Mongrel Pack MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 237
2020-09-26 - Number TMP-237
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Dog |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Gain board presence with the creation of four 1/1 green Hound tokens upon the creature’s death.
- Utilize the tokens for deeper strategy, such as sacrifice outlets or as blockers and attackers.
- Instant-speed token creation can disrupt and surprise opponents during combat phases.
Text of card
If Mongrel Pack is put into any graveyard from play during combat, put four Hound tokens into play. Treat these tokens as 1/1 green creatures.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Mongrel Pack is put into the graveyard from play, you get to put four 1/1 green Hound creature tokens onto the battlefield. This provides a significant increase in the number of creatures at your disposal, helping you maintain a strong board presence.
Resource Acceleration: The aforementioned Hound tokens can be utilized beyond mere blockers or attackers; they can serve as fodder for various sacrificial abilities, effectively accelerating your resources by enabling enhanced interactions or combos within your deck.
Instant Speed: Although Mongrel Pack itself cannot be cast at instant speed, the four tokens are created immediately upon its death regardless of the phase or step in the turn cycle. This trait gives you the tactical advantage of an unforeseen board state change which could disrupt your opponent’s strategy, especially during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A significant setback for players using Mongrel Pack is the compulsory sacrifice when it becomes blocked. You’ll end up losing the creature altogether, which can be a rather steep price to pay, especially when your hand is already running thin on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands both green mana and a total of four to cast. This requirement means it’s pigeonholed into decks that have a strong green mana base, potentially restricting deck diversity and making Mongrel Pack less versatile than other creature cards that might have more flexible color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Four mana is a significant investment, particularly when evaluating the creature’s overall strength and abilities. When considering its power level, some might argue that its cost doesn’t quite equate to the benefits it brings to the table, especially compared to other creatures in the same mana range.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mongrel Pack offers a flexible role in decks focusing on creature-based strategies. Upon its destruction, the ability to create four 1/1 tokens ensures you maintain a board presence, fueling both aggressive and defensive tactics.
Combo Potential: The card thrives in synergies with mechanics that capitalize on creature death or token generation. It’s an ideal piece in decks utilizing sacrifice outlets or cards like “Doubling Season” for an even more substantial token advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a game-state where board wipes and removal are prevalent, having a card that provides post-removal value could significantly shift the momentum in your favor. Mongrel Pack’s token-generation capability makes it a resilient threat in various match-ups.
How to Beat Mongrel Pack
Mongrel Pack is a unique creature card in MTG that offers a special twist during combat. When this creature dies in combat, its controller benefits from creating four 1/1 green Hound creature tokens. A straightforward approach to counter this card is by avoiding the killing of the creature in combat. Instead, using removal spells that bypass the combat phase can effectively negate the Mongrel Pack’s death trigger. Spells like Path to Exile or Unmake work perfectly as they exile instead of destroy.
Another method is to employ cards that impose restrictions on token creation. For instance, cards like Tocatli Honor Guard or Hushbringer prevent the death triggers of creatures like Mongrel Pack from activating. Alternatively, instant-speed board wipes such as Crippling Fear can be activated after blockers are declared, but before combat damage is dealt, wiping out the Mongrel Pack and its potential tokens in one fell swoop.
Understanding the key mechanics of Mongrel Pack allows players to effectively strategize around this card. By either negating its trigger or preventing token generation, you can minimize the card’s impact on the game and maintain control of the battlefield.
Cards like Mongrel Pack
Mongrel Pack offers a unique dimension to creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. When compared to other creatures, Mongrel Pack has a compelling ability: upon its death, it creates four 1/1 green Hound creature tokens. This mirrors the token-generating feature of cards like Sengir Autocrat, which provides multiple Serf tokens. However, unlike Sengir Autocrat, Mongrel Pack’s tokens arrive post-mortem, making it a strategic tool for deterrence.
Another card worth comparing is Doomed Dissenter. Though it generates just a single 2/2 Zombie token upon death, the lower mana cost makes it a more deployable option in the early game. Kalonian Hydra stands in contrast by focusing on doubling +1/+1 counters rather than generating tokens, yet it can abruptly shift the power on the battlefield much like Mongrel Pack’s potential token swarm.
These comparisons shed light on Mongrel Pack’s role within Magic: The Gathering. Its capability to replace itself with multiple bodies gives it an interesting niche, particularly in decks that capitalize on creature presence or ensuing death triggers for strategic advantage.
Cards similar to Mongrel Pack by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mongrel Pack MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and The List, 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 Mongrel Pack and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Mongrel Pack Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 1997-10-14. Illustrated by Jeff Miracola.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mongrel Pack has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mongrel Pack card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The Hound tokens are put onto the battlefield if it dies during the combat phase, even if it was not an attacker or blocker. |
