Vampire Hounds MTG Card
1998-06-15 - Number 77
2015-05-06 - Number 122
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Dog |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Choose and discard a creature card: Vampire Hounds gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
The hounds' barks are a horrifying chorus of screams, moans, and whispers.
Cards like Vampire Hounds
Vampire Hounds is a unique creature card that delves into the mechanics of strength-building through card discard. It stands out among other creature cards in MTG due to its ability to get +2/+2 until end of turn each time a card is discarded. This feature particularly draws a parallel with Wild Mongrel, which also gains +1/+1 for each card discarded and allows you to change its color—an exceptional strategic move for evading color-specific spells.
Another MTG card worth comparing is the Psychatog, which not only enables the player to discard a card for a +1/+1 boost but also allows the exile of two cards from the graveyard to gain additional power. While Vampire Hounds offer the higher immediate power increment, Psychatog’s potential grows significantly with graveyard interaction. This interaction with the graveyard adds a layer of complexity and strategic depth to Psychatog.
Within the vast card library of MTG, Vampire Hounds finds its own niche by offering swift power increases through card discard. It’s an excellent option for a deck strategy centering around self-discard or graveyard synergies, showcasing how versatility in creature abilities can pave the way to victory.
Cards similar to Vampire Hounds by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vampire Hounds offers a powerful synergy with graveyard strategies, effectively letting you utilize your discarded creature cards as a resource. This ability to turn dead cards in your hand into an immediate increase in power and toughness for Vampire Hounds can significantly shift the board in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: This card interacts incredibly well with decks that excel in churning creatures into the graveyard rapidly, thereby speeding up the process of strengthening your battlefield presence. Furthermore, if you’re running a deck with reanimation strategies, Vampire Hounds allows you to set up your graveyard for future payoffs.
Instant Speed: The key feature of Vampire Hounds is the instant speed at which you can discard a creature card to pump its power and toughness. This not only allows you to surprise your opponent by turning a potential blocker into a sizable threat but also gives you the flexibility to adapt your strategies dynamically during the course of gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the challenges when playing Vampire Hounds is the necessity to discard a card for its ability. This can put players at a strategic disadvantage, especially when their hand size is dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Vampire Hounds demands a precise combination of black mana to cast. This can be restrictive and often makes it challenging to include in multi-colored decks without a reliable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher side for its creature stats, Vampire Hounds may not always be the most mana-efficient creature you could play at this stage in a game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vampire Hounds offer a dynamic option for deck builders by allowing instant-speed adjustment of its power. This makes it a valuable card in reanimator or graveyard-centric strategies, fitting seamlessly into various black decks.
Combo Potential: This card collaborates well with decks that have a surplus of creatures or generate tokens, as you can easily sacrifice these to bolster the Hounds’ power, potentially overwhelming your opponent with a sudden surge of strength.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluid nature of the meta, the Vampire Hounds’ adaptability can give players an edge in matches. Its power to scale quickly makes it a formidable presence against opponents, especially in a game state that’s ripe for aggressive tactics.
How to beat
Vampire Hounds, a powerful creature card in MTG, can pose a significant challenge on the battlefield with its unique ability to pump its strength. Players encountering this formidable card need strategic planning to emerge victorious. Utilizing removal spells that can bypass the Hounds’ increasing power is crucial. Cards like Path to Exile or Murder prove to be efficient, as they can remove the creature regardless of its power.
Another tactic involves limiting card resources for your opponent, as Vampire Hounds’ ability requires discarding a card to increase its power and toughness. Employing strategies that restrict the opponent’s hand size or making them discard their cards can essentially neutralize the threat of the Hounds’ growing presence.
In games against Vampire Hounds, timing is everything. Engaging them with instant-speed interactions can catch an opponent off-guard, preventing them from utilizing the creature’s ability effectively. Mastering the art of control and disruption ultimately provides a solid foundation for overcoming the aggressive nature of Vampire Hounds in a MTG match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vampire Hounds 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 Vampire Hounds 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 Vampire Hounds Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-15 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-15 | Exodus | EXO | 77 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 122 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vampire Hounds has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |