Haakon, Stromgald Scourge MTG Card


Haakon enables casting knights from the graveyard, providing an advantage in card economy. Demanding specific mana and requiring discard to cast, he offers high power at a complexity cost. Despite constraints, Haakon ensures knights’ resilience, making him a valuable strategic asset.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Zombie Knight
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

You may play Haakon, Stromgald Scourge from your graveyard, but not from anywhere else. As long as Haakon is in play, you may play Knight cards from your graveyard. When Haakon is put into a graveyard from play, you lose 2 life.


Cards like Haakon, Stromgald Scourge

Haakon, Stromgald Scourge offers a unique twist on creature playability in Magic: The Gathering, surrounded by similar graveyard-utilizing cards. As a card that can be played exclusively from the graveyard, Haakon makes it possible to cast Knight spells from this unconventional zone. This gives players a strategic advantage, especially in decks centered around graveyard synergy and recursion.

Comparatively, other creatures like Bloodghast present themselves with a different approach to graveyard interaction. Bloodghast, which also comes back from the graveyard, does so when a land enters the battlefield under your control, without the requirement to cast it. It lacks Haakon’s synergy with Knight spells but provides consistent board presence. Additionally, the legendary Alesha, Who Smiles at Death, bears resemblance in her ability to resurrect creatures with lower power from the graveyard during combat, effectively utilizing the graveyard as a resource.

Ultimately, Haakon, Stromgald Scourge provides a niche role in MTG, aligning with decks that benefit from casting high-impact Knight spells directly from the graveyard, setting it apart from others in its similar card class. Cards like Bloodghast and Alesha offer alternative strategies to leverage the graveyard, highlighting the rich strategic depths Magic: The Gathering offers.

Bloodghast - MTG Card versions
Alesha, Who Smiles at Death - MTG Card versions
Bloodghast - MTG Card versions
Alesha, Who Smiles at Death - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Haakon Stromgald Scourge offers unique card advantage by allowing you to play Knight creatures directly from your graveyard. This effectively turns your graveyard into an extension of your hand, making it much easier to maintain a threat on the board without depleting your hand resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana resources, Haakon’s ability to cast knights from the graveyard can accelerate your resource deployment significantly. You avoid the mana cost of having to draw and replay creatures from your hand, effectively bypassing a step in the mana curve and allowing you to utilize your mana for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: Many Knight spells have flashback or similar abilities that can be utilized at instant speed. While Haakon himself doesn’t possess instant speed, his effect on the game state allows for instant-speed plays with your Knight cards from the graveyard, offering reactive and adaptive strategies during any phase of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Haakon Stromgald Scourge necessitates players to discard him as a part of his own casting condition. This is a unique constraint that can be quite restrictive; requiring setup from graveyard manipulation spells or effects beforehand to make the best use of him. For players without the right support in their decks, this can prove to be a major hurdle in bringing Haakon into play.

Specific Mana Cost: This legendary knight demands a specific combination of colored mana for casting — two black and one other. This specific requirement restricts the card’s utility to decks that can consistently generate these colors. Players running multicolored or colorless-focused decks might find it challenging to accommodate Haakon’s mana needs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that totals three mana, including two which are color-specific, Haakon’s mana investment might be considered steep by some. While his abilities can be powerful in the right deck, the initial mana cost presents an investment that competes with other impactful cards, which may offer immediate benefits or require less rigorous conditions for play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Haakon Stromgald Scourge is a unique inclusion for decks that capitalize on graveyard play. Being able to cast Knights from the graveyard allows for prolonged board presence and resilience against removal.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with various Knights, creating synergies that are formidable in the right setup. Cast knights repeatedly from the graveyard and exploit abilities or trigger significant effects.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where resource control and recursion are key, Haakon can offer consistent value. Ensuring that your Knights always have a way back into play can keep you ahead in grindy match-ups.


How to Beat Haakon, Stromgald Scourge

Haakon, Stromgald Scourge stands out in MTG as a unique card that can be cast only from the graveyard, giving it a near-phantom presence in the game. This capability alone makes it resilient to traditional removal spells while in hand. Key to conquering Haakon hinges on preventing its entry from the graveyard or swiftly removing it once on the battlefield. Graveyard hate cards, like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus, eradicate its chances of even casting. Should Haakon land on the field, exile effects offer a definitive solution, bypassing its graveyard recursion.

Controlling the graveyard is not the only strategy. Counterspells ensure Haakon never sees play if your opponent attempts to try clever casting tricks. Another angle is to use cards like Rest in Peace, which nullify graveyard strategies entirely, creating an environment where Haakon’s abilities are essentially neutered. It’s about knowing when to let it hit the board, if at all, and being prepared with a swift and sure method for its removal.

Ultimately, taking down Haakon, Stromgald Scourge involves a combination of vigilance and the strategic timing of disruption. Keep your answers ready, and this powerful card’s influence can be effectively mitigated.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is as much about the cards you choose as it is about the strategies you deploy. Haakon Stromgald Scourge opens the gate to a myriad of tactical plays, setting your deck apart with its graveyard-centric knightly shenanigans. But remember, every card has its counter and understanding Haakon’s strengths and weaknesses could be crucial in deciding your MTG battles. If you’re intrigued by the potential of a graveyard-powered army or need tactical insights to disarm Haakon’s spectral assault, dive deeper with us. Discover more on how to harness or hinder this card’s prowess for your deck’s dominance.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Haakon, Stromgald Scourge MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Mystery Booster, 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 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Haakon, Stromgald Scourge Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Mark Zug.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-07-21ColdsnapCSP 612003NormalBlackMark Zug
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 6842003NormalBlackMark Zug
32020-09-26The ListPLST CSP-612003NormalBlackMark Zug
42023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2522015NormalBlackMark Zug

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Haakon, Stromgald Scourge has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2006-07-15 Haakon can't be cast from your hand. It can't be cast from any zone other than your graveyard, even if an effect such as that of Spelljack or Muse Vessel would otherwise allow you to.
2006-07-15 While Haakon is in your graveyard, you may cast it. This follows the normal rules and timing for casting a creature spell; the only difference is what zone Haakon is being cast from. The spell goes on the stack. You have to pay Haakon's mana cost and any applicable additional costs. The same applies for Knight cards you cast from your graveyard while Haakon is on the battlefield.