Bog-Strider Ash MTG Card


Grants card advantage by utilizing both offensive and defensive playstyles effectively. Indirect resource acceleration through synergistic land and creature interactions. Enhances instant speed spell utility for versatile and responsive play.
Bog-Strider Ash - Lorwyn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Treefolk Shaman
Abilities Swampwalk
Released2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set nameLorwyn
Set codeLRW
Power 2
Toughness 4
Number198
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySteven Belledin

Text of card

Swampwalk Whenever a player plays a Goblin spell, you may pay . If you do, you gain 2 life.

"If you want to test wisdom, offer it to fools and watch how they tear it up."


Cards like Bog-Strider Ash

Bog-Strider Ash holds its unique place in the vast array of Green creatures in Magic the Gathering. It might remind players of Llanowar Elves as both cards offer mana ramp capabilities. While Llanowar Elves is a staple for its one mana cost and immediate mana acceleration, Bog-Strider Ash requires more setup, thriving in decks with a heavy Swamp presence to exploit its mana filtering ability.

Elvish Mystic is another card that compares with our swamp walker, providing a similar function to Llanowar Elves. While Bog-Strider Ash requires a specific land type to truly shine, Elvish Mystic is less situational but does not have the potential land untapping synergy. Its strength is in consistency and speed, making it a reliable choice for many decks.

Taking into account decks with a focus on land types, Arbor Elf comes into play. This elf untaps Forests, which could lead to a similar mana ramp as our swamp-striding friend under the right circumstances. The distinction here lies in the land type focused ramping and the potential for more explosive turns that Arbor Elf can provide when paired with lands like Overgrown Tomb or Stomping Ground.

Each of these cards has their specific roles within their respective deck archetypes, yet it’s the adaptability to Swamp-heavy decks that gives Bog-Strider Ash its niche in MTG gameplay.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Elvish Mystic - MTG Card versions
Arbor Elf - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Elvish Mystic - MTG Card versions
Arbor Elf - MTG Card versions

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Scarwood Bandits - MTG Card versions
Carnivorous Plant - MTG Card versions
Erhnam Djinn - MTG Card versions
War Mammoth - MTG Card versions
Aurochs - MTG Card versions
Lhurgoyf - MTG Card versions
Jackalope Herd - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Alligator - MTG Card versions
Golden Bear - MTG Card versions
Argothian Swine - MTG Card versions
Elvish Piper - MTG Card versions
Erithizon - MTG Card versions
Saber Ants - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Cutter - MTG Card versions
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Fungusaur - MTG Card versions
Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bog-Strider Ash offers a unique mechanic that can potentially lead to card advantage on the field. With the ability to establish presences both defensively and aggressively, it allows for more dynamic play for any deck that features it.

Resource Acceleration: Including this card in your deck could provide indirect resource acceleration. It has synergies with decks that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or specific types of lands that might ramp up your mana availability quicker than usual.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Bog-Strider Ash interacts well with spells that you may cast at instant speed. This interaction can create unexpected advantages, allowing you to adapt to battlefield shifts more swiftly and catch your opponent off guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Bog-Strider Ash requires you to discard a creature card to unlock its potential. This can deplete your hand and reduce your options, particularly if your deck isn’t tailored to consistently replenish your hand or if the game state doesn’t favor discarding.

Specific Mana Cost: This card asks for a specific combination of black and green mana, making it less flexible outside of its native Golgari decks. Players using decks that don’t include these colors or that have a weaker mana base might find it difficult to cast on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three generic and one black mana, it competes with other four-drop creatures and spells that could potentially offer immediate impact or better value. This makes it a tougher sell in a slot typically crowded with powerful options.


Reasons to Include Bog-Strider Ash in Your Collection

Versatility: Bog-Strider Ash provides great adaptability in deck building, especially for those utilizing a landfall mechanic or themes that revolve around Swamp lands. Its ability to be both a reliable blocker and a consistent damage dealer makes it a multifaceted asset.

Combo Potential: This creature has the potential to work in tandem with graveyard synergies and land-based strategies. Its ability to return lands from the graveyard to the hand can set off a variety of powerful plays, enabling recurring value with each turn.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments heavy with land-interaction or where Graveyard mechanics are prominent, Bog-Strider Ash becomes increasingly significant. Its unique interaction with Swamps can give you leverage in slower, grindy matches where long-term value is key.


How to beat

Bog-Strider Ash is a unique creature that can shape gameplay in Magic: The Gathering. It thrives in environments rich with swamps, leveraging land type to gain an advantage. Although it may not appear imposing at first glance, its ability to tap an untapped swamp you control after it attacks to give it +1/+1 until end of turn can create a formidable force if left unchecked. Defeating this creature, therefore, requires strategic planning and a proactive approach.

One effective strategy is to limit the number of swamps in play. Cards that allow for land destruction or transformation can cripple the power of Bog-Strider Ash by attacking its very foundation. Furthermore, employing creatures with reach or flying can gain the upper hand by blocking it from a different axis. Lastly, removal spells are always a direct solution; targeted removal can dispatch Bog-Strider Ash before it spirals out of control. Having these techniques at your disposal can neutralize the threat posed by Bog-Strider Ash and secure your triumph in the match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bog-Strider Ash MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Bog-Strider Ash and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bog-Strider Ash has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal