Hullbreaker Horror: A Rare and Powerful Creature

The Hullbreaker Horror is a 7/8 rare creature from the Vow set, requiring 5 blue mana to cast. Its power level is high due to its flash ability and indestructible nature.

Its main use cases involve disrupting opponents' plans by returning their spells or permanents to their hand when you cast your own spell. This can be particularly effective in combination with cards like Doomsday or Tolarian Academy. In Commander formats, Hullbreaker Horror is often used as a finisher due to its ability to shut down opponents' plans quickly.

In popular formats, Hullbreaker Horror sees moderate play in Commander and Pauper, but its popularity can vary depending on the metagame.

Hullbreaker Horror

This rare creature from the Vow set is a formidable addition to any blue deck. With its flash ability and powerful stats, it's an excellent disruption piece and removal spell.

Mana Cost and Colors The Hullbreaker Horror requires 7 mana to cast, which means you'll need a robust mana base and efficient spells to get there quickly. It only costs blue mana, making it an excellent fit for mono-blue or Azorius Control decks.

Keyword Abilities

• Flash: As with many flash creatures, Hullbreaker Horror can be played on any turn without a problem, as long as you have enough mana.
• This spell can't be countered: This is crucial in preventing opponents from disrupting your plans. With it, you can rely on the creature's ability to resolve without interruptions.

Rules and Functionality

When you cast a spell with Hullbreaker Horror on the battlefield, you get to choose one of two options:

• Return target spell you don't control to its owner's hand: This is an excellent way to disrupt your opponents' plans, especially if they've been relying on a particular spell. You can return their own spells back to their hand, making it harder for them to execute their strategy. • Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand: This option allows you to target any creature or enchantment on the battlefield, essentially removing it from play. This is particularly useful against creatures that are hard to kill or those with problematic abilities.

Edge Cases and Unusual Interactions

• If an opponent tries to counter Hullbreaker Horror itself using a countermagic spell, they'll fail because of its "This spell can't be countered" ability.
• If you have multiple spells cast on the battlefield, you can choose which one to target with Hullbreaker Horror's ability. You might want to prioritize disrupting your opponents' key threats or return a problematic spell back to their hand.
• Consider pairing Hullbreaker Horror with other flash creatures or removal spells to maximize its effectiveness.

Commander-Specific Quirks

As a rare card, Hullbreaker Horror is likely to be included in Commander decks where blue is the primary color. Its ability to disrupt opponents and remove threats makes it an excellent addition to control-oriented strategies.

Hullbreaker Horror is a formidable creature that shines in blue-based decks, particularly those that emphasize card advantage and control. Its ability to return spells and nonland permanents to their owner's hand provides an unparalleled level of flexibility, making it a staple in various strategic applications.

Competitive Decks

In competitive Constructed formats, Hullbreaker Horror is often played in Blue-White (Azorius) and Blue-Green (Dimir) decks. These combinations enable players to leverage the creature's ability to reset the board while maintaining a strong removal presence with cards like Dismember or Abrupt Decay. The addition of counterspells, such as Counterspell or Deafening Silence, further solidifies Hullbreaker Horror's position as a top-tier threat.

In particular, its synergy with value-oriented spells like Opt and Simian Spirit Guide makes it an excellent fit for combo decks that seek to disrupt the opponent's plans while establishing a dominant board presence. This dynamic combination enables players to capitalize on their opponent's mistakes and convert them into advantageous situations.

Casual Decks

In casual, Commander-driven environments, Hullbreaker Horror is often paired with more relaxed, synergistic combinations. For example, pairing it with Bolas's Citadel, which generates a wealth of blue mana and allows for the efficient casting of spells, can create an overwhelming advantage on the board. In this context, players can use Hullbreaker Horror to reset their own spells while removing threats from the opponent.

Another approach is combining Hullbreaker Horror with tribal-themed decks featuring Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca, which enables players to take control of key permanents and manipulate card draw for optimal advantage. This interplay between tribal synergies and value generation amplifies Hullbreaker Horror's impact in Commander games.

Niche Decks

Some niche archetypes also showcase Hullbreaker Horror as a valuable component, such as Blue-Black (Izzet) combo decks centered around Mnemic Network or other similar spells that create an abundance of mana. These combinations empower players to manipulate card draw and control the board while leveraging Hullbreaker Horror's ability to neutralize threats.

In the case of Trostani's Summoner, a Commander that allows players to bring their creatures back from exile, Hullbreaker Horror becomes a key component in disrupting opponents' plans and maintaining a strong presence on the board. Its versatility makes it an excellent fit for various strategies centered around card draw manipulation.

