Hunter of Eyeblights MTG Card
2007-10-12 - Number 119
2019-11-07 - Number 688
2020-09-26 - Number LRW-119
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Elf Assassin |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Hunter of Eyeblights excels in creature control, turning counters into a pathway for board dominance.
- Multifaceted use, synergy with counter strategies, and meta relevance make it a versatile collection addition.
- Despite its higher cost and specific mana needs, strategic play can mitigate these potential cons.
Text of card
When Hunter of Eyeblights comes into play, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you don't control. , : Destroy target creature with a counter on it.
Snokk ran as fast as he could, but the sound of hooves grew ever louder in his ears.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Hunter of Eyeblights offers a unique form of card advantage by enabling you to potentially remove multiple creatures from your opponent’s board. Each +1/+1 counter placed on it also signifies one less threat to worry about, turning the tide of creature control in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana resources, Hunter of Eyeblights can help accelerate your board presence. Efficient creature removal can be considered a form of resource acceleration, as it allows you to more safely develop your board without the pressure of opposing threats.
Instant Speed: This creature doesn’t have instant speed itself, but its ability can be used at any time you could cast an instant. This flexibility lets you strategically choose the most opportune time to place a counter and eliminate a target, perhaps in response to an opponent’s actions or at the end of their turn for maximum surprise and board impact.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Hunter of Eyeblights requires a +1/+1 counter on a creature to activate its ability. For players without consistent counter generation, this can be a restriction, potentially leaving the card idle on the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost includes both black and generic mana, demanding a focused mana base in your deck. This can be restrictive for multi-colored decks that might not always have the required black mana sources readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of five, Hunter of Eyeblights’s ability to destroy creatures comes at a steep price. There are alternative creature removal cards that offer lower mana solutions, potentially making Hunter of Eyeblights less desirable in a deck that values efficiency and speed.
Reasons to Include Hunter of Eyeblights in Your Collection
Versatility: Hunter of Eyeblights is a unique creature card that offers flexibility in its ability to manage the battlefield. Capable of placing +1/+1 counters and then using them to eliminate threats, it can adapt to various game situations and be a valuable asset in counter-centric decks.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to put counters on creatures pairs well with numerous counter manipulation mechanics available in the game. This can lead to synergistic interactions, empowering strategies that rely on proliferate, evolve, or other counter-related themes.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature strategies often dominate, Hunter of Eyeblights has the potential to be a game-changer by selectively removing key creatures opposing your win conditions, making it a relevant choice for decks that need targeted removal options.
How to beat
Hunter of Eyeblights is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can become quite formidable if left unchecked on the battlefield. It thrives on targeting creatures with -1/-1 counters to build its own power. Dealing with this creature effectively requires strategy and understanding the mechanics at play.
One effective method to overcome Hunter of Eyeblights is to limit its ability to place counters on creatures. Utilizing hexproof or shroud abilities can prevent it from targeting your creatures. Additionally, since the Hunter needs counters already on creatures to be fully effective, using removal spells before counters can be placed disrupts its game plan. Board wipes serve as an excellent solution as they reset the board, negating the Hunter’s accumulated power.
Another tactic is leveraging instant-speed removal to eliminate the Hunter before it has an opportunity to capitalize on its strength. Timing is key; disrupting your opponent’s strategy before they can use the Hunter’s ability to its fullest could turn the tides in your favor. It’s critical to keep the pressure on and not allow the Hunter to dictate the pace of the game.
Cards like Hunter of Eyeblights
Hunter of Eyeblights offers a unique take on creature control within Magic: The Gathering, similar in function to cards that manipulate counters for a tactical advantage. The Owl of Devourment, for instance, also plays the counter game, yet it focuses on placing them on itself for a different type of benefit. Hunter of Eyeblights, in contrast, uses its ability to remove threats by placing counters on opponents’ creatures and then siphoning them away.
Comparatively, Vampire Hexmage serves as another point of reference. It can instantly remove all counters from a single target, which includes negating +1/+1 counters and even stripping the omnipotence from planeswalkers. While it doesn’t provide the ongoing utility of Hunter of Eyeblights, Vampire Hexmage’s one-shot capability is undeniably powerful for its speed and surprise factor. Then we have the proliferate mechanic found on cards such as Thrummingbird, which can synergize with Hunter of Eyeblights by increasing the number of counters on an affected creature, setting it up for imminent doom.
Examining these cards side-by-side showcases Hunter of Eyeblights’ notable role in the counter-centric strategy, positioning it as a compelling choice for players who enjoy the intricate playstyle of manipulating and exploiting counters in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Hunter of Eyeblights by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Hunter of Eyeblights MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Mystery Booster, 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 Hunter of Eyeblights 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
Printings
The Hunter of Eyeblights Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-10-12 | Lorwyn | LRW | 119 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 688 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | LRW-119 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Hunter of Eyeblights has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hunter of Eyeblights card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-10-01 | The activated ability can target a creature with any kind of counter on it, not just a +1/+1 counter. |
