Hobblefiend MTG Card


Hobblefiend - Core Set 2021
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Devil
Abilities Trample
Released2020-07-03
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2021
Set codeM21
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number152
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byNicholas Gregory

Key Takeaways

  1. Hobblefiend enables card advantage and strategic plays by sacing creatures at instant speed.
  2. Growth through sacrifice makes Hobblefiend a formidable, pressure-inducing force.
  3. Despite mana limitations, Hobblefiend’s versatility makes it a valuable addition to red decks.

Text of card

Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.) , Sacrifice another creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on Hobblefiend.

Bedbugs aren't the only things you need to worry about biting you at night.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: By providing a continuous outlet for excess creature tokens or creatures that have outlived their usefulness, Hobblefiend can be instrumental in edging out card advantage. Sacing a creature might seem counterproductive, but it paves the way for more strategic plays.

Resource Acceleration: Hobblefiend’s ability to grow with each sacrifice makes it a formidable force, potentially accelerating your win condition as it becomes a larger threat each turn. This incremental growth can turn it into a significant pressure point for your opponent.

Instant Speed: The beauty of Hobblefiend lies in its ability to operate at instant speed. This means you can respond to removal, blocks, or other actions by sacking a creature and buffing Hobblefiend, making it both reactive and unexpectedly strategic during combat phases or at the end of an opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hobblefiend necessitates the sacrifice of another creature to activate its ability, which might be costly if your board presence is lacking.

Specific Mana Cost: Hobblefiend’s activation cost is tied exclusively to red mana, potentially making it less flexible in multi-color decks where red mana may not be as readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Hobblefiend itself is not overly expensive, consistently utilizing its ability requires a steady stream of creatures which could make it less efficient compared to other utility creatures in similar mana ranges.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hobblefiend is a creature that seamlessly slots into various red-based decks, offering an accessible sacrifice outlet. This ability is particularly beneficial for strategies revolving around synergies with creatures dying or entering the battlefield.

Combo Potential: Hobblefiend’s innate trample and sacrifice mechanism enable numerous combo opportunities. As you sacrifice a creature, not only does it grow in power, it can also trigger other abilities that activate whenever a creature dies, further advancing your board state.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta flush with small creature strategies or graveyard play, Hobblefiend offers value as both an aggressor and a way to navigate around potential graveyard hate. Its adaptability in dealing with a diverse array of threats makes it a card worth considering for your red-centric decks.


How to beat Hobblefiend

The Hobblefiend card in Magic: The Gathering presents a mutable threat on the battlefield, known for its ability to grow via its creature sacrificing mechanic. When facing Hobblefiend, it’s strategic to inhibit its ability to escalate by controlling the number of creatures your opponent has at their disposal. Cards like Culling the Weak can dismantle the opponent’s creature base, making it difficult for Hobblefiend to increase in power.

Removal spells are also a key tactic to dispatch Hobblefiend before it becomes a more considerable problem. Swift Response or Grasp of Darkness can eliminate Hobblefiend without it getting the chance to use its ability. It’s crucial to be preemptive and not let Hobblefiend become too large a threat that it overwhelms your defenses.

Moreover, leveraging enchantments like Pacifism to lock down Hobblefiend prevents it from attacking or defending, making the creature virtually obsolete. Be vigilant, plan your moves ahead, and Hobblefiend can be effectively neutralized, maintaining control of the game pace and steering towards victory.


Cards like Hobblefiend

Hobblefiend is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that finds its niche within the red deck realm. This card shines in its ability to grow stronger through its creature sacrifice feature, making it an aggressive asset on the battlefield. Looking at cards with similar mechanics, we see that Carrion Feeder from the classic sets also thrives by sacrificing other creatures to beef up its stats. Unlike Hobblefiend, Carrion Feeder can’t gain trample, but it has the advantage of being a one-mana creature, allowing for an earlier play.

Act of Treason is another spell that can function in tandem with Hobblefiend. Although not a creature, Act of Treason can temporarily seize control of an opponent’s creature, which can then be sacrificed to empower Hobblefiend. This synergy can turn the tides by not only strengthening your creature but also disrupting your opponent’s board. Further afield is Bloodthrone Vampire, offering a similar sacrifice outlet. Nevertheless, it falls behind Hobblefiend as it lacks the incremental trample ability which is crucial for dealing direct damage to opponents.

In the context of cards with interchangeable functionalities, Hobblefiend stands out with its trample capability and potential for unlimited growth, provided you have the creatures to sacrifice, making it a formidable choice in creature-centric red decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Carrion Feeder - MTG Card versions
Act of Treason - MTG Card versions
Bloodthrone Vampire - MTG Card versions
Carrion Feeder - Scourge (SCG)
Act of Treason - Magic 2010 (M10)
Bloodthrone Vampire - URL/Convention Promos (PURL)

Cards similar to Hobblefiend by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Ironclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Goblin Raider - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Utvara Scalper - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Ironclaw Orcs - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Goblin Raider - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Utvara Scalper - Dissension (DIS)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hobblefiend MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021, 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 Hobblefiend and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hobblefiend has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

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