Synergy with Snapcasters

Hullbreaker Horror synergizes well with Snapcaster Mage, as the ability to return countered spells to their owner's hand can create an advantage for Snapcaster. By casting Hullbreaker Horror and then using its ability to return a Spellskite or other nonland permanent to its owner's hand, you're essentially "re-spelling" Snapcaster and allowing it to re-activate.

Combinations with Eternal Witnesses

Pairing Hullbreaker Horror with Eternal Witness can be particularly effective. When an opponent casts a creature, such as a planeswalker or enchantment, the Witness can copy it onto the field. Then, use Hullbreaker's ability to return that copied spell or permanent to its owner's hand.

Combating Control and Combo Decks

Hullbreaker Horror is well-suited against control and combo decks, which often rely on disrupting opponents with counterspells and other forms of removal. Its Flash ability allows it to be cast quickly, while its inability to be countered makes it difficult for opponents to respond effectively.

Disrupting Opponent's Plans

To maximize the impact of Hullbreaker Horror, use its ability to return spells or permanents that are crucial to an opponent's strategy. This can be particularly devastating if you're facing a combo deck and need to disrupt their plans for resolving a specific combination of cards.

Synergy with Lifegain

Combining Hullbreaker Horror with lifegain effects can create interesting possibilities, such as using its ability to return spells or permanents while also generating life from the opponent's discarded creatures. Cards like Verdant Force and Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim pair well with this strategy.

Hullbreaker Horror: Common Mistakes and Misplays

In Commander, players often underestimate the impact of Hullbreaker Horror's ability to return spells and permanents to their owner's hand. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Timing issues: Hullbreaker Horror's Flash ability can be tricky to time correctly. If you cast it during your main phase, you may inadvertently trigger its ability on a spell that was already cast this turn, potentially disrupting your own gameplan.
• Misunderstood rules: Some players believe that Hullbreaker Horror only returns non-land permanents, excluding creatures and enchantments from being returned. However, the card's text specifically states "target nonland permanent," allowing for the return of any non-land permanent.
• Poor synergies: While Hullbreaker Horror is an excellent removal spell, it can struggle to find a spot in decks without a strong blue control theme. Without access to counterspells or other forms of disruption, its ability may be underutilized.

Example misplay:

A player casts Hullbreaker Horror on turn 5 and immediately targets one of their own spells with the "Return target spell you don't control" option. This can lead to confusion about whether the spell was removed from the game or simply returned to its owner's hand. To avoid this, it's essential to carefully consider which spell to return when using Hullbreaker Horror.

Mitigating mistakes:

To maximize Hullbreaker Horror's potential in your deck:

• Integrate counterspells: Including a combination of Counterspell and other forms of disruption will help you take advantage of Hullbreaker Horror's ability to remove problematic spells.
• Create a blue control theme: Building a deck focused on blue control can provide the necessary synergies for Hullbreaker Horror to shine, allowing you to effectively utilize its removal and recursion capabilities.
• Carefully time your casts: Make sure to cast Hullbreaker Horror during an off-phase or after a spell has already been cast this turn to avoid timing issues.

Hullbreaker Horror

Flavor & Lore

In the dark, mysterious realm of Zendikar's underwater ruins, ancient horrors like Hullbreaker Horror lurk in the depths. This fearsome creature is said to be a servant of the merfolk god, Erebos, who weeps for the destruction of his beloved ocean. Hullbreaker Horror's mere presence causes ships to shudder and collapse, as if the very fabric of reality is being torn apart.

Stats & Abilities

• Mana Cost: {5}{U}{U}
• Power/Toughness: 7/8
• Oracle Text:
  • Flash
  • This spell can't be countered.
  • Whenever you cast a spell, choose up to one —
    • Return target spell you don't control to its owner's hand.
    • Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.

Reprint Status & Budget

Hullbreaker Horror has not been reprinted in any recent sets or collections. Its price remains relatively stable due to its limited availability.

• USD: $2.23
• Tix: 0.17
• EUR: €1.39 (approximately)
• EUR Foil: €2.60 (approximately)

Budget-Friendliness

Considering its rarity and price, Hullbreaker Horror is not budget-friendly for Commander decks. However, if you're looking for similar effects at a lower cost, consider the following options:

• Wishclaw Talisman (from the Zendikar Rising set): This artifact can help with spell exile and has a more accessible mana cost of {2}{U}.
• Spectral Procession (from the War of the Spark set): This creature can help with card advantage and has a mana cost of {3}{W}{B}{R}.
• Eldrazi Skyspawner (from the Eldritch Moon set): This creature can help with card exile and has a mana cost of {4}{W}{U}.

