Bloodborn Scoundrels MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Rogue |
| Abilities | Assist |
| Released | 2018-06-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Battlebond |
| Set code | BBD |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 45 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mathias Kollros |
Key Takeaways
- They can provide a two-for-one advantage, forcing opponents into tough decisions.
- Scoundrels accelerate resources, strategically bolstering your in-game position.
- Their abilities prompt immediate action, potentially disrupting opponent tempo.
Text of card
Assist (Another player can pay up to of this spell's cost.) When Bloodborn Scoundrels enters the battlefield, target opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
The ring plays host to some combatants that the spectators love to hate.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bloodborn Scoundrels give players the edge by potentially providing a two-for-one deal. When they enter the battlefield, the menace they bring forces opponents to decide between losing a card or giving you card advantage. Plus, their presence can be a deterrent, keeping your opponent’s creatures at bay while you draw into more options.
Resource Acceleration: These roguish characters are not just about causing trouble; they can also bolster your resources. When played wisely, they can help you get ahead in the game by accelerating your available resources through strategic attacks that may indirectly contribute to mana development or put extra cards in your hand.
Instant Speed: Although Bloodborn Scoundrels themselves aren’t cast at instant speed, they can force instant-speed responses from your adversary. This can result in significant tempo gains, as your opponent might need to act hastily, using their mana inefficiently or tapping out at inopportune times, allowing you to take full advantage of their vulnerability during your subsequent turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Bloodborn Scoundrels necessitates the discarding of a card as part of its spectacle cost, potentially putting you at a card disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes both black and red mana, which may not seamlessly fit into multicolored or mono-colored deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of five mana, Bloodborn Scoundrels may not be the most mana-efficient creature for its power and abilities when compared to other options in the mana curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Bloodborn Scoundrels finds a home in various deck archetypes, as its flexible casting cost can adapt to aggressive plays early on or serve as a significant threat later in the game.
Combo Potential: With its ability to double any damage it deals when pumped with enough mana, this card can be a game-changer, pairing well with strategies that increase its power or provide additional mana.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that rewards proactive strategies and big, impactful creatures, Bloodborn Scoundrels can be a central piece in outpacing control opponents and overpowering board states.
How to beat
Bloodborn Scoundrels may seem challenging to overcome in the dynamic landscape of Magic: The Gathering gameplay. As a creature with the Menace ability, it requires strategic handling to ensure it doesn’t become a persistent thorn in your side. One efficient tactic is to eliminate it before it can exert its influence, ideally through instant-speed removal spells. Cards such as Murder or Doom Blade can deal with the Scoundrels cleanly, without having to engage with its Menace in combat.
Furthermore, board wipes become invaluable when trying to suppress the Scoundrels’ impact, especially if they’ve amassed a presence. Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the battlefield and reset your opponent’s momentum. Alternatively, enforcing a solid defense with creatures that have higher toughness can be a great way to mitigate the damage dealt by the Bloodborn Scoundrels, leaving your opponent with a less effective offensive force. Lastly, don’t forget about the power of enchantments like Pacifism, which can significantly hinder the Scoundrels without the need to remove them outright.
Understanding and preempting your opponent’s strategies while maintaining a robust suite of removal options in your deck will ensure that Bloodborn Scoundrels do not dictate the pace and outcome of the match.
Cards like Bloodborn Scoundrels
Bloodborn Scoundrels bring a thrilling dynamic to the rogue theme cards in Magic: The Gathering, reminding us of other opportunistic creatures. Take a look at cards like Robber of the Rich, a creature that not only steals from the opponent’s deck but also has haste and the ability to give you extra draws if played smartly. Bloodborn Scoundrels focus more on immediate resource advantage by providing you with tokens upon entering the battlefield, but lacks Robber of the Rich’s agility.
Comparing this with another staple, Skulking Fugitive offers a different approach. While the Scoundrels’ higher mana cost may be a setback for some, their dual body and token production could surpass Skulking Fugitive’s lighter mana load in the long run. Then there’s the infamous Piper of the Swarm, which shares the token-generation ability. Although Piper’s Rats don’t offer the immediate impact on the board that Scoundrels’ Treasure tokens do, they have the potential for exponential growth that can’t be overlooked.
Assessing the Scoundrels against these counterparts, we see that its place in MTG strategies may hinge on its unique combination of immediate token generating value and being a considerable threat on the board.
Cards similar to Bloodborn Scoundrels by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bloodborn Scoundrels MTG card by a specific set like Battlebond, 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 Bloodborn Scoundrels and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bloodborn Scoundrels has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bloodborn Scoundrels card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-06-08 | Assist allows another player to pay for any amount of generic mana. If an effect changes the cost of the spell, the amount that player may pay will be more or less than the amount in the spell’s reminder text. |
| 2018-06-08 | If an effect allows a player to cast a spell spending mana “as though it were mana of any color” or “of any type,” that player must still pay for the colored mana in that spell’s total cost. That cost doesn’t become generic. |
| 2018-06-08 | Only the generic mana portion of a spell’s cost can be paid with assist. Any colored mana costs must be paid by the spell’s controller, even if the assisting player paid mana of that color. |
| 2018-06-08 | You may reveal a card with assist and discuss how to pay for it before you begin to cast the spell. Targets are chosen for that spell before you choose another player to help you pay for it and before that player has committed any mana to doing so. |
