Caller of the Hunt MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Power	*
Toughness	*
Number	233
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Clyde Caldwell

Key Takeaways

Caller of the Hunt excels in tribal decks, multiplying potential tribal card synergies and effects.
The card may restrict deck flexibility due to its specific mana requirement and higher cost.
Adept MTG players can neutralize Caller of the Hunt with timely removals and board control.

Text of card

As you play Caller of the Hunt, choose a creature type. Caller of the Hunt's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures in play of the chosen type.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Caller of the Hunt can be a significant presence on the battlefield, allowing you to potentially create multiple creatures with shared creature type, which could translate into drawing more cards if synergized with tribal support mechanics.

Resource Acceleration: While Caller of the Hunt itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can be a key piece in decks that capitalize on creature count to unlock potent effects faster, essentially acting as a force multiplier for your resource generation tactics.

Instant Speed: The ability to play creatures at instant speed is a tactical advantage in Magic, and while Caller of the Hunt doesn’t have this ability innately, it can benefit significantly from such spells or flash-enabling permanents, giving you strategic flexibility during gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This card doesn’t directly require a discard, but its tribal aspect could lead to indirect card disadvantage. In order to optimize its use, players often have to hold creature cards of the chosen type in hand, which can limit strategic options and potentially result in discarded opportunities from other cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Caller of the Hunt comes with a fairly specific mana cost, requiring three green mana. This can be tough to muster in multi-colored decks, especially in the early game when mana flexibility is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s entry onto the battlefield is pegged at a somewhat steep cost of three green mana plus one of any color. In comparison, there may be more economical creatures or spells that offer immediate value or have lower summoning criteria, providing faster tempo and board presence.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Caller of the Hunt offers a unique addition to any deck that focuses on creature types, adapting to the chosen type you prefer and enhancing tribal synergies.

Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well with cards that care about creature types or numbers, allowing for dynamic interactions and unexpected advantages in gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where tribal decks are flourishing, Caller of the Hunt seamlessly integrates into the environment, bolstering the power of your existing tribal strategies.

How to beat

Caller of the Hunt presents a unique challenge for MTG players with its versatile characteristic of matching the creature type of your choice. Overcoming this card requires strategic play and a well-thought-out deck composition. One effective strategy is to limit the card’s impact by controlling the board with sweepers, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which can clear the field regardless of creature types established by Caller of the Hunt.

Additionally, employing spot removal spells like Path to Exile or Murder can efficiently deal with it before its variable creature type effect becomes a significant threat. Utilizing graveyard disruption mechanics can also be a key to impeding Caller of the Hunt’s potential recursion from graveyard-to-play effects which some decks might use to their advantage.

Ultimately, facing off against Caller of the Hunt is about timing and resource management. Optimizing the use of your removal at the correct moment ensures that the advantage provided by the creature’s chameleon-like nature is rendered ineffectual, securing a more stable path to victory in your MTG matches.

Cards like Caller of the Hunt

Caller of the Hunt joins the ranks of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering that offer players a unique versatility. It’s often compared to cards like Chameleon Colossus which, much like Caller of the Hunt, can fit into any tribal deck due to its changeling ability. However, Caller of the Hunt presents a distinctive twist, as it allows players to choose a creature type, which could potentially suit various strategic needs, unlike the fixed types provided by the Colossus.

Another card worth discussing is Adaptive Automaton, a creature that also adapts to any chosen creature type, enhancing the synergy within a tribal deck. While Caller of the Hunt has the potential for unlimited power and toughness scaling based on the creature type chosen, Adaptive Automaton is limited to a modest stat boost but comes with the added advantage of bolstering other creatures of the chosen type.

In terms of tribal synergy and potential for gameplay impact, Caller of the Hunt stands out for its ability to adapt and grow within the right deck, making it a potent card to consider in creature-type-focused strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Balancing its variable stats with the consistent boost from Adaptive Automaton can be key to mastery in tribal deck building.

Cards similar to Caller of the Hunt by color, type and mana cost

Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions

Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions

Shizuko, Caller of Autumn - MTG Card versions

Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Caller of the Hunt MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Caller of the Hunt and other MTG cards: