Baloth Packhunter MTG Card


Baloth Packhunter - Arena Beginner Set
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Trample
Released2020-08-13
Set symbol
Set nameArena Beginner Set
Set codeANB
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number90
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byNestor Ossandon Leal

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage and board presence, enhancing creature-based strategies in your game.
  2. Demands careful deck construction due to specific mana needs and potential card discard trade-offs.
  3. Combats utility with meta relevance, making it a noteworthy addition to creature-focused collections.

Text of card

Trample When Baloth Packhunter enters the battlefield, put two +1/+1 counters on each other creature you control named Baloth Packhunter.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Baloth Packhunter is a potent ally in the quest for maintaining a firm grip over the game’s flow. With its ability to bring additional creatures into play, it not only populates the board with valuable assets but also ensures that your hand remains stocked with options, thereby strengthening your strategic position with every draw.

Resource Acceleration: In the realm of mana dynamics, Baloth Packhunter stands out as a remarkable force. Its synergy with other creatures allows for an impressive ramp-up in available resources. This accelerates your gameplay, enabling you to unleash powerful spells and creatures ahead of the usual curve, which can be a decisive factor in outpacing your adversary.

Instant Speed: Versatility at instant speed is not a direct feature of Baloth Packhunter, yet it complements a deck that values such traits. By optimizing your strategy with instant-speed spells, Baloth Packhunter can be cast at the most opportune moment, ensuring your resources are used efficiently, all while maintaining the element of surprise against your opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect to consider with Baloth Packhunter is its discard requirement. To maximize its potential, you often have to part with a valuable card from your hand, which can be a tough decision and a setback if your hand is already scarce on options.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost is another hurdle. Requiring a specific combination of green mana, Baloth Packhunter demands a solid green mana base, potentially limiting deck-building choices and its inclusion in multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While bringing a considerable body to the battlefield, Baloth Packhunter comes with a comparatively high mana cost. This can be quite the investment, especially in faster-paced games where lower-cost creatures could provide a quicker impact on the game’s outcome.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Baloth Packhunter’s ability to beef up other creatures makes it a solid addition to decks that focus on building a powerful board presence. Its value is increased in green-heavy decks that can take full advantage of its synergies with other creature-based strategies.

Combo Potential: This card works well with mechanics that put multiple creatures on the battlefield, such as token generation or “enter the battlefield” effects. Its ability to give a boost to your creature collective allows for potential snowball effects in the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s compatibility with common green mechanics, Baloth Packhunter is relevant in metas where creature-based strategies dominate. It can serve as a lynchpin in ramp decks or bolster midrange decks against control and aggro opponents.


How to Beat Baloth Packhunter

Baloth Packhunter presents a significant challenge on the battlefield with its ability to grow stronger with each beast that enters the fray. Much like other creature-based strategies in MTG, overcoming this card requires a blend of removal and timing. Prioritizing the removal of Baloth Packhunter as soon as it hits the board can disrupt your opponent’s momentum. Cards like Doom Blade or Murder offer clean solutions, instantly dealing with the threat before it can become overwhelming.

Another avenue is to employ countermagic or permission spells, like Counterspell or Essence Scatter, to prevent Baloth Packhunter from entering the battlefield in the first place. This preemptive approach can save your resources and keep your opponent from establishing a commanding presence. Additionally, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the board, nullifying the strength in numbers strategy that Baloth Packhunter relies on.

Overall, combining spot removal, counter strategies, and timely board wipes can efficiently counteract Baloth Packhunter’s impact. By managing the board and keeping the creature count low, you can restrain the Packhunter’s power and maintain control over the game.


Cards like Baloth Packhunter

Baloth Packhunter introduces itself as an intriguing creature card for MTG players who appreciate strength in numbers. A comparable creature in this domain is Scaled Wurm, which, like Baloth Packhunter, brings significant power and toughness to the playing field. However, unlike the Packhunter, Scaled Wurm doesn’t actively contribute to the synergy of the deck by boosting other creatures.

Exploring further, we come across Garruk’s Packleader. This creature shares the Packhunter’s thematic love for empowering fellow beasts. The Packleader delivers card draw every time a creature with substantial power enters the battlefield under your control, whereas Baloth Packhunter is more focused on bolstering the might of other creatures directly. Another fascinating comparison can be made with the formidable Thragtusk, which offers a solid body alongside a life-gain effect and leaves behind a token when it leaves the battlefield. Though not as synergistic in a creature-focused deck, the standalone value of Thragtusk is undeniable.

Ultimately, each of these creatures possesses unique advantages and enriches different strategies within MTG. When considering Baloth Packhunter and its counterparts, MTG players must weigh individual benefits against their deck-building goals and playstyle preferences.

Scaled Wurm - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Packleader - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Scaled Wurm - Ice Age (ICE)
Garruk's Packleader - Magic 2011 (M11)
Thragtusk - Magic 2013 (M13)

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Giant Spider - Tenth Edition (10E)
Marsh Viper - The Dark (DRK)
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Erhnam Djinn - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
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Golden Bear - Portal Second Age (P02)
Argothian Swine - Urza's Saga (USG)
Elvish Piper - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Erithizon - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Saber Ants - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Skyshroud Cutter - Nemesis (NEM)
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Fungusaur - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Viridian Lorebearers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Monkey Monkey Monkey - Unhinged (UNH)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Baloth Packhunter MTG card by a specific set like Arena Beginner Set, 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 Baloth Packhunter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Baloth Packhunter has restrictions

FormatLegality
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal

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