Noxious Hatchling MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Wither |
| Released | 2008-07-25 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Eventide |
| Set code | EVE |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 6 |
| Number | 124 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nils Hamm |
Key Takeaways
- Noxious Hatchling offers enhanced card advantage, potentially drawing key removal from opponents in MTG matches.
- The Hatchling’s growth potential accelerates your board presence, notably in black or green spell-heavy decks.
- Instant-speed synergies with Noxious Hatchling allow strategic plays during combat, leveraging Wither for control.
Text of card
Noxious Hatchling comes into play with four -1/-1 counters on it. Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.) Whenever you play a black spell, remove a -1/-1 counter from Noxious Hatchling. Whenever you play a green spell, remove a -1/-1 counter from Noxious Hatchling.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Noxious Hatchling increases its threat potential with each counter removed, especially against decks with plenty of white or green spells. This results in a card that often must be answered quickly, potentially drawing out premium removal from your opponent and improving your card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct resource accelerator, Noxious Hatchling can rapidly become a significant board presence. Growing in power with each spell played, it accelerates your offensive resources by establishing a high-value target that demands an answer.
Instant Speed: While Noxious Hatchling itself is not an instant, it has mechanics that synergize with instant-speed play. Its ability to weaken opposing creatures at instant speed via -1/-1 counters from Wither can be pivotal during combat, tipping the scales in your favor when timing is crucial.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Noxious Hatchling, while lacking a direct discard requirement, can pose a challenge in terms of board presence maintenance. Without careful planning, you could end up losing valuable creatures to keep it powered.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires both black and green mana. This specificity makes it less versatile and could cause complications when building a mana base in a multi-colored deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four, including two specific types of mana, the Noxious Hatchling might compete for space in your deck with other four-mana threats that offer immediate impact or come with lower deck-building restrictions.
Reasons to Include Noxious Hatchling in Your Collection
Versatility: Noxious Hatchling can be a dynamic addition, especially for players running with -1/-1 counter themes. Its ability to grow weaker as you cast black or green spells allows it to adapt and become a substantial threat.
Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well in strategies that manipulate -1/-1 counters. It has the potential to set off a chain of events, especially when combined with proliferate mechanics or other cards that benefit from counters.
Meta-Relevance: With decks in the current meta that may rely on creating and sustaining large creatures, Noxious Hatchling can serve as an answer to otherwise formidable threats, and its evolving nature makes it a card to watch.
How to beat Noxious Hatchling
Noxious Hatchling is a unique card that can pose challenges for players in Magic: The Gathering. This card’s power lies in its growing threat; as it loses -1/-1 counters with every black or green spell you cast, it becomes progressively larger. The Hatchling’s weakness, however, is its initial state upon entering the battlefield, reduced by the four -1/-1 counters that limit its immediate impact.
To effectively counter Noxious Hatchling, consider employing removal spells that can deal with it before your opponent has the chance to grow its power. Instant-speed removals, such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization, can be particularly useful as they can be activated in response to your opponent casting a spell, thus preventing the Hatchling from benefiting from its own ability. Including cards in your deck that can exile or bounce creatures back to the player’s hand grants you the ability to handle the Hatchling before it becomes a significant threat.
Timing is crucial when facing down a card like Noxious Hatchling. Keep in mind that the best moment to act is when your opponent is tapped out or when you have the power to disrupt their plans in the middle of a combo. Take advantage of your knowledge of the opponent’s vulnerabilities, and Noxious Hatchling won’t stand a chance on the battlefield.
Cards like Noxious Hatchling
Noxious Hatchling stands out as an interesting creature card to compare within the ever-growing roster of Magic: The Gathering. This card shares characteristics with several others in the Wither creature family, like Boggart Ram-Gang. Both creatures have the ability to weaken opposing creatures through combat, dealing damage in the form of -1/-1 counters. However, Noxious Hatchling has a slight edge by starting off larger and having the potential to grow.
Another card in the mix is Everlasting Torment, an enchantment that imbues all creatures with Wither and turns off life gain. While not a creature itself, Everlasting Torment can comprehensively alter the dynamics of the board in a way that benefits the same strategic goal as Noxious Hatchling. Yet, the Hatchling is also self-sufficient, able to tip the scales in its own favor as it engages in battles and becomes progressively stronger.
Comparing these options, Noxious Hatchling offers a unique blend of aggression and durability. Its synergy with -1/-1 counter themes makes it a compelling choice, especially for players looking to build decks that counteract or outlast opponents’ creatures through attrition and direct engagement.
Cards similar to Noxious Hatchling by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Noxious Hatchling MTG card by a specific set like Eventide, 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 Noxious Hatchling and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Noxious Hatchling has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Noxious Hatchling card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-08-01 | If there are no -1/-1 counters on it when the triggered ability resolves, the ability does nothing. There is no penalty for not being able to remove a counter. |
| 2008-08-01 | If you cast a spell that’s both of the listed colors, both abilities will trigger. You’ll remove a total of two -1/-1 counters from the Hatchling. |
