, Spike Hatcher’s unique blend of abilities and resource demands suggests a card with both high investment and high reward potential. Its adaptability to various game states allows it to stand out among MTG’s array of versatile creature cards.
Cards similar to Spike Hatcher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spike Hatcher offers a distinct advantage by transferring all +1/+1 counters onto another creature when it dies, potentially beefing up your board presence with a more formidable creature without losing those accumulated resources.
Resource Acceleration: This creature can help speed up your game by allowing an increase in the distribution of +1/+1 counters across your creatures, thereby accelerating your offensive capabilities faster than usual. It’s a strategic move that can tip the balance in your favor.
Instant Speed: With Spike Hatcher, the ability to sacrifice it at instant speed means you can wait until the last possible moment to decide the best course of action, whether that’s in response to a board wipe or to make an important combat trick. This flexibility ensures you always have an ace up your sleeve.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Spike Hatcher demands the player to sacrifice another creature as part of its Echo cost. This can set you back, particularly if your board presence is already hurting or if the creature lineup is integral to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The six mana necessary to cast Spike Hatcher can impede your tempo as it requires a significant amount of green. This specific cost can complicate its inclusion in multi-colored decks where mana resources must be balanced more carefully.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potential to provide a burst of counters, Spike Hatcher’s six mana cost is a tall order. When evaluating cards for a deck, the return on investment is crucial, and there are creatures or spells which may provide a more immediate or versatile impact for the same or less investment.
Reasons to Include Spike Hatcher in Your Collection
Versatility: Spike Hatcher is a unique card able to adapt to various situations on the battlefield. Its capacity to enter the game with six +1/+1 counters allows it to serve as a formidable blocker or an aggressive attacker, depending on your needs.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with strategies that revolve around counters. With the ability to remove a counter to generate a Saproling, Spike Hatcher works well in decks that capitalize on token generation or require counter manipulation for combos.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames shift, the value of Spike Hatcher can fluctuate. In environments where games draw out or where creature-based strategies are popular, the persistent threat and board presence offered by Spike Hatcher can be an asset to many deck types.
How to beat
Spike Hatcher is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering with its mana-intensive ability to put +1/+1 counters on itself. Unlike other creatures that may grow over time passively, Spike Hatcher requires a significant investment of mana to reach its full potential. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge when it comes to overcoming it on the battlefield.
To effectively counter this card, players can consider multiple strategies such as utilizing removal spells before the opponent invests too much mana into Spike Hatcher. Cards like Path to Exile, Doom Blade, or Fatal Push can dispatch it at a low cost and prevent the opponent from gaining a strong board presence. Moreover, countering key spells that synergize with Spike Hatcher’s ability is crucial. Artifact removals that target popular mana acceleration tools can limit the opponent’s mana pool and impede the growth of their Spike Hatcher.
In summary, preemptive removal and disruption of synergy are key components to claim victory over a Spike Hatcher. Understanding and interrupting your opponent’s strategy before they reach a point of insurmountability will safeguard you from the looming threat posed by this peculiar creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spike Hatcher MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Tempest Remastered, 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 Spike Hatcher 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 Spike Hatcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Stephen Daniele.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-15 | Exodus | EXO | 126 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Stephen Daniele | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 197 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Stephen Daniele |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spike Hatcher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |