Golden Hind MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elk
Released	2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Journey into Nyx
Set code	JOU
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	124
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cyril Van Der Haegen

Key Takeaways

Acts as a mana dork, harnessing mana acceleration from the get-go, crucial for ramp strategies.
Enhances board presence with a solid 2/1 body, more than just a mana source.
Despite its benefits, Golden Hind remains vulnerable to common removal spells and tactics.

Text of card

: Add to your mana pool.

"It is not yours to hunt, mortal. Be content with its beauty alone." —Nylea, god of the hunt

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Golden Hind doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to add an extra green mana to your pool every turn effectively simulates drawing an additional land. This consistent resource increment can be pivotal in outpacing your opponent through accelerated plays.

Resource Acceleration: As a {G} mana dork, Golden Hind is essential for ramping up your mana resources right from the early game. This enables you to cast high-cost creatures and spells sooner than typically possible, giving you a significant advantage in developing your board presence.

Instant Speed: Even though Golden Hind’s ability is not at instant speed, its presence on the battlefield ensures you have additional mana at your disposal whenever necessary. This can lead to surprising your opponent with instant-speed plays since you have freed up other mana sources for reactive spells or creatures with flash.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though it does not ask for a card to be discarded, Golden Hind is subject to removal before you benefit from its mana-generating capability, effectively costing you not just the creature but potentially the spell you planned to cast with its mana.

Specific Mana Cost: Golden Hind requires green mana to be cast, which might restrict its inclusion to green-focused or multi-color decks that can accommodate green mana, reducing its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a two-mana 2/1 creature whose primary role is to ramp, its cost can be a tad inefficient when pitted against faster one-mana dorks or non-creature mana-producing artifacts that are less vulnerable to creature removal.

Reasons to Include Golden Hind in Your Collection

Versatility: Golden Hind is a flexible addition to many deck builds thanks to its ability as a mana dork. This low-cost creature can quickly ramp up your resources, making it easier to play higher-cost spells ahead of curve.

Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate into combos that exploit creatures with the ability to tap for mana, potentially unlocking infinite mana loops when paired with the right cards.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where swift mana acceleration is key, Golden Hind stands out. Its presence on the battlefield can significantly alter the pace of the game, making it a tactically sound pick for competitive play.

How to beat

Golden Hind is a creature card that serves as both an efficient mana dork and a decent attacker in the early game stages of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to tap for one green mana makes it a beneficial accelerant for many green-based decks, particularly those looking to ramp up to larger threats quickly. Despite its strengths, countering Golden Hind can be straightforward.

To effectively neutralize this creature, removal spells are a player’s best friend. Direct damage spells like Shock or Lightning Bolt can take out Golden Hind before it generates substantial mana advantage. Cards providing -1/-1 counter effects, such as Dead Weight, can also dispatch the creature with minimal investment, preventing it from becoming a stepping-stone to larger threats. Alternatively, engaging in one-on-one combat with creatures of similar or greater power can lead to favorable trades, impeding the ramping strategy of your opponent.

Overall, while Golden Hind offers a notable benefit to green ramp decks, its vulnerability to common removal tactics and creature combat interactions make it a manageable card on the battlefield for seasoned players of Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Golden Hind

Golden Hind is a charming mana dork in the landscape of mana-generating creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Much in line with the iconic Llanowar Elves, Golden Hind provides a green mana to your pool with the tap of a card. What makes Golden Hind notable is its status as a creature with a 2/1 stat line, allowing it to be more than just a mana source but also a threat on the board. Unlike Llanowar Elves’ 1/1 frame, Golden Hind can be a more aggressive option.

Elvish Mystic, another green staple, mirrors Llanowar Elves with the same cost and ability but shares the 1/1 stat line. Golden Hind overshadows it slightly with the extra point of power. Mana dorks such as Birds of Paradise offer a different flavor, bringing to the table flying and a rainbow of mana options, however, at the cost of that additional power Golden Hind holds.

Ultimately, each card carries its merit in deck construction. Golden Hind shines through with its versatility in both providing crucial mana and posing as a credible threat in combat, making it a unique asset in MTG decks that capitalize on efficient mana dorks.

Cards similar to Golden Hind by color, type and mana cost

Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions

Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions

Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions

Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions

Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions

Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Golden Hind MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx, 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 Golden Hind and other MTG cards: