Big Game Hunter MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Rebel Assassin
Abilities Madness
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Big Game Hunter excels at removing large creatures, which significantly disrupts opponent strategies.
  2. Madness ability allows for instant-speed casting, offering surprise plays during critical game moments.
  3. Despite its advantages, deck adaptation and resource management must be carefully considered.

Text of card

When Big Game Hunter comes into play, destroy target creature with power 4 or greater. It can't be regenerated. Madness (If you discard this card, you may play it for its madness cost instead of putting it into your graveyard.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Big Game Hunter gives you an edge by allowing you to effectively remove a threat from the board. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and lead to gaining card advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly contributing to resource acceleration, having Big Game Hunter in your deck ensures you have a solution to high-powered creatures that could otherwise deplete your resources. This efficient answer to threats helps maintain your resources for other plays.

Instant Speed: While Big Game Hunter itself is not an instant, it has the valuable mechanic of madness, which can be triggered at instant speed. This means you can potentially cast Big Game Hunter at an unexpected moment, catching your opponent off guard by removing a powerful creature in the middle of combat or at the end of their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in MTG often involves meticulous planning and resource management. With Big Game Hunter, the player faces an added hurdle: A card must be discarded to make use of its Madness ability. In the heat of battle, when every card in hand could turn the tide, being compelled to discard can often feel like a strategic setback.

Specific Mana Cost: Tailoring your deck to the rhythm of your game plan is key in MTG. Big Game Hunter demands a precise mana arrangement, one black mana and two of any other type. This specific requirement can clash with the fluid mana base of many multi-colored or non-black decks, potentially causing a wrench in your mana curve and affecting your play dynamics.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The magic of MTG lies in the seamless synergy between your cards and strategies. Costing three mana might seem modest, but in the realm of MTG, there are alternatives that may provide more efficient creature removal or board control options without such an investment. Thrifty players are often on the lookout for the most cost-effective cards to enhance their deck’s performance.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Big Game Hunter is not only excellent for pinpoint removal of large creatures, but its low casting cost also makes it an efficient tool in a pinch. The inclusion of this card can bolster any deck’s ability to handle sizable threats.

Combo Potential: When combined with ways to consistently return creatures to hand or the battlefield, this card becomes a repeatable source of creature control. Decks that manipulate their graveyard can leverage Big Game Hunter for recurring value throughout the game.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-heavy decks continue to be a force in the game, having a reliable and economic answer like Big Game Hunter keeps your deck competitive. Its unique ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies by eliminating their key creatures ensures that your deck can remain adaptable to a diverse range of opponents.


How to beat

The unique capabilities of Big Game Hunter can cause quite the stir on the battlefield in MTG. This efficient creature card is adept at bringing down large threats with its targeted destruction ability. Removing crucial creatures from an opponent’s game can severely disrupt their strategy, making Big Game Hunter a card to be wary of. To counteract this, ensure your deck has counterspells ready, specifically ones that can be cast for a low cost to avoid falling behind on resources.

Moreover, include cards that grant hexproof or indestructibility to your essential creatures to ward off the hunter’s deadly ability. Another approach is to limit the number of high-powered creatures in your deck to reduce Big Game Hunter’s impact. Utilizing cards that can swiftly bring creatures back from the graveyard also helps mitigate the potential tempo loss from this card’s effect.

Overall, the key to outmaneuvering Big Game Hunter lies in preparedness and adaptability. Incorporate strategies that protect your creatures, counteract removal, or recover from losses quickly. This way, the hunter becomes less of a threat and more of a minor nuisance in the grand scheme of your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you dive deeper into the realm of MTG, considering Big Game Hunter for your collection can greatly enhance your tactical edge. With its targeted removal for larger creatures, it can be the perfect ambush for your opponent’s heavy hitters. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of including such a card in your deck, taking into account your strategy and mana curve. For those looking to sharpen their decks with precision and versatility, understanding Big Game Hunter’s role is crucial. Visit us for more insights and strategies to incorporate this card into your arsenal and secure your victories.


Cards like Big Game Hunter

Big Game Hunter offers a unique twist in the realm of creature removal spells within Magic: The Gathering. It’s similar in effect to cards like Doom Blade, which also serves the purpose of destroying target creatures. However, Big Game Hunter has a niche focus; it specifically targets creatures with power 4 or greater and comes with a build-in recycling mechanism through its Madness ability. Doom Blade, while cheaper, doesn’t provide such flexibility and also cannot affect black creatures.

Turning to Deadly Rollick, another comparable removal, this card provides the convenience of being freely cast if you have your commander, but it cannot be reused like Big Game Hunter which can be cycled back from the graveyard under the right conditions. On a different note, Murderous Rider offers a two-for-one solution, destroying a creature or planeswalker and then transforming into a creature itself. Yet, it doesn’t have the lower cost potential nor the selective criteria that makes Big Game Hunter valuable in decks looking to efficiently deal with large threats.

When evaluating removal options for player arsenals, Big Game Hunter holds its ground with a mix of targeted destruction and advantageous recursion capabilities, marking its territory in tactics that capitalize on precision and reusability.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Deadly Rollick - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - Magic 2010 (M10)
Deadly Rollick - Commander 2020 (C20)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Big Game Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Commander 2019, 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 Big Game Hunter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Big Game Hunter Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Carl Critchlow.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-02-02Planar ChaosPLC 632003normalblackCarl Critchlow
22019-08-23Commander 2019C19 1062015normalblackCarl Critchlow
32021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1022015normalblackCarl Critchlow

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Big Game Hunter has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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