Boggart Shenanigans MTG Card


Boggart Shenanigans leverages goblin deaths for damage, adding value to every creature lost in battle. The card synergizes with goblin swarms, indirectly accelerating damage and pressuring opponents. Its passive, continuous effect provides a game-long threat, influencing opponent decision-making even off-turn.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeTribal Enchantment — Goblin

Text of card

Whenever another Goblin you control is put into a graveyard from play, you may have Boggart Shenanigans deal 1 damage to target player.

Boggarts revel in discovering new sensations, from the texture of an otter pellet to the squeak of a dying warren mate.


Cards like Boggart Shenanigans

Boggart Shenanigans is an intriguing tribute to goblin tribal decks in Magic: The Gathering. It carries similarities to the goblin-themed card Impact Tremors which deals damage to opponents whenever a creature hits the battlefield. Boggart Shenanigans however, focuses on dealing damage when goblins die, promoting a different strategic approach. Both encourage a swarm of creatures but reward different aspects of gameplay.

Another card worth considering is Raid Bombardment. Similar to Boggart Shenanigans, it works well in decks that unleash a deluge of creatures. Its effect provides direct damage to a player whenever a creature with power 2 or less attacks, comparable to the damage trigger on Boggart Shenanigans during a creature’s demise. The choice between the two might rest on a player’s tactical preference between aggressive assaults or leveraging death triggers.

In essence, Boggart Shenanigans earns its spot in goblin-themed decks for its unique benefit of turning every goblin’s death into an offensive advantage. While not as versatile as some damage-dealing enchantments, its specialized effect tailored to a beloved tribe makes it stand out amongst its Magic: The Gathering peers.

Impact Tremors - MTG Card versions
Raid Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Impact Tremors - MTG Card versions
Raid Bombardment - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Boggart Shenanigans provides a unique form of card advantage in red by turning your Goblin casualties into damage against your opponent, effectively squeezing out value from creatures that might otherwise not have a significant impact on the board state.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, this enchantment synergizes well with strategies that deploy numerous Goblins, potentially accelerating your damage output and pressuring your opponent’s life total indirectly through a swarm of Goblin tokens.

Instant Speed: Boggart Shenanigans operates at a passive, continuous effect, complementing plays made at instant speed. It allows you to maintain a threat that persists across the entire game, transcending the limitation of timing your spells only for your own turn. This continuous threat can influence your opponent’s decisions even when you are tapped out or during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Boggart Shenanigans requires you to have a Goblin to sacrifice, which is not always guaranteed. This demand can be problematic during a game where your board presence is weak or you’re facing a creature-light situation.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a red mana source which can be restrictive for multicolored decks that aren’t heavily red. Players may find themselves unable to cast it if their mana base isn’t properly optimized for red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, Boggart Shenanigans can be costly given that it is a tribal-specific enchantment. This can make the card less attractive compared to other three mana cost cards that offer immediate board impact or versatility.


Reasons to Include Boggart Shenanigans in Your Collection

Versatility: Much like the adaptable nature of goblins themselves, Boggart Shenanigans brings value to a variety of red-based decks, especially those that capitalise on tribal synergies. Its ability to deal damage upon the death of your goblin creatures adds an extra layer of threat that opponents must consider.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, especially with cards that generate a multitude of goblins, leading to potential board wipes. Its damage-triggering effect can also be the cornerstone of an explosion of plays that could turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that can often revolve around creature-based strategies, Boggart Shenanigans offers a persistent damage output that can disrupt your opponent’s plans. This can be particularly effective in metas where creature control and sacrifice are prevalent, making it a card worthy of your collection.


How to beat Boggart Shenanigans

Boggart Shenanigans is a unique tribal enchantment in Magic the Gathering that can be quite a nuance for opponents, especially when facing a deck that’s loaded with goblins. The card thrives in an environment where goblin creatures are frequently entering and leaving the battlefield, triggering its ability to deal damage to a player each time a goblin is put into the graveyard from play. Overcoming the challenge of Boggart Shenanigans requires a strategic approach.

To mitigate the impact of this enchantment, one effective strategy is to minimize the number of goblin creatures that your opponent can sacrifice or are destroyed. This may involve using removal spells that exile rather than destroy, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, to prevent the goblin’s death from triggering the enchantment. In addition, running counterspells such as Negate can keep Boggart Shenanigans from hitting the board in the first place. Attacking the problem from a different angle, enchantment removal like Disenchant or Naturalize can take out Boggart Shenanigans directly once it is in play. Keeping this enchantment off the battlefield makes a goblin-centric strategy far less threatening.

Thus, when preparing for a matchup against goblins, remember to pack your deck with efficient removal and countermagic to keep Boggart Shenanigans from tipping the scales in your opponent’s favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the MTG realm with Boggart Shenanigans, a card that transforms goblin losses into direct damage against opponents. As you build your red decks around goblin synergies, this enchantment can serve as a pivotal strategy, leveraging the inevitability of creature demise to your advantage. Master the art of timing and sacrifice to maximise its potential. Let your goblins go out with a bang, chipping away at your adversary’s life total with each departure. Enhance your collection with this strategic gem and refine your gameplay. Ready for a tactical edge? Explore more with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Boggart Shenanigans MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn and Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, 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 Boggart Shenanigans and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Boggart Shenanigans Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Warren Mahy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-10-12LorwynLRW 1552003NormalBlackWarren Mahy
22007-11-16Duel Decks: Elves vs. GoblinsDD1 542003NormalBlackWarren Mahy
32014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. GoblinsEVG 542015NormalBlackWarren Mahy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Boggart Shenanigans has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal