Boros Mastiff MTG Card

Boros Mastiff can give card advantage by deterring attacks with its battalion ability. Efficient in Boros-colored decks, its specific mana cost limits its deck inclusion. Mastiff’s utility shines in battalion-focused decks, boosting early game combat.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Dog
Abilities	Battalion
Released	2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dragon's Maze
Set code	DGM
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	1
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Text of card

Battalion — Whenever Boros Mastiff and at least two other creatures attack, Boros Mastiff gains lifelink until end of turn. (Damage dealt by a creature with lifelink also causes its controller to gain that much life.)

Cards like Boros Mastiff

The Boros Mastiff may not command attention like some of MTG’s heavyweight creatures, but this modest card finds its niche within decks emphasizing battalion and swarm strategies. Positioned alongside the ever-loyal Alaborn Musketeer, Mastiff’s utility becomes evident as both creatures bolster your forces for a minimal mana investment. While the Musketeer proposes the potential for reach, Boros Mastiff brings with it lifelink during the combat phase, when battalion is active. This adds a small but meaningful buffer to your life total.

Survey the landscape of two-drop creatures, and you’ll encounter the Keen Apparition. This spectral ally shares the Mastiff’s casting cost and power, yet diverges in offering enchantment removal – a handy tool against decks that rely on such permanents. Lastly, Daring Skyjek stands out for its ability to take to the skies, providing evasion as long as you command a small army.

While Boros Mastiff may not boast the versatility of other two-drops, in the correctly synergized battalion deck, its contribution to your combat strategy and life sustainment is undeniable, making it a card worth considering for those who favor the aggressive Boros Legion playstyle.

Cards similar to Boros Mastiff by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: While the Boros Mastiff may not directly provide card draw, it can contribute to card advantage by holding its ground in combat. Its battalion ability, which gives it a power boost, could deter opponents from attacking and effectively preserves the cards on your side of the battlefield. This indirect preservation of cards can be just as valuable as drawing cards in some situations, as it keeps your resources intact.

Resource Acceleration: The Boros Mastiff aligns well with the aggressive Boros strategy, where every turn counts. While the mastiff itself doesn’t produce mana or tokens, it can put pressure on your opponent early in the game. This pressure can force an opponent to use their resources inefficiently, effectively giving you a resource advantage as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: The Boros Mastiff operates at sorcery speed, but the presence of instant speed spells in your deck can enhance its effectiveness. By holding back instant spells, you potentially bluff counterplay to your opponent, making the mastiff’s attacks safer or causing the opponent to hesitate and misallocate their resources, thus giving you a tactical edge during combat phases.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Boros Mastiff doesn’t demand a card discard from your hand, card synergies that complement its battalion ability often do, which could deplete valuable resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Boros Mastiff requires both white and red mana, which can restrict its inclusion to strictly Boros-colored decks or those with ample mana-fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the Mastiff’s mana cost isn’t exorbitant, it’s important to consider the opportunity cost of playing a 2/2 creature for two mana in a meta where more impactful two-drops are available.

Reasons to Include Boros Mastiff in Your Collection

Versatility: Boros Mastiff is a flexible addition to any deck that seeks early board presence. Its low mana cost allows for quick deployment, suitable for aggressive starts or defending against them.

Combo Potential: With the right synergies, like cards that boost lifelink or utilize tapping mechanics, Boros Mastiff’s potential can be maximized, turning it into a key component of inventive combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggressive decks are common, Boros Mastiff can serve as an early-game roadblock or an essential lifelink creature to outpace your opponents in life totals.

How to beat

The Boros Mastiff may seem intimidating with its battalion ability, which can quickly tip the scales in your opponent’s favor. This card becomes a threat when attacking with two other creatures, swelling in strength and proving a challenge to block effectively. But fear not, as there are tried and true methods to ensure the Mastiff doesn’t outpace your strategy on the battlefield.

Removal spells are your first line of defense; they can easily target and eliminate the Mastiff before its battalion ability has a chance to activate. Cards such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile offer an efficient solution to this growing threat. Controlling the board is also critical. Utilizing cards that create tokens or summon multiple creatures can put you in a better position to either block the Mastiff or maintain superiority on the battlefield, negating its numerical advantage.

Ultimately, understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s battalion buildup is key. Focused removal, strategic creature placement, and reactive play will ensure that the Boros Mastiff doesn’t take a bite out of your game plan. Adapt and master these tactics, and you’ll find beating this card becomes a straightforward task.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Boros Mastiff MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Boros Mastiff and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Boros Mastiff has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-04-15	Once a battalion ability has triggered, it doesn’t matter how many creatures are still attacking when that ability resolves.
2013-04-15	The effects of battalion abilities vary from card to card. Read each card carefully.
2013-04-15	The three attacking creatures don’t have to be attacking the same player or planeswalker.