Anvil of Bogardan MTG Card


Enhances card flow by offering an additional draw and a discard each turn, aiding in hand optimization. Boosts synergy particularly with graveyard mechanics, transforming discards into strategic opportunities. Offers versatility and combo potential, making it a compelling choice for diverse MTG deck builds.
Anvil of Bogardan - Visions
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact
Released1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameVisions
Set codeVIS
Number141
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRoger Raupp

Text of card

Each player skips his or her discard phase. During each player's draw phase, that player draws an additional card and then chooses and discards a card.


Cards like Anvil of Bogardan

Anvil of Bogardan is a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering that draws attention for its ability to invoke perpetual card action every turn. It bears similarity to Howling Mine, a card synonymous with constant draw but lacks the discard aspect that Anvil introduces. Both offer a drawing benefit each turn, but Anvil of Bogardan forges ahead with its player-driven discard strategy, forcing hand refreshes that can be especially advantageous or disruptive, depending on one’s playstyle.

Comparing Anvil with Ghirapur Orrery, we find both push players towards” an empty hand, though the Orrery does so by rewarding those who play out their hands with extra draws. Anvil, conversely, assures a continuous, controlled card cycling effect. Additionally, while the Orrery requires players to empty their hands to reap the benefits, Anvil enforces its card discipline consistently, making it a predictably valuable asset in decks that thrive on having many options or operate on graveyard strategies.

When evaluating along with other artifacts and card effects, Anvil of Bogardan stands out in the MTG landscape. Its combination of voluntarydiscard and guaranteed draws offers a unique take on controlling the ebb and flow of a player’s hand, thus sustaining its relevance in various deck archetypes.

Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Ghirapur Orrery - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Ghirapur Orrery - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius ControlAzorius Control LegacyAzorius ControlLegacy Challenge 32 2024-03-02
BGBG LegacyLegacy League 2023-12-24

Card Pros

Card Advantage: At the beginning of each player’s draw step, that player draws an additional card then discards a card. This feature creates a consistent mechanism for gaining hand superiority each turn while tactically filtering through the deck for the best cards to keep.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling players to draw and discard each turn, Anvil of Bogardan can indirectly accelerate resources. Discarding enables synergies with graveyard mechanics or reanimation strategies, turning the discard step into an opportunity for setting up future plays.

Instant Speed: While Anvil of Bogardan isn’t an instant itself, its effect at the draw step paves the way for better-informed decisions at instant speeds later on. With more cards at your disposal, the likelihood of holding up mana for optimal instant-based reactions increases, allowing you to respond to opponents’ threats more effectively.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Anvil of Bogardan’s ability forces both players to discard a card at the beginning of each draw step. This can be a double-edged sword, particularly if you’re running low on cards or if the opponent can capitalize on their graveyard content.

Specific Mana Cost: As Anvil of Bogardan requires one colorless and one generic mana, it may not seamlessly integrate into decks that heavily rely on a single color or have a strict mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands two mana, there are alternatives that might provide better card advantage or different utilities at a lower cost. It’s important to assess whether the card’s abilities justify its mana investment within your specific deck strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Anvil of Bogardan offers unique flexibility in deck building across formats. It provides consistent card advantage, working well in strategies that crave additional draw phases or require a higher card turnover to access key pieces.

Combo Potential: This artifact shines in combination with cards that benefit from drawing or discarding, such as enabling graveyard strategies or fueling reanimation tactics. It can also be a piece in locking down the game when paired with cards that punish discard or draw.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts towards longer, more grindy games, Anvil of Bogardan’s ability to ensure a steady flow of resources could prove invaluable. It enables decks to maintain pressure and resource advantage over opponents in a variety of competitive scenes.


How to beat Anvil of Bogardan

Anvil of Bogardan is an artifact card that can be both a boon and bane in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This card demands players to skip their discard phase and draws an additional card at the beginning of each draw step, promoting hand refilling strategies. However, this forced card draw can backfire if you’re facing an opponent with a well-crafted hand destruction or mill strategy. To counter Anvil of Bogardan effectively, adapting a strategy based on discard effects like Mind Rot or using graveyard-shuffling spells such as Elixir of Immortality can help mitigate the constant influx of cards and use it to your advantage.

In games where Anvil of Bogardan shines, leverage cards that punish the opponent for having many cards in hand, such as Black Vise or Viseling. These cards can turn the tables on the card advantage Anvil provides. Another effective tactic involves incorporating countermagic into your deck to prevent the Anvil from hitting the board in the first place. Utilizing cards like Counterspell or artifact removal spells such as Disenchant allows you to disrupt the opponent’s game plan before it takes full effect.

Ultimately, while Anvil of Bogardan can be a powerful engine for card advantage, its impact can be minimized or even turned against the player by a well-prepared opponent. Recognizing the double-edged nature of this card is key, and with the right strategy, you can control the flow of play and guide the game towards victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG enthusiasts often seek a competitive edge, and Anvil of Bogardan can be a strategic asset in the right deck. With its unique draw-discard mechanic, it caters to diverse strategies, enabling you to sculpt the perfect hand while potentially disrupting your opponent’s tactics. Evaluating its fit in your collection could be the difference between a stalemate and a triumph. If you’re eager to refine your gameplay and optimize your deck’s performance further, delve into the deeper strategies and deck synergies Anvil of Bogardan offers. Learn how this intriguing card can become the linchpin in your next victorious deck build. Embark on your journey towards MTG mastery with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Anvil of Bogardan MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Anvil of Bogardan and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Anvil of Bogardan has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 If the draw part of the effect is skipped due to a replacement effect, the discard part of the effect is not skipped.
2009-10-01 If multiple effects modify your hand size, apply them in timestamp order. For example, if you put Null Profusion (an enchantment that says your maximum hand size is two) onto the battlefield and then put Anvil of Bogardan onto the battlefield, you’ll have no maximum hand size. However, if those permanents entered the battlefield in the opposite order, your maximum hand size would be two.
2013-04-15 If there are two Anvils on the battlefield, they trigger and resolve separately. This means that you first draw one card and discard one card, and then do it again. You do not draw two cards and then discard two cards.
2013-04-15 The triggered ability is put onto the stack after you have already drawn your card for the turn.