Biophagus MTG Card


Bolsters hand, enabling card draw to outpace opponents in resource accumulation. Instant speed casting offers flexible responses and strategic depth in gameplay. Demands precise mana and can strain hand size, influencing deck construction.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Tyranid Wizard
Abilities Genomic Enhancement
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Genomic Enhancement — : Add one mana of any color. If this mana is spent to cast a creature spell, that creature enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.

"We guarantee you that within a week, you will feel like a new man." —Galaxos Klynesmith, biophagus


Cards like Biophagus

The Biophagus enters Magic: The Gathering’s extensive roster of creatures with unique abilities that cater to specific strategies. This card bears similarity to creatures such as Evolution Sage, which has an ability that interacts with +1/+1 counters, proliferating them whenever a land enters under your control. Both are excellent in decks that capitalize on counter manipulation.

Another comparable card is Fertilid, which also revolves around +1/+1 counters but takes a slightly different approach by using those counters to search for lands. While Biophagus doesn’t directly interact with land, it does offer the ability to modify creatures by adding counters and potentially drawing a card for an advantage. In contrast, Forgotten Ancient can accrue counters rapidly and distribute them to other creatures, enhancing your board presence much like what a Biophagus strategy aims for, albeit in a more passive manner.

Considering the synergy and potential for growth that Biophagus introduces to the table, it’s certainly earning its place among cards that shine in counter-centric decks, offering both augmentation of creatures and card advantage possibilities.

Evolution Sage - MTG Card versions
Fertilid - MTG Card versions
Forgotten Ancient - MTG Card versions
Evolution Sage - MTG Card versions
Fertilid - MTG Card versions
Forgotten Ancient - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Biophagus by color, type and mana cost

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Vine Trellis - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Oran-Rief Survivalist - MTG Card versions
Vine Trellis - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
OmnitiativeOmnitiative Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Designed to bolster your hand, the Biophagus card grants you the ability to potentially draw additional cards, keeping you ahead in the race for resources. This can be a pivotal move in outmaneuvering your counterparts during critical moments of play.

Resource Acceleration: This card could notably amplify your sway in the game through the adept manipulation of resources. Resource acceleration via the Biophagus puts you in a vantage position, allowing you to deploy more substantial forces or powerful spells to the battlefield much earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: Capable of being cast at instant speed, the strategic depth this card brings to your arsenal is not to be underestimated. Such flexibility enables you to react swiftly to your opponent’s actions, retaining the element of surprise and potentially disrupting their well-laid plans with your untapped potential.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Biophagus necessitates ditching a card to activate its crucial abilities. For players already battling with hand size, this prerequisite could hinder their strategic flexibility and land them in a precarious position where options are severely limited.

Specific Mana Cost: With a hybrid mana cost that demands both green and black, Biophagus is tailored for Golgari decks. Those interested in splashing it into other deck types may find this mana requirement difficult to fulfill, subsequently narrowing its applicability across diverse MTG strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at a demanding four mana, Biophagus comes with a heftier investment when compared to other cards at similar mana slots. This steep cost can be a setback especially when pitted against cards that offer immediate board presence or that execute a pivotal action at a lower mana threshold, making it a tough sell in tightly curated deck lists where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Biophagus is a card that seamlessly integrates into creature-based strategies, offering boosts in both power and utility. It’s an excellent addition for players looking to elevate their game with multifaceted cards.

Combo Potential: Known for empowering synergies, Biophagus can become the linchpin in combos that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or creature-based interactions, enabling explosive turns and board states.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive landscape, a card like Biophagus that aligns well with counter-centric decks could become an important tool to outmaneuver opponents in the current meta.


How to beat

The Biophagus MTG card presents a unique challenge for players looking to maintain control of the game. Its ability to adapt and grow creatures can be daunting, mirroring the escalate and endure mechanics seen in many MTG strategies. While not an exact copy, the Biophagus card reminds us of continuous-effect cards such as Hardened Scales, which incrementally scales creatures’ abilities. However, the approach to managing these growing threats slightly differs.

Suppression through removal spells is a key counterplay. Cards like Path to Exile and Fatal Push are pivotal when it comes to dealing with creatures buffed by Biophagus. These cards ensure that the increasing threat can be mitigated before becoming insurmountable. Similarly, counter spells such as Dovin’s Veto or Negate can preemptively deal with Biophagus, keeping the board state more manageable.

Ultimately, the key to outmaneuvering a Biophagus card lies in prompt response and adaptive tactics, ensuring that your opponent never fully capitalizes on the potential of their ever-evolving creatures.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves more than knowing the cards; it’s about strategic deck building and adaptive play. With Biophagus offering both resource acceleration and card advantage, it’s a game-changer for Golgari enthusiasts. However, its mana cost and specific requirements could limit its use in every strategy. As the meta evolves, so should your collection—consider Biophagus’s synergy and how its versatility can bolster your playstyle. Looking for ways to incorporate this intriguing card into your repertoire or curious about strategies to counter it? Dive deeper with us and enrich your MTG knowledge to ensure your next match showcases your adept command of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Biophagus MTG card by a specific set like Warhammer 40,000 Commander and Warhammer 40,000 Commander, 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 Biophagus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Biophagus Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-10-07 and 2022-10-07. Illustrated by Teodora Dumitriu.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 872015NormalBlackTeodora Dumitriu
22022-10-07Warhammer 40,000 Commander40K 87★2015NormalBlackTeodora Dumitriu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Biophagus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-07 If Biophagus’s ability produces more than one mana, perhaps due to an effect such as that of Mana Reflection, each creature cast with that mana will enter the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter. If all of that mana is spent on the same creature, it will enter the battlefield with that many additional +1/+1 counters.