Fiend Hunter MTG Card


Fiend Hunter excels at altering creature counts, gaining card advantage without sacrificing hand size. The card’s instant-speed exile disrupts opponents, offering significant tempo and board control. Despite mana cost considerations, Fiend Hunter’s versatility and combo potential make it a solid deck inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

When Fiend Hunter enters the battlefield, you may exile another target creature. When Fiend Hunter leaves the battlefield, return the exiled card to the battlefield under its owner's control.


Cards like Fiend Hunter

Fiend Hunter occupies a unique spot in the pantheon of creature control cards within the world of MTG. Parallel in effectiveness to cards such as Banisher Priest, Fiend Hunter stands out because of its ability to temporarily exile any pesky creatures off the battlefield. Unlike Banisher Priest, Fiend Hunter allows for a two-step process whereby the targeted creature is exiled upon entry and returned only when Fiend Hunter leaves play, offering a window for strategic plays.

Other related cards include Oblivion Ring and Journey to Nowhere, which are non-creature spells that similarly exile targets. While Instant speed removal like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile offers immediate and permanent solutions, Fiend Hunter offers control tempo in a creature package which can be repeated with flicker effects. This interplay adds layers of depth to gameplay, as savvy players can manipulate both the entry and exit triggers for consecutive exiles.

Examining each card for its strategic benefits, Fiend Hunter emerges as a solid choice for those seeking control with creature advantage. Its synergy with flicker and sacrifice mechanics often tips the balance in a tightly contested duel.

Banisher Priest - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Journey to Nowhere - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions
Banisher Priest - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Journey to Nowhere - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Fiend Hunter by color, type and mana cost

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Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Fiend Hunter. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White Death & TaxesMono-White Death & Taxes GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024
Mono-White MidrangeMono-White Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fiend Hunter offers a unique form of card advantage. By exiling an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield, it effectively removes that creature from play, tilting the creature count in your favor without losing card equity.

Resource Acceleration: Though Fiend Hunter doesn’t directly generate mana or treasure, it can contribute to resource acceleration by removing potential blockers or threats. This allows you to attack more safely and optimize the use of your resources on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While Fiend Hunter is a creature with summoning sickness, its ability to exile a target creature operates at instant speed. The moment Fiend Hunter enters the battlefield, it can disrupt an opponent’s strategy immediately, potentially during their turn if you flash him in, giving you tempo and board advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fiend Hunter does not have a discard requirement, ensuring you maintain your current hand size when casting it.

Specific Mana Cost: Fiend Hunter’s mana cost demands both white mana and generic mana, making it restrictive for non-white or colorless decks, thereby limiting its versatility across different MTG formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of three, there are other creatures or removal spells that could operate more efficiently cost-wise. While Fiend Hunter offers a unique exile ability, its casting cost must be weighed against other potential deck inclusions.


Reasons to Include Fiend Hunter in Your Collection

Versatility: Fiend Hunter offers a flexible solution to temporarily remove troubling creatures from the battlefield. This allows it to fit seamlessly into various white-based control or midrange decks, enhancing their defensive capabilities.

Combo Potential: When paired with sacrifice outlets or ways to blink creatures, Fiend Hunter can be part of a powerful combo to indefinitely exile opponent’s creatures. This interaction is a clever way to disrupt your opponent’s game plan.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creature-based strategies dominate, Fiend Hunter serves as a strong tactical response. Its ability to exile key creatures can provide a significant advantage and shift the tide of the game.


How to beat

Fiend Hunter presents a unique challenge in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature with the ability to exile another creature upon entering the battlefield, it can disrupt many strategies by temporarily removing key pieces from the game. The key to overcoming Fiend Hunter lies in recognizing its vulnerability as a creature and utilizing removal spells or abilities that can swiftly target it. When Fiend Hunter leaves the battlefield, the exiled card returns to play, so quick removal can minimize the impact of its exile effect.

Counterspells also provide a preemptive solution, stopping Fiend Hunter before it can exercise its ability. Additionally, combining instant removal spells with sacrifice effects can exploit the stack, whereby you eliminate the Fiend Hunter in response to its exile trigger, but before it resolves, effectively ensuring the targeted creature doesn’t get exiled at all. By staying a step ahead and incorporating these techniques into your deck construction and playstyle, you can adeptly navigate around the disruptive force that is Fiend Hunter.


BurnMana Recommendations

Fiend Hunter’s tactical prowess in MTG is undeniable. Offering more than just a simple creature removal, its entrance and exit mechanics provide a depth of strategy for white-based decks. Beyond its own capabilities, Fiend Hunter synergizes with various other cards to create formidable combos and control the flow of the game. Looking to refine your deck for a competitive edge? Understanding and integrating Fiend Hunter’s interactions can prove to be a game-changer in your MTG journey. Continue on with us to grasp its full potential and craft a deck that’s not just strong, but also thrilling to play.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fiend Hunter MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt, 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 Fiend Hunter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Fiend Hunter Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 152003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
22013-03-15Duel Decks: Sorin vs. TibaltDDK 112003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
32013-11-01Commander 2013C13 112003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 112015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
52017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 102015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
62018-03-16Masters 25A25 142015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
72018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 172015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 1112015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
92020-09-26The ListPLST CMA-102015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
102023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 82015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
112023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 1682015NormalBlackIrina Nordsol

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fiend Hunter has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-12-07 If Fiend Hunter leaves the battlefield before its first ability has resolved, its second ability will trigger and do nothing. Then its first ability will resolve and exile the target creature indefinitely. This is different from abilities on other cards that exile a permanent "until" something happens.
2018-12-07 If a token is exiled this way, it won't return to the battlefield.
2018-12-07 In a multiplayer game, if you lose the game, the creature exiled with Fiend Hunter remains exiled indefinitely. This is also different from abilities on other cards that exile a permanent "until" something happens.
2018-12-07 Once the exiled creature returns, it's considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras attached to the exiled creature will be put into their owners' graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled creature will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled creature will cease to exist.