Bone Rattler MTG Card
2019-11-07 - Number 35
2021-08-20 - Number 35
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Skeleton |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
When CARDNAME is put into your graveyard from anywhere, exile it. When you do, create four Reassembling Skeleton token cards and put them into your graveyard.
Cards like Bone Rattler
Bone Rattler finds its place in the pantheon of self-reanimating creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It could draw parallels with Gutterbones or Bloodsoaked Champion, which share the trait of returning from the graveyard to the battlefield. Yet, Bone Rattler carves a niche with its unique twist; cycling it from your hand enables a bit of deck manipulation and a potential surprise blocker when resurrected from the graveyard.
Another card of note is Reassembling Skeleton, which offers a similar come-back capability, albeit at the cost of mana and a turn’s wait, given its activation restriction to your turn only. Conversely, Bone Rattler’s cycling is more flexible, though it requires a card discard. Dread Wanderer also showcases resurgence from the graveyard. However, it’s bound by the state of your hand, only returning if you have one or fewer cards, a condition Bone Rattler does not share.
All in all, within MTG’s recur-friendly creature suite, Bone Rattler presents an alluring mix of graveyard interaction and on-demand utility, positioning it as a resourceful option for decks that thrive on strategic graveyard play.
Cards similar to Bone Rattler by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bone Rattler offers players a strategic edge by potentially turning the tide in their favor through efficient graveyard management. Drawing a card from its triggered ability helps maintain a player’s momentum and can set up powerful graveyard synergies. This two-fold utility makes Bone Rattler an asset in decks that benefit from drawing and selectively stocking the graveyard.
Resource Acceleration: By granting the option to discard a card, Bone Rattler subtly aids in resource acceleration. Whether fueling reanimation strategies or enabling the use of mechanics like Madness or Delve, the card smoothly integrates into strategies that thrive on rapid resource churn. This simple discard effect opens the door for a higher-tempo playstyle that can surprise opponents and shift the game in your favor.
Instant Speed: A versatile toolkit, Bone Rattler functions at instant speed, ensuring you have flexible responses during the critical turns of play. This allows savvy players to maximize their mana efficiency, respond to opponents’ threats on the fly, and seamlessly integrate the card into complex gamestates. Its instant nature equips you with a refined form of control, adding a layer of unpredictability and tactical depth to your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Bone Rattler demands the player to toss another card from their hand into the graveyard to harness its full potential. This mechanic can be a significant drawback, especially when your hand is already running on empty, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Bone Rattler is not as flexible as some players would prefer. Its specific mana requirements mean that you might struggle to summon it in a timely fashion unless your deck is tailored to produce the exact combination of mana needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the efficiency of cards, Bone Rattler’s mana expenditure stands out. Other cards in the same mana range may be more accessible and offer greater utility or impact on the game, casting a shadow over Bone Rattler’s role in competitive play.
Reasons to Include Bone Rattler in Your Collection
Versatility: Bone Rattler is a flexible addition for assorted deck archetypes, amplifying strategies that thrive on graveyard interactions or seek aggressive early plays.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes with decks focusing on reanimation or sacrifice mechanics, enabling complex plays that can be built around its death trigger ability.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based tactics are prevalent, Bone Rattler’s ability to disrupt opponent creatures while providing value for its controller makes it a pertinent choice.
How to beat
Bone Rattler emerges as an intriguing card in the MTG universe, featuring abilities that could turn the tides of the game. Nonetheless, like any strategic element in Magic: The Gathering, understanding its weaknesses is key to gaining an upper hand. To effectively counter Bone Rattler, consider incorporating graveyard disruption tactics into your deck; this approach limits its recursion potential. Cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can be particularly effective here.
An alternative method to handle Bone Rattler centers around denying your opponent the chance to capitalize on its death-triggered abilities. Utilize exile effects or spells that specify “exile target creature” to ensure that Bone Rattler doesn’t linger in the graveyard, primed for a return. Moreover, utilizing instant-speed removal can disrupt your opponent’s plans, leaving them without the benefits they sought to reap from Bone Rattler’s demise.
Ultimately, your strategy against Bone Rattler should focus on preemptive measures and reactive plays that mitigate the card’s strengths. Keep an eye out for tools that align with this philosophy, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering the match-up against this skeletal threat in your MTG encounters.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bone Rattler MTG card by a specific set like Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 and Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021, 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 Bone Rattler and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Bone Rattler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2019-11-07 and 2021-08-20. Illustrated by Ira Humphrey.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2019 | CMB1 | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ira Humphrey | |
| 2 | 2021-08-20 | Mystery Booster Playtest Cards 2021 | CMB2 | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ira Humphrey |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bone Rattler card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2019-11-12 | A Reassembling Skeleton token card is a 1/1 Skeleton Warrior creature with a mana cost of and the ability “: Return Reassembling Skeleton from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.” |
| 2019-11-12 | For effects that look for or modify the creation of tokens, creating token cards isn’t the same as creating tokens. |
| 2019-11-12 | If a token card is put into a hidden zone, you must use a supplementary token card with a Magic card back to represent it. Since these don’t exist yet, you may need to be creative. |
| 2019-11-12 | Unlike a normal token, a token card doesn’t cease to exist in a zone other than the battlefield. It’s both a token and a card. It can move between zones any number of times and continues to exist for the rest of the game. |