Iconic Decks & Tournament Presence

Hullbreaker Horror has appeared in various combo and control decks, often serving as a late-game threat or a way to lock down an opponent's board. Notable examples include the popular "Mill" deck archetype, which aims to dump cards from its library onto the graveyard to create card advantage.

History & Print History

Hullbreaker Horror was printed in the Vow set as a rare creature. It has not been reprinted in any subsequent sets.

EDHREC Stats

As mentioned earlier, Hullbreaker Horror has a moderate EDHREC popularity rank of 293. It's not a staple in any particular format or style, but its unique effects make it worth considering for more niche and combo-heavy decks.

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Building around Hullbreaker Horror requires a strategic approach to capitalize on its unique abilities. Its flash and can't-be-countered effects make it an excellent fit for blue-based commanders that focus on controlling the board and disrupting opponents' plans.

Commanders:

• Atraxa, Praetors' Voice: A natural fit, as Atraxa's ability to copy spells creates a synergistic relationship with Hullbreaker Horror's ability to return spells to their owner's hand.
• Estrid, the Masked: Estrid's ability to draw cards when casting spells complements Hullbreaker Horror's spell-returning effect, allowing for efficient card advantage.

Color Identities:

• Blue-White (BWW): This color combination is well-suited for building around Hullbreaker Horror, as it provides a strong foundation for controlling the board and disrupting opponents.
• Blue-Green (BUG): While not as straightforward, BUG can also be an effective color combination with Hullbreaker Horror, especially if you include cards like Vines of Vastwood or Verdant Force to create a more synergistic relationship.

Themes:

• Control: Hullbreaker Horror excels in control-based decks that focus on disrupting opponents' plans and maintaining board presence.
• Disrupt: Its ability to return spells to their owner's hand makes it an excellent fit for disrupt-based decks that aim to disrupt opponents' plans.

Engines:

• Counterspells: Cards like Counterbalance, Damping Sphere, or Spellskite can create a strong synergy with Hullbreaker Horror, as they enable you to maintain control of the board while disrupting opponents.
• Card Draw: Cards like Brainstorm, Ponder, or Vampiric Tutor can fuel your strategy by providing additional card advantage when casting spells.

Synergy Cards:

• Counterspells:
  • Counterbalance: Draws a card and counters the next spell cast.
  • Damping Sphere: Damps an opponent's ability to play non-land permanents.
  • Spellskite: Can target Hullbreaker Horror, making it difficult for opponents to remove.
• Card Draw:
  • Brainstorm: Draws three cards and can be used in conjunction with Hullbreaker Horror to return spells to their owner's hand.
  • Ponder: Draws two cards and can be used to fuel your strategy.

Combo Notes:

• Hullbreaker Horror + Counterspell: Create a strong combo by casting Hullbreaker Horror, then using a counterspell like Counterbalance or Damping Sphere to maintain control of the board.
• Hullbreaker Horror + Card Draw: Use card draw spells to fuel your strategy and return spells to their owner's hand with Hullbreaker Horror.

Hullbreaker Horror in Commander and Other Formats

As a rare creature with flash, Hullbreaker Horror is an intriguing card that can bring disruption to opponents' plans. Its ability to return spells or permanents to their owners' hands can be particularly effective against combo decks.

In Commander, Hullbreaker Horror's power and toughness make it a formidable body on the battlefield. However, its real value lies in its interaction with other cards, particularly those with flash or abilities that trigger when you cast spells. For example:

• Playing Karn, the Great Creator alongside Hullbreaker Horror can lead to devastating blows as Karn returns your own spell to your hand, allowing you to play it again and create an unstoppable combo.
• In a deck featuring Omniscience, Hullbreaker Horror's ability to return permanents becomes even more powerful, as Omniscience lets you cast the returned permanent without paying its mana cost.

Format Breakdown

While Hullbreaker Horror is a rare creature, it has found a niche in Commander, where its abilities can be leveraged to devastating effect. However, it remains largely overlooked in more competitive formats like Modern and Pioneer.

Price Point

With a price point of approximately $2 USD for a regular copy, Hullbreaker Horror is considered affordable for players looking to add disruption to their Commander decks.

Key Scenarios & Matchups

In Commander, Hullbreaker Horror's unique abilities make it a formidable opponent in the right situations. Here are some scenarios where it excels or falters:

Combo Potential with Jace, Wielder of Mysteries

Hullbreaker Horror pairs well with Jace, allowing you to return spells and permanents to their owners' hands while also drawing into more combo pieces. This can lead to a cascade of removals and ultimate activations.

