Boot Nipper MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Released | 2020-04-24 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths |
| Set code | IKO |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 76 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Nicholas Gregory |
Text of card
Boot Nipper enters the battlefield with your choice of a deathtouch counter or a lifelink counter on it.
"I have a number of hyper-specific phobias and this somehow hits all of them." —Aaru, Zagoth lumberjack
Cards like Boot Nipper
Boot Nipper stands out in the creature category of Magic: The Gathering. It finds its companions in Serrated Scorpion and Vampire of the Dire Moon, both of which share a two-cost value. Boot Nipper’s unique offering is the choice it presents upon entering the battlefield – granting either deathtouch or lifelink. This adaptability contrasts with Serrated Scorpion, which is inherently geared towards a death-trigger strategy, dealing damage to opponents and gaining you life when it dies.
Moving on to the Vampire of the Dire Moon, this creature always comes with deathtouch and lifelink but lacks the element of choice that Boot Nipper offers. The Vampire does, however, boast a flying ability, which can be crucial for evasion tactics. When it comes to Knight of the Ebon Legion, although it’s a one-drop, it requires additional mana investments to grow its power and toughness and gain deathtouch, while Boot Nipper arrives already equipped with one of these powerful abilities.
Ultimately, each card has its merit depending on the deck’s strategy, but Boot Nipper’s flexibility to adapt to the immediate board state makes it uniquely versatile among its counterparts in Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Boot Nipper may seem modest, but it’s a fantastic way to ensure you maintain card value on the board. When it enters the battlefield, you choose a counter that either makes it more resilient with a deathtouch counter or able to take down larger creatures, thanks to a lifelink counter, effectively acting like two cards in one. This adaptability can snag you unexpected advantages over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: While Boot Nipper itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, being a low-cost creature makes it an ideal play early in the game. It allows you to preserve your more powerful spells and resources for later while still establishing board presence. Plus, the versatility in choosing its counter can help you tailor your strategy without expending additional resources.
Instant Speed: Boot Nipper isn’t cast at instant speed, but its flexibility can impact plays much like an instant. Selecting deathtouch can immediately turn it into a potent defender, deterring attacks. Choosing lifelink provides a way to quickly regain life during combat. This creature’s strength lies in the choices you can make at the critical moment it hits the battlefield, influencing the game’s tempo and putting your opponent on the back foot.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For some players, the Boot Nipper’s ability may seem less appealing when considering potential discard synergies in a deck. Although it doesn’t require a discard to play, a card slot taken by Boot Nipper could sometimes mean missing out on other cards that enable better discard strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Boot Nipper has a strict colorless mana cost, meaning you must have the exact mana available, which could be inconvenient when managing a multi-colored mana base, thus reducing its flexibility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluated on a scale of mana efficiency, Boot Nipper’s cost may be seen as high for its base stats. In a competitive setting, there are creatures with similar or lower mana costs that offer additional abilities or greater power/toughness, potentially giving them an edge over Boot Nipper.
Reasons to Include Boot Nipper in Your Collection
Versatility: Boot Nipper stands out as a flexible card, effortlessly slotting into various deck types. With its ability to choose between deathtouch or lifelink, it becomes a tailored solution against aggressive creatures or an asset for gaining life.
Combo Potential: Given its dual nature, Boot Nipper can synergize with strategies that capitalize on either of its abilities. In a deck that values life gain, this creature enhances your ability to stay in the game, while in a poison-based strategy, deathtouch becomes a valuable tool to control the board.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving game environment, Boot Nipper can adapt to the prevalent style of play. Against creature-heavy decks, its deathtouch serves as a potent deterrent, and in slower, grindy matchups, the lifelink can provide critical longevity.
How to beat
Boot Nipper presents an interesting challenge in the world of Magic: The Gathering, particularly for its versatility in early gameplay. With its capability to either come into play with deathtouch or a +1/+1 counter, this creature can adapt to various situations, making it a resilient opponent. The key to overcoming Boot Nipper lies in efficient removal spells. Instantaneous spells like Shock or Fatal Push can easily dispatch the creature before its effects become problematic. Controlling the battlefield with board wipes or using enchantments that prevent creatures from dealing damage can also nullify Boot Nipper’s advantages.
Looking wider, cards that prevent counters—like Solemnity, can render the +1/+1 option moot. Alternatively, the deathtouch ability has little impact when faced with indestructible creatures or those with protection from black. Efficient trading is crucial; using creatures you’re willing to lose or those with first strike to combat Boot Nipper can maintain your momentum. It’s essential to consider the surrounding deck strategy as well—the supportive cards and synergies that can amplify Boot Nipper’s threat on the board.
Ultimately, understanding the mechanics at play and timing your responses with precision can ensure that this seemingly inconspicuous reptile doesn’t become a thorn in your side during the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Boot Nipper MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Boot Nipper 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Boot Nipper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |