Boneshard Slasher MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Horror |
| Abilities | Flying,Threshold |
| Released | 2002-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Torment |
| Set code | TOR |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 50 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spencer |
Text of card
Flying Threshold Boneshard Slasher gets +2/+2 and has "When Boneshard Slasher becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it." (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)
Cards like Boneshard Slasher
The Boneshard Slasher is a unique creature card that brings versatility to Magic: The Gathering decks. In this regard, the Slasher can bear resemblance to other creatures within the spectral space, such as the Duskborne Skymarcher. While the Skymarcher offers an early game presence and an ability to boost others, the Slasher’s strength lies in its adaptability, thriving on the use of the morbid mechanic, which can give it a power increase when another creature dies.
Another similar card is Vampire Lacerator, which, like Boneshard Slasher, is a low-cost creature that can deal substantial damage early on. However, Lacerator has a detrimental effect that can chip away at your life total unless you’re commanding the board, whereas Boneshard Slasher’s potential grows as the board develops without directly harming its controller. Then there’s the Tenacious Dead, which brings a different kind of resilience to the table. The Slasher doesn’t return from the graveyard as the Dead does, but instead, it may become more formidable as the game progresses, given the right conditions.
Each card offers a distinct advantage for aggressive strategies, with the Boneshard Slasher shining as a card that can grow stronger through the natural course of a game and potentially overtake its counterparts in power.
Cards similar to Boneshard Slasher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Boneshard Slasher offers players an edge by potentially returning from the graveyard to the battlefield, resulting in increased card presence without depleting hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, the Boneshard Slasher enables quicker deployment of threats on the board, effectively speeding up your play pace and increasing pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: The ability to return Boneshard Slasher to the battlefield at instant speed provides tactical advantages, allowing you to surprise your opponent during their turn or after they’ve committed to an unfavorable attack or block.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the challenges when playing Boneshard Slasher is the additional sacrifice necessary to trigger its strengths. Players must discard a card to leverage its full potential, which can deplete crucial hand resources, especially in tight game scenarios.
Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for precise mana alignment could restrict the integration of Boneshard Slasher into a variety of deck builds. It’s not just about having the right amount of mana but also the appropriate type, making it less flexible than cards with generic mana costs.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing the mana cost against its capabilities often sees Boneshard Slasher come up short in comparison to other choices. In environments where mana efficiency can dictate the pace and outcome of the game, the card may not always provide the competitive edge needed.
Reasons to Include Boneshard Slasher in Your Collection
Versatility: Boneshard Slasher’s capability to grow through threshold makes it a flexible pick for decks that aim to fill the graveyard. This fits well not only in dedicated graveyard strategies but also in decks that incidentally benefit from having several cards in the graveyard.
Combo Potential: With its power-boosting ability when threshold is achieved, Boneshard Slasher synergizes well with self-mill tactics, enabling various combos with cards designed to exploit a stocked graveyard, adding a layer of aggressiveness to such strategies.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames shift towards graveyard-based strategies or slower, value-based games, Boneshard Slasher becomes especially relevant. It can serve as an efficient, recurring threat that must be answered by opponents in contexts where games are drawn out and graveyards become filled up.
How to Beat Boneshard Slasher
Boneshard Slasher presents itself as a formidable force in Magic: The Gathering, creating a dynamic through its threshold ability that can quickly escalate its power on the battlefield. To outmaneuver this relentless foe, it’s essential to disrupt the graveyard synergies that fuel its strength. Dealing with discarded card mechanics through graveyard hate cards like Tormod’s Crypt ensures that the threshold doesn’t activate, curtailing the Slasher’s looming threat.
Moreover, swift removal spells are your ally in controlling the presence of Boneshard Slasher; utilizing spells that exile such as Path to Exile or even the flexible Assassin’s Trophy can guarantee its permanent departure from the game. In addition, keeping your opponent’s graveyard lean limits the Slasher’s potential. More direct and universal answers like board sweepers—heavy-hitting spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation—can also reset the field, neutralizing the menace of a powered-up Slasher among other threats. Ensuring you have these placeholders in your strategy vault can turn the tides against a Boneshard Slasher-led assault.
Ultimately, the smart strategy and judicious use of removals are key to a victorious outcome. Always be prepared, as the Boneshard Slasher is just one of the many challenges you’ll face in the complex world of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Boneshard Slasher MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Boneshard Slasher and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Boneshard Slasher has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |