Hagra Constrictor MTG Card


Hagra Constrictor - Zendikar Rising
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Snake
Released2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar Rising
Set codeZNR
Power 0
Toughness 0
Number105
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySimon Dominic

Key Takeaways

  1. Hagra Constrictor excels in granting creatures menace, forcing opponents into unfavorable blocks.
  2. Limited to decks with a full party, it can be less effective when synergy is missing.
  3. Versatile within counter-centric strategies, it significantly enhances creature potency.

Text of card

Hagra Constrictor enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it. Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has menace. (A creature with menace can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Hagra Constrictor shines in matches where card advantage is pivotal. As a creature with a Menace ability, it coerces opponents into over-committing their board presence to block it, often resulting in favorable trades for Constrictor controller.

Resource Acceleration: As an essential cog in any ‘counters strategy’, Hagra Constrictor helps to accelerate the game for its control player. As counters are placed on creatures, their power rapidly increases, speeding up the game’s pace and providing an efficient utilisation of your available resources.

Instant Speed: Unfortunately, Hagra Constrictor does not operate at instant speed as it’s a creature card, but it rewards strategic planning with powerful combats and board states. The menace of this card forces your opponents into tough decisions at a slower pace, where the flexibility of instant speed isn’t as critical.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hagra Constrictor doesn’t directly command a discard, but its “party” mechanic may limit its effectiveness when your group is low on members. To fully benefit from it, you need to have assembled a full party in your team, consisting of at least one each of a Cleric, Rogue, Warrior, and Wizard.

Specific Mana Cost: The energy drain of Hagra Constrictor is specifically two black mana units, limiting its versatility across various deck types. Getting this value, especially for outside mono-black decks, may follow lateness or inconsistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While at three mana units Hagra Constrictor isn’t the most resource-hungry card in the game, it does come in at a higher cost than some alternatives. When considering its power-to-cost ratio, there might be other creature cards offering more value within the same mana range. The challenge lies in balancing your deck around this cost, ensuring that you have sufficient resources late-game to play this card and maximize its potential.


Reasons to Include Hagra Constrictor in Your Collection

Versatility: Hagra Constrictor fits into numerous deck types. Thanks to its ability to buff +1/+1 counters, it can perfectly be integrated into counters-oriented decks or any decks that use lots of creatures strength and toughness manipulation.

Combo Potential: This card finds its potential in combination with other cards that distribute +1/+1 counters. The creatures can become quite threatening with Hagra Constrictor, which gives an additional +1/+1 counter each time a counter is placed on a creature.

Meta-Relevance: Hagra Constrictor’s relevance lies in the current meta which sees a lot of use of +1/+1 counters. Considering this, the card becomes a valuable addition offering an extra bit of strength and toughness to creatures, making it harder for opponents to get rid of them.


How to Beat

Hagra Constrictor is a unique creature in the extensive world of Magic: The Gathering. This card from the Zendikar Rising set is a menace through and through for many players. The Hagra Constrictor, albeit costing just three mana to play, comes with the advantage of adding the menace keyword to each creature card that contains a counter, particularly formidable during a +1/+1 counter deck.

However, it isn’t unassailable. Direct removal spells like Fatal Push or Swords to Plowshares can swiftly take care of the Hagra Constrictor threatening your field. Employing a creature with a deathtouch characteristic can also tear down the constrictor effectively. Moreover, since it’s a black card, it is completely susceptible to spells and abilities that affect black creatures explicitly.

To tackle decks centered on +1/+1 counters which employ the Hagra Constrictor, try including cards that can control counters such as Solemnity or Vampire Hexmage. Your versatile strategy will ensure that you can deflate the constrictor’s canny gameplay and reclaim control.

In conclusion, yes, the Hagra Constrictor is a potent card, particularly in a counter-focused deck. Regardless, knowing its vulnerabilities and incorporating specific spells and creatures into your deck can help you lay down a game-plan to overcome this menace in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Hagra Constrictor card is a true gem for MTG enthusiasts looking to fortify their decks with strategic creature buffs. Knowing its strengths, such as boosting your creatures to become formidable opponents with +1/+1 counters, can significantly alter the tides of the game in your favor. However, also understanding the card’s limitations can prepare you for countering moves your adversaries might employ. It’s all about finding that perfect blend of offense and defense. For those ready to sink their fangs into deeper strategies and seek out cards that complement or challenge the Constrictor, our insights can help refine your deck to unmatched potency. Dive in deeper and augment your MTG prowess with us!


Cards like Hagra Constrictor

Hagra Constrictor makes a notable impact in the pool of creature boost cards in Magic: The Gathering by offering a unique ability. It presents a significant match with cards such as Hooded Blightfang, which similarly provides creature strength enhancements. However, Hagra Constrictor stands out with a characteristic twist – it allows for the addition of additional counters on creatures entering the battlefield.

Consider other cards like Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager. While also boosting power through +1/+1 counters, it diverges with a built-in death trigger, generating a creature token upon its demise. Yet, unlike Hagra Constrictor, Grakmaw does not influence other creatures entering play.

There is also Moraug, Fury of Akoum, another similar card. It differs by focusing on extra combat phases instead of direct creature boosts. However, the added counters from Hagra Constrictor can enhance Moraug’s ferocious ability, giving it a significant advantage in the battlefield.

To sum up, by examining the impact and comparisons with other cards, Hagra Constrictor plays a crucial role in decks focused on +1/+1 counters, creating additional opportunities for strategic gameplay in Magic: The Gathering.

Hooded Blightfang - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Moraug, Fury of Akoum - MTG Card versions
Hooded Blightfang - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Moraug, Fury of Akoum - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hagra Constrictor MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Hagra Constrictor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hagra Constrictor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Hagra Constrictor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-09-25 Multiple instances of menace on the same creature are redundant.

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