Bloodthorn Taunter MTG Card

Forces opponents into blocks, often leading to advantageous board states and indirect card advantage. Instant speed ability of Taunter offers flexibility and surprise during critical combat phases. Discard requirement and specific mana cost may limit its use, necessitating strategic deck building.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Scout
Abilities	Haste
Released	2008-10-03
Set symbol
Set name	Shards of Alara
Set code	ALA
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	94
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jesper Ejsing

Text of card

Haste : Target creature with power 5 or greater gains haste until end of turn.

Naya's celebrants stoke the gargantuans into a rage, loosing a tide of muscle with the precision of an arrow.

Cards like Bloodthorn Taunter

Bloodthorn Taunter, a resonating entry among “Haste” enablers in MTG, bears comparison with vaunted cards like Mass Hysteria. This red enchantment grants all creatures haste, conferring immediate impact potential across the board. However, Bloodthorn Taunter strategically targets single creatures, pushing for tactical advantages rather than a blanket effect. This creature also carries the ability to selectively grant haste, which can be useful in decks that aim to surprise opponents with sudden, pivotal attacks.

Akin to the Taunter is the Goblin Motivator, another creature known for its haste-giving ability, although the Motivator imparts haste until end of turn as opposed to the condition-based activation of the Taunter. The Motivator’s static ability, while consistent, doesn’t offer the same agility in response timing compared to the Taunter’s activated ability. Also in the conversation is Fervor, an enchantment that permanently gives your creatures haste, delivering consistent speed but lacking the creature body that the Taunter provides—a significant consideration for strategies relying on creature presence.

Comparing such cards underlines the importance of strategic deck building in MTG, where Bloodthorn Taunter’s flexibility could be essential for game plans centered around opportune creature engagement and controlled bursts of speed.

Cards similar to Bloodthorn Taunter by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Bloodthorn Taunter enables strategic hand sculpting by pressuring opponents into blocking, often leading to beneficial trades and thinning the board. This can indirectly lead to gaining card advantage, as your smarter plays preserve your resources.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting your mana pool, this card can accelerate your game plan by forcing unfavorable blocks, effectively removing potential resource hindrances and smoothing the path for your larger threats to have an impact.

Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed gives the Taunter a tactical edge. The element of surprise can shift the tides during combat, affecting the board state when your opponent least expects it. Having the flexibility to choose the timing of this card’s ability ensures maximum impact during crucial moments of play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Bloodthorn Taunter, the requirement to discard a card can become a hurdle, particularly in tight situations where card advantage is crucial. This can potentially set you back against opponents who are not sacrificing card value.

Specific Mana Cost: Bloodthorn Taunter’s casting cost includes specific mana symbols which might not fluidly fit in every deck archetype. Decks that don’t run green mana or multicolored decks that can’t reliably produce green may find it difficult to utilize this card to its full potential.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively high mana cost for its abilities, the card could be considered a costly investment when compared to other options in the same mana range. Players often assess the efficiency of a card by what it brings to the table against its mana cost, and in competitive play, every single mana point counts towards achieving victory.

Reasons to Include Bloodthorn Taunter in Your Collection

Versatility: Bloodthorn Taunter is a card that brings flexibility to any collection. Its ability to hasten a creature makes it a strong inclusion in decks that look to outpace opponents and apply pressure early on.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combos, as it can quickly enable high-power creatures to strike at the heart of the enemy’s strategy. It facilitates explosive plays, setting the stage for surprising turns that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where speed and surprise assaults can unsettle established board states, Bloodthorn Taunter holds its ground. Its presence in a collection allows players to adapt to fast-paced environments, keeping their decks competitive and responsive to shifting trends.

How to beat

Bloodthorn Taunter can be a tricky card to navigate against in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in formats where mana-efficient creatures with haste are valued. This feisty card can accelerate the pace of the game by allowing another target creature with power 5 or greater to gain haste until the end of the turn. This ability potentially enables explosive plays and quick turnarounds.

The key to overcoming the Bloodthorn Taunter’s influence lies in managing the battlefield. Employ removal spells to eliminate the Taunter before it can activate its ability, something that’s even possible in response to the ability’s trigger thanks to instant-speed options. Cards like Fatal Push and Lightning Bolt can dispatch the Taunter efficiently, curtailing your opponent’s aggressive strategy. Furthermore, ensuring that creatures with power 5 or greater do not stick on the board will negate the Taunter’s utility, making board wipes such as Wrath of God or targeted removal like Path to Exile excellent strategies.

Stay vigilant, maintain control of the board, and the harrowing effect of the Bloodthorn Taunter on the game’s tempo can be tamed, retaining the equilibrium in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bloodthorn Taunter MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Bloodthorn Taunter and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bloodthorn Taunter has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-10-01	The ability checks the targeted creature’s power twice: when the creature becomes the target, and when the ability resolves. Once the ability resolves, it will continue to apply to the affected creature no matter what its power may become later in the turn.