Hound of Griselbrand MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elemental Dog
Abilities	Double strike,Undying
Released	2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Avacyn Restored
Set code	AVR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	141
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Svetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

Undying mechanic grants Hound of Griselbrand a significant return-on-destruction benefit for players.
Double strike ability provides potent offensive and resource efficient plays in matches.
High mana cost and discard conditions may limit its fit across various deck types.

Text of card

Double strike Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hound of Griselbrand offers resilience and staying power, with Undying giving you a built-in means of card advantage by bringing the creature back stronger after death.

Resource Acceleration: With a double strike ability, this card can effectively deal twice the damage or take down two creatures in one turn, generating a more efficient use of your available board resources.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the card’s 4/4 stats post-Undying mean it is an immediate and significant threat that can surprise opponents not ready to deal with a creature of its boosted power level after an instant-speed removal has been used on it the first time.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside to using the Hound of Griselbrand in your deck is the discard requirement that comes with its Undying ability. While this creature is poised to come back with a +1/+1 counter after death, triggering its most advantageous feature often requires a card to be thrown away, which could leave you at a deficit if your hand is already sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: Another consideration when including the Hound of Griselbrand in your strategy is its specific mana cost. At two red mana along with two generic mana, this card may not be easily accommodated in multicolored decks that do not focus heavily on red mana sources, potentially restricting its playability to certain archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Lastly, weighing in its effectiveness, the Hound of Griselbrand comes at a comparatively high mana cost. Four mana for a creature with the base stats of 2/2 might not seem like optimal value, especially considering other creatures in the same mana range may offer immediate impact on the board or come with built-in resilience to removal without the extra cost of discarding cards.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hound of Griselbrand is a flexible option for a variety of strategies. Its undying mechanic allows it to be a resilient threat in aggro decks as well as a reliable blocker in midrange setups.

Combo Potential: This creature can become an integral part of combos in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters or exploit the undying mechanic. Its ability to return to the battlefield makes it an excellent choice for sacrifice-based synergies or power boosting combinations.

Meta-Relevance: Given the right meta conditions, where games are often decided by creature presence and combat tricks, Hound of Griselbrand can be a game-changer. Its undying capability helps maintain board presence and apply consistent pressure on opponents.

How to beat

Hound of Griselbrand presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering due to its Undying ability. This quality allows it to return to the field with a +1/+1 counter after it dies, which can catch unprepared players off guard. However, there are strategies to counter this resilient creature effectively.

To ensure the Hound doesn’t come back, exile effects are excellent tools. Cards like Path to Exile can remove the Hound from the game entirely, bypassing the Undying ability. Another method is to utilize spells that reduce toughness to zero, such as Fatal Push, which will effectively deal with the creature without triggering Undying. Additionally, countering its initial casting with spells like Counterspell prevents it from entering the battlefield in the first place.

Remember, managing graveyard-based strategies is key. By using cards like Rest in Peace, you can remove the graveyard from play, making Undying irrelevant. When engaging with the Hound of Griselbrand, having a flexible response plan and utilizing these strategies can tip the balance to your favor, enabling you to maintain control over the game state.

Cards like Hound of Griselbrand

Hound of Griselbrand brings a unique spin to the board with its undying ability, standing out amongst MTG’s double-strike creatures. Its similarity to other double-strike creatures, like Skyhunter Skirmisher, is evident in their capacity to deal damage twice per combat phase. However, Hound of Griselbrand carves its niche with the added resilience provided by undying, granting it a second life with a +1/+1 counter after it dies.

When considering alternatives, we can look at Fencing Ace, another creature with double strike. Fencing Ace is lower on the mana curve, making it a quicker option on the battlefield. Yet, it lacks the tenacity granted by the undying mechanic. On the other end of the spectrum, we encounter Flameborn Hellion, a creature that while not having double strike, comes with haste and a hearty power of 5, posing an immediate threat.

All things considered, Hound of Griselbrand holds a place of reverence in decks focusing on longevity and repeated combat pressure. Its power to return stronger after falling in battle provides a strategic asset beyond just double strike, making it a formidable force in gameplay scenarios that favor persistence and resilience.

Skyhunter Skirmisher - MTG Card versions

Flameborn Hellion - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Hound of Griselbrand by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Dragon Whelp - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)

Keldon Warlord - Collectors' Edition (CED)

Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)

Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hound of Griselbrand MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Hound of Griselbrand and other MTG cards: