Thunderous Snapper MTG Card


Draws a card whenever you cast a high-cost spell, enriching your strategic options in-game. Demands deckbuilding around spells of 5 mana or more, limiting its versatility. Competes with other four-mana creatures but excels in specific high-cost spell strategies.
Thunderous Snapper - Throne of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Turtle Hydra
Released2019-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameThrone of Eldraine
Set codeELD
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number215
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohann Bodin

Text of card

Whenever you cast a spell with mana value 5 or greater, draw a card.

While humans hear only a deafening roar, the fae hear music of breathtaking beauty.


Cards like Thunderous Snapper

Thunderous Snapper proves to be a captivating creature card in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering. It shares characteristics with other four-mana-cost creatures, such as River Hoopoe, which also rewards players for casting high-cost spells. River Hoopoe grants life and card draw, but Thunderous Snapper’s card draw trigger is linked to casting spells with a converted mana cost of five or greater, offering a slightly different strategic pathway.

Another card that resonates with Thunderous Snapper’s theme is Rashmi, Eternities Crafter. While Rashmi allows card advantage by revealing and potentially casting the top card of your library whenever you cast your first spell each turn, Thunderous Snapper’s advantage is more focused, yet still versatile, revealing a card that goes into your hand. Both cards are pivotal in fueling the player’s hand with options but with different triggering conditions.

Ultimately, the appeal of Thunderous Snapper in an MTG collection lies in its synergy with high-cost spells, opening avenues for impactful plays while sustaining one’s hand with additional resources. Its resemblance to creatures like River Hoopoe and Rashmi highlight its place within creature-based decks that capitalize on casting powerful spells.

River Hoopoe - MTG Card versions
Rashmi, Eternities Crafter - MTG Card versions
River Hoopoe - MTG Card versions
Rashmi, Eternities Crafter - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thunderous Snapper by color, type and mana cost

Living Airship - MTG Card versions
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Living Airship - MTG Card versions
Adrix and Nev, Twincasters - MTG Card versions
Parcelbeast - MTG Card versions
Grazing Kelpie - MTG Card versions
Swirling Spriggan - MTG Card versions
Jungle Barrier - MTG Card versions
Fathom Mage - MTG Card versions
Horizon Chimera - MTG Card versions
Patagia Viper - MTG Card versions
Ezuri, Claw of Progress - MTG Card versions
Altered Ego - MTG Card versions
Rashmi, Eternities Crafter - MTG Card versions
Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix - MTG Card versions
Master Biomancer - MTG Card versions
Frilled Mystic - MTG Card versions
Zegana, Utopian Speaker - MTG Card versions
Sharktocrab - MTG Card versions
Louvaq, the Aberrant - MTG Card versions
Dormant Sliver - MTG Card versions
Manifestation Sage - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thunderous Snapper shines when it comes to maintaining a robust hand size. With its ability to let you draw a card every time you cast a spell with a converted mana cost of 5 or more, it can help keep your resources plentiful, ensuring you’re never short on options.

Resource Acceleration: This card may not directly produce additional mana or tokens, but it can lead to faster deployment of your threats by efficiently filling your hand with more creatures and spells, allowing for a potentially explosive turn once you reach a critical mass of resources.

Instant Speed: While Thunderous Snapper itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with instant-speed spells in your deck. You can play creatures or other permanents at the end of your opponent’s turn to trigger its ability, keeping your strategy flexible and unpredictable.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Thunderous Snapper demands that you cast a spell with a converted mana cost of 5 or greater to activate its ability. This can be a constraint for players, as it requires a certain deck build around higher cost spells to maximize its potential.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has a hybrid mana cost that includes both green and blue mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that run both colors. Players running mono-colored decks or those that don’t include green and blue may find it difficult to utilize Thunderous Snapper effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, including both green and blue, Thunderous Snapper competes with other impactful four-man cost creatures in the game. Its activation condition could be seen as cumbersome when you could play other creatures or spells that offer immediate impact without additional requirements.


Reasons to Include Thunderous Snapper in Your Collection

Versatility: Thunderous Snapper can seamlessly slot into a variety of decks that are built around casting high-cost spells. Its ability to draw cards whenever you cast a spell with converted mana cost 5 or greater ensures that your hand remains full, keeping your options open during prolonged games.

Combo Potential: This creature has an inherent synergy with decks that aim to cast big spells. Its ability to draw cards can help you dig through your deck to find the pieces of your combo more efficiently, making it an essential component for any build looking to execute a game-winning sequence.

Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating MTG metagame which sometimes favors big-creature and ramp strategies, Thunderous Snapper holds its ground by playing into these archetypes. Plus, with a powerhouse turtle like this, you’re preparing your deck to withstand the common shifts in the competitive landscape, always staying one step ahead.


How to beat

Thunderous Snapper presents a unique challenge in MTG, capitalizing on large spells to draw more cards. Beating this looming Turtle Hydra requires a solid strategy. Foremost, disrupting your opponent’s hand helps, cards like Thoughtseize or Agonizing Remorse can remove key high-mana spells before they’re cast. Creature removal spells, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, are also effective when timed before the opponent casts a four or more power spell that would trigger Thunderous Snapper’s ability.

Another strategy is to outpace the card advantage Thunderous Snapper can provide. Prioritize board presence and pressure with cost-efficient creatures to force unfavorable blocks or to simply outnumber the creature-based strategies. On the flip side, counterspells like Negate or Essence Scatter prevent the opponent from casting their key spells, ensuring Thunderous Snapper’s ability becomes redundant and the creature itself just stands as a minor obstacle.

Ultimately, while Thunderous Snapper can potentially tip the scales with card advantage, preemptive hand disruption, efficient removal, and swamping the board with threats, or holding up counters are all viable ways to ensure it does not become a decisive factor in a game of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you sculpt your MTG deck, considering Thunderous Snapper’s synergies and limitations is key to unlocking its potential. Integrating this card in a deck that thrives on casting hefty spells can be a game-changer. But remember, your deck’s strategy should align with its requirements to harness its full power. Ready to dive deeper into optimizing your MTG arsenal and discovering how Thunderous Snapper can contribute to your victories? We’re here to guide you through crafting your deck and unraveling the strategies that make this card a worthy addition. Immerse yourself in refinement tips and strategic plays that will sharpen your MTG skills.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thunderous Snapper MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Thunderous Snapper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thunderous Snapper 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 Thunderous Snapper 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 For spells with in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell's mana value.
2019-10-04 Thunderous Snapper's ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.