Boreal Centaur MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Snow Creature — Centaur Warrior |
| Released | 2006-07-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Coldsnap |
| Set code | CSP |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 104 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Marcelo Vignali |
Text of card
{S}: Boreal Centaur gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn. ({S} can be paid with one mana from a snow permanent.)
Those who used reindeer as beasts of burden knew to avoid the centaurs, who raged at the enslavement of their spirit-kin.
Cards like Boreal Centaur
The Boreal Centaur is a unique creature in MTG’s vast pantheon, offering a blend of strength and utility in frosty landscapes. It shares its creature type, Centaur, with other notable entries like Centaur Courser. Although both creatures have the same creature type and similar power/toughness ratios, Boreal Centaur boasts an ability that allows it to become untapped whenever a snow land is tapped for mana. This feature sets it apart from the straightforwardness of Centaur Courser, which offers no additional abilities.
Likewise, Rimehorn Aurochs offers a snow-related mechanic that can benefit from the numerous snow lands in your deck. While the Aurochs can clear the way for your creatures to attack by tapping your opponent’s creatures, Boreal Centaur’s ability is more defensive, potentially foiling attackers by untapping unpredictably. Yet another comparison could be made with Frostweb Spider, a lesser-power creature that excels at defending against flying creatures, leveraging the snow mana to enhance its reach.
Deck builders who prioritize versatility might see Boreal Centaur as a multifaceted option. Its ability to untap can surprise opponents and offer strategic defensive capabilities, increasing its standing among creatures that interact with snow lands in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Boreal Centaur by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Boreal Centaur provides a strategic edge by allowing you to potentially replace itself on the battlefield when it dies, maintaining the number of resources in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: With its ability to tap for mana, Boreal Centaur can contribute to accelerating your resources, enabling you to play more impactful spells sooner than your opponents.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of being able to cast the Boreal Centaur at instant speed gives you the upper hand, allowing you to adapt to the evolving game state and make decisions with the most current information.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Boreal Centaur comes with a discard requirement to utilize certain abilities. This cost can deplete your hand, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage if you are unable to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Costing both green and snow mana makes the Boreal Centaur’s mana cost restrictive. It necessitates a dedicated snow deck archetype, potentially reducing its versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Boreal Centaur has unique abilities, its combined mana cost might be seen as steep when compared to other creatures in the same cost range. This could affect the speed and tempo of your gameplay, especially in fast-paced matches.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Boreal Centaur is a flexible card that can adapt to various deck themes, especially those in the snow archetype, as well as green-based aggressive strategies. Its ability to fit into multiple game plans makes it a solid addition to collections.
Combo Potential: As a creature with the snow supertype, it works seamlessly with other snow cards and mechanics, such as synergizing with tap and untap abilities or benefiting from snow mana generation for an enhanced effect.
Meta-Relevance: Given its moderate mana cost and the advantage of being a snow creature, Boreal Centaur can play an important role in formats where snow decks or green aggro strategies are prevalent in the meta.
How to beat
The Boreal Centaur is a unique card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering players who thrive on versatility and adaptability a chance to flex their strategic muscles. When considering how to outmaneuver this snowy creature, think about the timing and choice of your removal spells. Utilize instant-speed removal that can deal with the centaur before it becomes monstrous with its snow-mana activated ability. Since the centaur relies on snow lands, land destruction or land manipulation can severely cripple its effectiveness on the battlefield.
Another approach is to go on the offensive early. Overwhelm your opponent before they have the opportunity to fully leverage the Boreal Centaur’s power with an aggressive deck. The centaur may hold its ground in a prolonged game, but it’s less intimidating when faced with a swift and powerful onslaught. Cards that can bypass the centaur’s potential defenses, such as creatures with flying or unblockable capabilities, can prove invaluable.
Lastly, don’t overlook the power of combat tricks. Tricks that can alter the centaur’s power and toughness or negate its effects during combat can catch an opponent off guard, allowing you to take control of the game. Adapting to situational needs against the Boreal Centaur can mean the difference between victory and defeat in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Boreal Centaur MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap, 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 Boreal Centaur 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 Boreal Centaur has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |