Hunt the WeakHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Hunt the Weak performs two specific actions in a sequence. First, it places a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control, providing a permanent buff. Second, it causes that creature to fight an opponent's creature, meaning each creature deals damage to the other based on their current power. Because the counter is placed before the fight occurs, your creature will use its new, increased power to deal damage and its increased toughness to survive the encounter.

How It Resolves Step by Step

When you cast Hunt the Weak, you must announce two targets: one creature you control and one you do not control. As the spell resolves, it checks if both targets are still legal. If the creature you control is still there, it receives a +1/+1 counter. Then, if both creatures are still on the battlefield and legal targets, they deal damage to each other simultaneously. If your creature is removed before resolution, no counter is placed and no fight happens. If the opponent's creature is removed, your creature still gets the counter but does not fight.

Common Mistakes

A common error is attempting to cast this spell when only one creature is on the battlefield; you must have both a legal ally and a legal enemy to even begin casting it. Another mistake involves timing: because this is a sorcery, you cannot use it as a surprise during your opponent's turn. Additionally, remember that 'fight' is not combat damage, so abilities like First Strike or Double Strike do not apply, though Deathtouch and Lifelink do.

When to Play It

The best time to cast Hunt the Weak is when you have a creature that is slightly smaller than an opponent's threat. The +1/+1 counter can tip the scales, allowing your creature to kill the enemy and survive the blow. It is also excellent for triggering 'Enrage' abilities or for building up a creature that benefits from having counters, like those with Mentor or Modified synergies.

Interaction examples

Basic Survival and Removal

You control a 2/2 creature and your opponent controls a 2/2 creature. You cast Hunt the Weak. Your creature becomes a 3/3 due to the +1/+1 counter, then deals 3 damage to the opponent's creature while taking only 2 damage in return. Your creature survives as a 3/3 with 2 damage marked on it, while the opponent's creature is destroyed.

Interrupted Targets

You target your creature and an opponent's creature. In response, your opponent uses a removal spell to destroy their own creature. When Hunt the Weak resolves, it sees the enemy target is gone. Your creature still receives the +1/+1 counter because it is a legal target, but no fight occurs because there is no second creature to fight.

Ramping into Combat

Cultivate

On turn three, you cast Cultivate to ensure you have four mana available for the following turn. On turn four, you use that mana to cast Hunt the Weak, using the extra land from your previous turn to safely buff your creature and remove a blocker, clearing the way for a successful attack.

Sequential Sorceries

Kodama's Reach

Similar to Cultivate, you can use Kodama's Reach to fix your mana colors. If you are playing a multi-color deck, this ensures you have the Green mana required to cast Hunt the Weak later in the game to deal with a problematic utility creature your opponent is hiding behind.