Example: Play Hullbreaker Horror on turn 5, then cast Jace, Wielder of Mysteries on the same turn. Use Jace's ability to return a spell like Counterspell to its owner's hand, making it difficult for them to disrupt your plans.

Flashy Interactions with Omniscience

When paired with Omniscience, Hullbreaker Horror becomes nearly unplayable as the opponent will always try to counter it. However, if you can manage to flash in Hullbreaker Horror and remove a crucial spell or permanent from the board, it can turn the tide of battle.

Example: Cast Omniscience on turn 4, then play Hullbreaker Horror on turn 5 using its Flash ability. Remove an opponent's key creature with the -2/-3 option.

Board Presence and Synergy with Wrenn and Six Unicorns

Hullbreaker Horror's ability to return permanents to their owners' hands can synergize well with Wrenn and Six Unicorns, allowing you to clear the board while maintaining a strong presence.

Example: Play Hullbreaker Horror on turn 5, then use its ability to remove an opponent's creature. Use Wrenn and Six Unicorns to create an army of tokens, overwhelming your opponent.

Failing Against Control Mages with Dovin's Veto

Hullbreaker Horror has trouble dealing with control mages who can consistently counter or disrupt its abilities. If the opponent plays a card like Dovin's Veto, it can neutralize Hullbreaker Horror's impact.

Example: An opponent casts Dovin's Veto, negating Hullbreaker Horror's Flash ability and making it difficult to remove key spells or permanents from the board.

Falling Short Against Aggro Decks with Abrupt Decay

Hullbreaker Horror's large mana cost makes it vulnerable to aggressive decks that can deploy creatures quickly. If the opponent plays a card like Abrupt Decay, they can easily deal with Hullbreaker Horror before it gets a chance to shine.

Example: An opponent casts Abrupt Decay, destroying Hullbreaker Horror and leaving you vulnerable to their aggressive creatures.

Hullbreaker Horror

Print History: Hullbreaker Horror was printed in the Vow set as a rare creature. It has not been reprinted in any subsequent sets.

Tournament Presence: While Hullbreaker Horror's EDHREC popularity rank is relatively low at 293, it still sees play in some tournaments. In particular, it's worth noting that its flash ability and return-to-hand effect make it a decent choice for combo decks looking to disrupt opponents' plans.

Iconic Decks: Hullbreaker Horror has appeared in various combo and control decks, often serving as a late-game threat or a way to lock down an opponent's board. Notable examples include the popular "Mill" deck archetype, which aims to dump cards from its library onto the graveyard to create card advantage.

EDHREC Stats: As mentioned earlier, Hullbreaker Horror has a moderate EDHREC popularity rank of 293. It's not a staple in any particular format or style, but its unique effects make it worth considering for more niche and combo-heavy decks.

Overall, while Hullbreaker Horror may not be a household name, its combination of flash ability and removal effects have garnered some attention from combo players looking to add depth to their strategies.

In the dark, mysterious realm of Zendikar's underwater ruins, ancient horrors like Hullbreaker Horror lurk in the depths. This fearsome creature is said to be a servant of the merfolk god, Erebos, who weeps for the destruction of his beloved ocean. Hullbreaker Horror's mere presence causes ships to shudder and collapse, as if the very fabric of reality is being torn apart.

Its 7/8 stat block belies its true power: this monstrosity can't be countered, making it a formidable force on the battlefield. Its Flash ability allows for swift deployment, catching opponents off guard. When Hullbreaker Horror casts a spell, it gains an additional layer of control over the game state.

The creature's Oracle Text reveals two possible outcomes when a spell is cast: either return a target spell to its owner's hand or exile a nonland permanent. This versatility makes Hullbreaker Horror a valuable addition to any merfolk or blue-white deck. Its ability to disrupt opponents' plans, combined with its formidable stats, make it an ideal candidate for combo decks.

Players who employ Hullbreaker Horror in their arsenal often find themselves drawn into the underwater world of Zendikar's lore. They begin to understand the tragic fate of Erebos and his people, forced to dwell amidst the ruins of a long-lost civilization. As they master the art of wielding this powerful creature, they start to appreciate the delicate balance between life and death in the depths.

By incorporating Hullbreaker Horror into their deck, players become part of an ancient tale of sorrow and resilience. They join the merfolk's eternal struggle against the dark forces that seek to claim the ocean as their own domain.