Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior Werewolf |
| Abilities | Transform |
| Released | 2016-04-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shadows over Innistrad |
| Set code | SOI |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 229 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Transform |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Craig J Spearing |
Key Takeaways
- Offers a transform mechanic, using a single card to alternate between two creature forms.
- Encourages strategies that benefit from not casting spells on one’s turn.
- Requires specific playstyles to harness its full transformative potential.
Text of card
At the beginning of each upkeep, if no spells were cast last turn, transform Solitary Hunter.
"Making a living in Kessig is hard, but I've learned some tricks of the trade."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack offers a unique transformation mechanic, effectively providing two creatures in one card. This feature can lead to a significant advantage in board presence without depleting your hand, as the card flips from a solitary hunter into the formidable One of the Pack under the right conditions.
Resource Acceleration: In the latter form, One of the Pack, the creature’s beefed-up stats can accelerate the pace at which you diminish your opponent’s life total. While not a direct form of mana acceleration, its power in combat can prompt an opponent to focus resources on it, potentially freeing up other avenues of attack for you.
Instant Speed: The flipping condition for Solitary Hunter relies on players not casting spells during their own turn, which synergizes perfectly with an instant-speed centric strategy. By not casting spells on your turn, you encourage the transformation into One of the Pack, while keeping mana available for instant-speed interaction and bluffing potential during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the challenges with Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack is that it necessitates building around certain playstyles or mechanics to maximize its transformation potential, which might not align with every player’s strategy or available card pool.
Specific Mana Cost: Solitary Hunter requires a specific arrangement of mana – one green and three others – for casting. This can potentially restrict deck-building options as you need to ensure a reliable source of green mana is available early on to deploy the creature on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although a four-mana cost for a 3/4 creature is on curve, in many cases, there are creatures or spells at the same mana cost that could offer immediate impact or additional benefits upon entering the battlefield. Solitary Hunter, therefore, might not always be the most mana-efficient choice when considering other options available within the game.
Reasons to Include Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack in Your Collection
Versatility: Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack shines in its flexibility to suit various strategies. In its initial form, it’s a solid creature that scales with the game. Once it transforms into One of the Pack, it becomes a formidable threat that can dominate the board.
Combo Potential: This card holds potential for combo play, particularly in decks that manipulate the number of spells cast each turn to ensure its transformation. Once transformed, it can also synergize with other werewolves or cards that benefit from flipping.
Meta-Relevance: Given the shifting nature of the metagame, a card that can adapt to both aggressive and more controlled environments is invaluable. If the game slows down, it transforms; if it speeds up, you have a robust early game creature—making Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack relevant in multiple scenarios.
How to beat
Solitary Hunter is a versatile card that shines in Magic: The Gathering’s transform mechanic. On one side, it’s a formidable creature that can flip into One of the Pack, an even greater threat with its power boost. Dealing with this double-faced card requires a strategic approach. Keeping spell casting frequent, especially during your own turn, ensures the Hunter doesn’t transform, maintaining a manageable threat level.
To tackle this shapeshifter, you might want to keep removal spells at the ready. Efficient removal such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can handle both sides of this lycanthrope before your opponent can leverage its full potential. Alternatively, counterspells like Mana Leak can preemptively deal with it when cast, avoiding the flip altogether. And don’t forget, board wipes like Wrath of God are always an option to reset the board if things get out of hand.
In essence, Solitary Hunter demands respect on the battlefield. By controlling the flow of spells and keeping removal tools in hand, you can prevent the Hunter from running wild. Successful management of this dual-threat requires a balance between tactical spell casting and timely removal, ensuring your opponent’s pack mentality never fully materializes.
Cards like Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack
Solitary Hunter holds a unique place in the realm of creature cards in MTG. This werewolf creature has similarities to other transforming creatures like Lambholt Pacifist. Both require the game state to meet specific conditions before they flip into their more powerful forms. What sets Solitary Hunter apart is that upon transformation into One of the Pack, it becomes a force with formidable power and toughness.
Another card that shares a transforming ability is Moonmist, which instantly transmutes all human werewolves. This gives a sudden tactical advantage, though it lacks the vanilla state that Solitary Hunter can reliably deploy. Kruin Outlaw follows the same transformational route, but unlike Solitary Hunter, it provides an additional effect, granting double strike to your transformed werewolves, emphasizing an aggressive strategy.
In essence, while there are various transforming creatures in MTG, Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack offers both early game presence and a straightforward late-game threat that synergizes well within werewolf decks, and can stand as a solid pick for those looking to apply pressure through creature transformation.
Cards similar to Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack 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 Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Solitary Hunter // One of the Pack card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | The abilities that transform a Werewolf back and forth look at the entire previous turn, even if the Werewolf with that ability wasn’t on the battlefield for some or all of that turn. |
| 2016-04-08 | To trigger the Werewolf’s back face’s transform ability, a single player must have cast two or more spells during the previous turn. If multiple players each cast just one spell during the previous turn, the ability won’t trigger. |
| 2016-07-13 | For more information on double-faced cards, see the Shadows over Innistrad mechanics article (http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/shadows-over-innistrad-mechanics). |
