Will of the All-Hunter MTG Card


Will of the All-Hunter - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Cycling
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Number38
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byViktor Titov

Key Takeaways

  1. Grants card advantage by reanimating creatures with a bonus +1/+1 counter, using the graveyard as a resource.
  2. Can be cast at instant speed for tactical flexibility during combat or in response to opponent actions.
  3. Demands color commitment and discard, which might limit its utility in some deck constructions.

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. If it's blocking, instead put two +1/+1 counters on it. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

"It's Snapdax. You'd have a better chance of breaching a wall with a slice of bread." —Krek, daysquad captain


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Will of the All-Hunter offers the ability to return a creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield with a bonus +1/+1 counter, which not only bolsters your field presence but also effectively generates card advantage by utilizing your graveyard as a resource.

Resource Acceleration: While Will of the All-Hunter doesn’t directly produce resources like mana or tokens, its ability to replenish your board with powerful creatures can lead to subsequent plays that further accelerate your game plan, indirectly benefiting your resource management.

Instant Speed: The fact that Will of the All-Hunter can be cast at instant speed provides you with tactical flexibility. You can wait until the most opportune moment during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s action to maximize its impact, catching opponents off guard and adapting swiftly to changing battlefield conditions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Invokes a cost that demands you discard another card, potentially depleting precious hand resources at a moment when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitates a dedicated color commitment (Green and White), possibly restricting deck flexibility and constraining it to specific archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that can be seen as steep for the effect provided, it may not always represent the best use of your mana resources, especially when faced with faster paced competition.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Will of the All-Hunter can snugly fit into a broad array of decks, from those utilizing +1/+1 counters to those aiming to protect key creatures. Its ability to be cast from the graveyard also offers repeated value and resilience throughout the game.

Combo Potential: This card excels in synergy with strategies that capitalize on bolstering creatures, triggering prowess-like effects, or simply needing an instant speed trick to turn the tide. It pairs exceptionally well with cards that benefit either from spell cast or creature boost.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to outmaneuver opponent’s removals and surprise combat tricks, Will of the All-Hunter maintains relevance. It shines in environments saturated with control elements, allowing you to preserve and empower your creatures against a plethora of threats.


How to beat

Will of the All-Hunter is a unique MTG card that provides a significant boon by offering creatures an unexpected power-up via its instant boost and returning mechanic from the graveyard to the battlefield. Unlike enchantment auras that stay on the field, Will of the All-Hunter serves its purpose from the shadows of the graveyard, potentially turning the tide of a match.

To outmaneuver this card, consider timing your removal spells after the creature has been targeted by Will of the All-Hunter. By doing this, you eliminate the creature and effectively waste your opponent’s card. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void, or Tormod’s Crypt can also be critical in countering Will of the All-Hunter by removing the card from consideration altogether. Additionally, counterspells remain an effective tool, denying the card’s casting before it can ever take effect. Including these tactics in your strategy can keep the Will of the All-Hunter from realizing its full potential on your match.

Understanding the mechanics and timing of Will of the All-Hunter is key. Countering it requires precise intervention and strategic deck construction. Keep these tips in mind when facing this spell and you’ll enhance your chances of maintaining control over the battlefield.


Cards like Will of the All-Hunter

Will of the All-Hunter is an intriguing instant spell in Magic: The Gathering, providing both creature boosting and potential for reanimation. In comparison, Unbreakable Formation is another card that grants indestructible to your creatures, albeit with the additional bonus of bolstering them if cast during your main phase. While it does not bring back creatures from the graveyard like Will of the All-Hunter, it does offer a defensive blanket for all creatures and a conditional buff.

Gods Willing, on the other hand, is another instant that offers protection by making a single creature not just indestructible, but also untargetable by a color of your choice this turn – a useful tool for tactical plays. It’s a more focused protective measure and includes scrying, though it lacks Will of the All-Hunter’s ability to return creatures from the graveyard to play. Dauntless Escort serves as another noteworthy mention, a creature card that at the cost of sacrificing itself, can shield all other creatures you control from destruction.

Each card brings something unique to the table, but Will of the All-Hunter stands out particularly in strategies that are synergy-focused on individual creatures. It combines immediate combat tricks with long-term value through its graveyard retrieval capacity, a combo that’s relatively uncommon and valuable in MTG.

Unbreakable Formation - MTG Card versions
Gods Willing - MTG Card versions
Dauntless Escort - MTG Card versions
Unbreakable Formation - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Gods Willing - Theros (THS)
Dauntless Escort - Alara Reborn (ARB)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Will of the All-Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Will of the All-Hunter and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Will of the All-Hunter has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Will of the All-Hunter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-04-17 Once a creature blocks, it remains a blocking creature through the end of combat step, even if the attacking creature dies or leaves combat.

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