Belligerent Brontodon MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 218
2019-11-07 - Number 1398
2020-09-26 - Number XLN-218
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Dinosaur |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
Each creature you control assigns combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power.
Predators try to separate the young, old, or injured from the rest of the herd. The alternative is crushing defeat.
Cards like Belligerent Brontodon
Belligerent Brontodon serves as an intriguing option within the collection of creatures that alter combat math in Magic: The Gathering. Like Assault Formation, this dinosaur allows players to use their creature’s toughness to deal damage instead of their power, offering a unique approach to how creature stats play into battle strategies. Although Assault Formation is cheaper to cast, Belligerent Brontodon presents a sizable body on the board that Assault Formation does not provide.
In a similar context, we see Doran, the Siege Tower, which offers a similar ability to use toughness for damage calculation, impacting how defenders and attackers are valued on the battlefield. Belligerent Brontodon, while lacking the broader color identity of Doran that enables various deck-building possibilities, compensates with a lower individual card cost and a simple two-color mana base.
In evaluating these alternatives, Belligerent Brontodon finds its niche as a standalone powerful creature capable of altering the traditional combat dynamics, which can be particularly effective in decks that build around high-toughness creatures. Its straightforward casting requirements make it a reliable and impactful addition for players looking to strengthen their battlefield with such strategic depth.
Cards similar to Belligerent Brontodon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Belligerent Brontodon doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards but its ability to shift the focus from power to toughness for damage calculation could provide a considerable advantage in board control. This, in turn, could lead to positive trades and less need for further card investment to establish a commanding presence on the field.
Resource Acceleration: While Belligerent Brontodon itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, it synergizes well with strategies that focus on high-toughness creatures, which can lead to a cost-effective deployment of powerful defenders and attackers. This can indirectly lead to a more efficient use of your mana resources as your creatures become more effective per mana spent.
Instant Speed: Although Belligerent Brontodon operates at sorcery speed, its static ability constantly affects the battlefield, which can present instant-speed-like advantages during combat on each turn. The persistent threat of dealing damage via toughness means your opponents must always consider Belligerent Brontodon’s influence when making decisions, adding a layer of strategic complexity to your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Belligerent Brontodon does not require you to discard cards, which is beneficial for maintaining hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Belligerent Brontodon’s cost involves both green and white mana, which can be restrictive and may not seamlessly fit into every deck, especially ones not aligned with a Selesnya strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of seven, Belligerent Brontodon can be a heavy investment, especially when there are other creatures or strategies available that provide a more immediate impact on the game at a lower cost threshold.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Belligerent Brontodon serves as both an aggressive and defensive asset, able to shift the tide in decks that utilize a variety of high-toughness creatures.
Combo Potential: When paired with cards that assign damage equal to toughness, Belligerent Brontodon becomes a force that can decidedly enhance your board position and overwhelm opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors toughness-based strategies or where players are constructing walls and defensive decks, this card is an invaluable addition due to its ability to turn defense into a substantial offense.
How to beat
Belligerent Brontodon stands out in the realm of MTG as a formidable creature that assigns combat damage using its toughness rather than power. This unique ability makes it a defensive linchpin, able to endure and serve as a blocker against aggressive strategies. To effectively overcome Belligerent Brontodon, players should focus on utilizing removal spells that bypass its tough defense. Direct damage spells may not always be the best answer given the Brontodon’s high toughness. Instead, using cards that can exile, bounce, or force sacrifices ensure the Brontodon is dealt with without requiring combat.
Another approach to surpass Belligerent Brontodon is to employ flying creatures or those with unblockable abilities, as Brontodon lacks reach or any form of evasion, making it unable to block such threats. Additionally, controlling the battlefield with enchantments like Pacifism or Lignify can render Belligerent Brontodon effectively useless, as they prevent it from either attacking or blocking, undermining its defensive capabilities. By employing these strategies, you can neutralize the threat of Belligerent Brontodon and maintain dominion over the game.
Ultimately, coping with Belligerent Brontodon involves strategic planning and choosing the right cards to mitigate its impressive toughness, ensuring that this towering dinosaur doesn’t trample your chances of victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Belligerent Brontodon MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan and Mystery Booster, 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 Belligerent Brontodon 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
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Printings
The Belligerent Brontodon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 218 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1398 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | XLN-218 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Belligerent Brontodon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Belligerent Brontodon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-09-29 | Belligerent Brontodon’s ability doesn’t actually change any creature’s power. It changes only the amount of combat damage it assigns. All other rules and effects that check power or toughness use the real values. For example, Hunt the Weak won’t cause a creature to fight with its toughness. |