Bat Colony MTG Card

Effortless flying army creation can significantly boost a player’s board advantage in MTG matches. Instant speed casting of Bat Colony allows strategic flexibility, disrupting opponent’s gameplay effectively. The potential for exponential growth of threats on the board makes Bat Colony a dynamic card.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment
Released	2023-11-17
Set symbol
Set name	The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Set code	LCI
Number	5
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cristi Balanescu

Text of card

When Bat Colony enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 black Bat creature token with flying for each mana from a Cave spent to cast it. Whenever a Cave enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.

Cards like Bat Colony

The Bat Colony card carves its niche in the creature-swarms universe of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscing of the persistent threat similar to cards like Rat Swarm. However, Bat Colony distinctively takes to the skies, a vertical dominance granting it evasion abilities. Rat Swarm, tucked in the alleys and sewers, lacks this particular trait and operates solely on the ground.

On the wingbeat of comparison soars Cloud of Faeries, a card that also lays claims to the aerial routes of the playfield. It flits with an economy in mana cost, and although it doesn’t proliferate like Bat Colony, it offers the benefit of untapping lands, subtly augmenting your mana pool. Then there’s Thrummingbird, a specimen in the same flight pattern, yet with a synergy towards proliferating counters, diverging from Bat Colony’s straightforward numerical swarm tactic.

In reviewing the attributes and strategic imprints left across the MTG landscape by these cards, Bat Colony emerges with an inherent appeal for enthusiasts of overhead assault strategies, complemented by its potential for exponential creature multiplication under the right conditions.

Cards similar to Bat Colony by color, type and mana cost

The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions

Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Abzan Caves	Standard	Caves	Classic Qualifier Prague 2024
Abzan Midrange	Standard	Caves	WHITE - SAT - 12PM - Chicago Standard Cup
Caves	Standard	Caves	Standard Challenge 32 2023-12-23

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bat Colony enables you to effortlessly build a flying army. In MTG, having multiple creatures with evasion such as flying can pressure opponents, potentially outpacing their ability to play removal or blockers. This contributes greatly to sustaining card advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: As Bat Colony hits the field, it offers immediate value. The card’s ability to multiply creates additional threat presence without the need for extra mana investment, effectively accelerating your resources in terms of board presence.

Instant Speed: The capability to cast this card at instant speed gives you the flexibility to deploy your flying threats at the most opportune moments. This unpredictability can hinder your adversaries’ strategies, disrupting their plans at critical junctures of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the demands Bat Colony places on the player is the need to discard another card. This cost adds a layer of complexity as players must choose wisely when their hand size is dwindling, to avoid depleting their future options.

Specific Mana Cost: Bat Colony’s casting requirements include a very particular mana setup, which could potentially restrict its inclusion in a range of decks. This limitation might deter players who are crafting a diverse deck from various colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Additionally, Bat Colony comes with a higher mana cost compared to other cards with similar abilities. Players could find themselves at a pivotal game moment unable to summon it promptly, which may influence its overall effectiveness in gameplay.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bat Colony is a unique addition to decks that thrive on creature swarming tactics, and its nocturnal flair fits well into any black deck’s theme or strategy that focuses on overwhelming opponents with an ever-growing number of creatures.

Combo Potential: This card has the inherent ability to synergize with mechanics that capitalize on the number of creatures you control or that benefit from sacrificing creatures for greater effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence can be pivotal, Bat Colony’s ability to potentially multiply can tip the scales in your favor, making it a useful ally in black-centric or multi-colored decks contending with various playstyles.

How to beat

Delving into the world of MTG card counterplays, Bat Colony emerges as a creature card that players should approach with strategic caution. This card, like any other in MTG, comes with its own set of challenges and weaknesses. To circumvent the potential swarm that Bat Colony represents, consider leveraging spot removal spells. Cards like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can efficiently take down the creature before the colony grows out of control.

Another effective technique is to make use of board wipes. Cards such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the battlefield of multiple creatures, including a burgeoning number of bats. It’s essential to manage your resources wisely and time these spells for the most impact. Additionally, using flying blockers can stymie the offensive capabilities of Bat Colony, ensuring you have defenses in place against aerial assaults.

Gauging the appropriate response hinges on understanding the colony’s dynamics and neutralizing it before it overwhelms you. A blend of removal, strategic blocking, and keeping a tight rein on the board state will give players a fighting chance against the nocturnal threat that is Bat Colony in their MTG endeavors.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bat Colony MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Bat Colony and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bat Colony has restrictions

Format	Legality
Standard	Legal
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Future	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal