Boneyard Scourge MTG Card


Graveyard-centric decks benefit from the Scourge’s ability to recur, enhancing card advantage over time. It’s a flexible threat with instant-speed recursion, adding unpredictability to gameplay. Balancing its discard trigger with hand management is key to maximizing its potential.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Zombie Dragon
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying Whenever a Dragon you control dies while Boneyard Scourge is in your graveyard, you may pay . If you do, return Boneyard Scourge from your graveyard to the battlefield.

Death arrives on tattered wings and stolen bones.


Cards like Boneyard Scourge

Boneyard Scourge is a noteworthy creature card to consider for any black deck centered around dragon synergy in Magic: The Gathering. It shares its Zombie Dragon creature type with cards like Bladewing the Risen, which also plays into graveyard mechanics, offering a chance for reanimation. However, Boneyard Scourge is distinct in its ability to recur itself from the graveyard whenever another dragon enters the battlefield under your control, providing a tenacious board presence.

Another comparable card is Scourge of Nel Toth, which has a similar mechanic allowing it to be cast from the graveyard. Though Scourge of Nel Toth requires two additional black creature sacrifices, it is a stronger entity with higher power and toughness. Boneyard Scourge is advantageous for its simpler and less costly requirement for recursion – the arrival of a new dragon ally. Moreover, Dragon Tempest is an enchantment that synergizes well with dragon-themed decks like those containing Boneyard Scourge, granting haste to newly summoned dragons and dealing damage based on the number of dragons you control.

Each card offers unique benefits within a dragon-centric strategy, making Boneyard Scourge a solid choice for its self-reanimation ability that can repeatedly bolster your dragon forces in Magic: The Gathering.

Bladewing the Risen - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Nel Toth - MTG Card versions
Dragon Tempest - MTG Card versions
Bladewing the Risen - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Nel Toth - MTG Card versions
Dragon Tempest - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Boneyard Scourge provides strategic benefits for decks centered around graveyard mechanics. Its ability to return to the battlefield from the graveyard when another Zombie enters the field can equate to recurring card advantage, particularly in longer matches where card resources become increasingly vital.

Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a form of resource acceleration, especially in decks built for synergy with Zombie creatures. Each return of the Scourge to the battlefield represents not only a creature presence but also the potential to economize mana over time that would otherwise be spent casting new creatures.

Instant Speed: While the Boneyard Scourge itself is not an instant, it responds at instant speed to the trigger of a Zombie entering play, making it an unpredictable and flexible threat. This allows sagacious players to maximise their turns, strategising the best moments to introduce a new zombie and thus bring the Scourge back into the fray.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Boneyard Scourge presents a tricky choice by requiring a zombie card discard in order to trigger its ability. This could lead to a strategic disadvantage should your hand be lacking in zombies or if you’re trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: With a requirement for one black and two generic mana, Boneyard Scourge’s casting cost could pose a stumbling block in multicolored decks not heavily invested in swamps or mana-fixing capabilities, potentially delaying its play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Boneyard Scourge enters the battlefield with a mana value of four, which is a significant investment for its 3/3 stats. When evaluating its cost relative to impact, players might find alternatives that provide higher value or more immediate board presence for the same investment.


Reasons to Include Boneyard Scourge in Your Collection

Versatility: Boneyard Scourge has a solid place in many deck archetypes, particularly those leveraging the power of graveyard mechanics and recursion strategies. Its ability to return from the graveyard when a Dragon you control dies makes it a resilient threat in dragon-themed decks.

Combo Potential: This creature serves as a key component in combos with cards that manipulate or benefit from death triggers. As a Zombie Dragon, it also offers synergy across two popular creature types, increasing its compatibility with various tribal strategies.

Meta-Relevance: Given that graveyard interaction is a consistent element in competitive play, Boneyard Scourge remains relevant. With a meta that appreciates resilient creatures, it can be a formidable addition, capable of returning to the battlefield and applying pressure repeatedly.


How to Beat Boneyard Scourge

Boneyard Scourge is a resilient creature card that poses a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to return from the graveyard whenever a dragon you control dies can make it seem almost immortal. This quality means direct removal spells won’t be a definitive solution due to its potential to reemerge on the battlefield.

To effectively neutralize Boneyard Scourge, aim to incorporate exile effects or graveyard disruption into your deck. Using exile cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares removes it from the game entirely, therefore preventing its return. Alternatively, leveraging graveyard hate cards such as Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze can ensure Boneyard Scourge stays buried by continually purging graveyards.

Prevention strategy is also key. This involves controlling the battlefield by keeping dragon populations in check or utilizing counter spells to stop the Boneyard Scourge from hitting the field in the first place. Cards with Counterspell or Negate can prove invaluable in this instance. In summary, tackling Boneyard Scourge calls for a combination of preemptive play and targeted deck construction to ensure this daunting adversary doesn’t keep clawing its way back to the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the Boneyard Scourge’s strengths and limits is crucial for MTG players aiming to harness its power. The Scourge’s ability to rise from the graveyard provides exceptional value in the right deck. This unique trait, combined with the knowledge on how to mitigate its high mana cost and the challenge of discard requirements, can turn this card into a game-changing asset. If you want to deepen your strategy and incorporate Boneyard Scourge effectively into your gameplay, we encourage you to join fellow enthusiasts and experts in discussion. Together, we can explore its potential and optimal use for your deck’s success. Dive in and discover how to upgrade your MTG experience with Boneyard Scourge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Boneyard Scourge MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2017, 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 Boneyard Scourge and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Boneyard Scourge Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2017-08-25. Illustrated by Grzegorz Rutkowski.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 656872015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 152015NormalBlackGrzegorz Rutkowski

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Boneyard Scourge has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2017-08-25 If Boneyard Scourge dies at the same time as another Dragon you control, its ability won’t trigger.
2017-08-25 If Boneyard Scourge leaves your graveyard before its triggered ability resolves, it won’t be returned to the battlefield.