Befoul MTG Card
1998-10-12 - Number 116
2001-04-11 - Number 118
2001-04-11 - Number 118★
2004-10-01 - Number 102
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target land or nonblack creature. A creature destroyed this way cannot be regenerated this turn.
"The land putrefied at its touch, turned into an oily bile in seconds." —Radiant, archangel
Cards like Befoul
Befoul is an interesting utility spell in Magic: The Gathering, specifically in the realm of land destruction. Like its predecessor Stone Rain, Befoul destroys any land at the cost of four mana. However, Befoul offers added versatility by allowing you to target a creature if a land isn’t the optimal choice. This flexibility can be pivotal in various game scenarios.
Moving onto Rain of Tears, another member of the land destruction family, it presents similar effects to Befoul but at a lower mana value of three. Despite this advantage, Rain of Tears lacks the dual nature of Befoul, being strictly limited to destroying lands without the option to affect creatures. Then we encounter Icefall, which boasts an interesting feature. While it costs the same as Befoul and also destroys land, Icefall can be recovered from the grave when a snow land comes into play, allowing for repeated usage.
Assessing the landscape of these spells, Befoul shines due to its dual purpose, catering to players who appreciate strategic flexibility in their deck. Although its rivals may excel in specific circumstances, Befoul’s ability to adapt to the board state grants it a special status among its counterparts.
Cards similar to Befoul by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Befoul. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Golgari Midrange | Pauper | Golgari Midrange | Liga Gacha de Pauper 2024 - Etapa 3 |
 | Mono Black Ponza | Pauper | 5° Tappa - Season 6 - Road to Paupergeddon Winter edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana | |
| Golgari Ponza | Pauper | Golgari Ponza | Pauper Challenge 64 2023-12-03 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Befoul is a versatile spell that not only targets and destroys a land to disrupt your opponent’s mana base but can also be an effective removal tool against nonblack creatures. This makes it a multifaceted card that holds the potential to tip the scales in your favor by effectively reducing your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although Befoul itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to remove an opponent’s land can indirectly accelerate your position in the game. By setting back your opponent, you increment your own relative board advantage allowing you to capitalize on a less contested battlefield.
Instant Speed: Befoul operates at sorcery speed, which requires strategic planning to optimize its effect. The considered timing in deploying Befoul can be as crucial as the act itself, ensuring maximum disruption when your opponent is least prepared to recover from a crucial land or creature loss.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Befoul is a versatile card for its land destruction and creature removal, it does not come with a discard requirement. However, the need for a specific setup to utilize its full potential may indirectly lead to card disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Befoul demands a mana composition that is predominantly black. This specific mana requirement can restrict its integration into decks that aren’t tailored to heavy black mana use, potentially hindering your mana base in multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Befoul’s four-mana cost can be steep considering the speed of the current MTG meta. Especially when there are cards available that can perform similar functions for less mana, leading players to evaluate the efficiency of including it in their deck relative to other options.
Reasons to Include Befoul in Your Collection
Versatility: Befoul is highly adaptable to deck themes that capitalize on land and creature control. This card can dismantle your opponent’s mana base or remove troublesome creatures, making it useful in various match-ups.
Combo Potential: With decks that thrive on graveyard synergy or land destruction strategies, Befoul can act as a key piece, setting up plays that can disrupt opponents and pave the way for your victory.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fact that many players rely on key lands or creatures in their strategies, having Befoul in your collection means you’re always equipped to handle such threats, keeping your deck competitive in various meta game scenarios.
How to beat
Befoul, a versatile black spell in Magic the Gathering, offers the tactical advantage of eliminating both creatures and land. This can be a game-changer in any match, yet like all cards, Befoul has its weaknesses. The key to overcoming this card lies in understanding its sorcery speed nature and targeting it provides opponents. By maintaining a balanced mana base and diverse land types, you can mitigate the impact of Befoul’s land destruction.
To further fortify your board against Befoul, consider running cards that provide hexproof or shroud to your lands, such as Terra Eternal or Sacred Ground – these ensure your lands remain untouched by targeted removal. Additionally, creatures with indestructibility or regeneration abilities can bounce back from Befoul’s wrath. Prioritize maintaining a low land count on the board if possible, to lessen Befoul’s value and use creatures that can operate on minimal land resources.
Your strategy should also incorporate instant-speed responses. Quick removal spells or counterspells, like Negate or Counterspell, can easily thwart a Befoul attempt, providing a safety net for your crucial lands and creatures. Flexibility and preemptive planning will turn the tide against a Befoul strategy, securing your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Befoul MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Seventh Edition, 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 Befoul and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
Printings
The Befoul Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2004-10-01. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-10-12 | Urza's Saga | USG | 116 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pete Venters | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 118 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ciruelo | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 118★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ciruelo | |
| 4 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 102 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Luca Zontini |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Befoul has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Befoul 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 | This is not modal. You do not have to choose the target type. The target has to either be a land or non-black creature when announced and on resolution. |