Bouncer's Beatdown MTG Card


Bouncer’s Beatdown offers control via creature bounce, enhancing strategic gameplay and board advantage. Its instant speed and versatility make it a powerful choice for various MTG deck strategies. Though potent, Bouncer’s Beatdown’s constraints can be mitigated with clever play and timing.
Bouncer's Beatdown - Streets of New Capenna
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2022-04-29
Set symbol
Set nameStreets of New Capenna
Set codeSNC
Number135
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMathias Kollros

Text of card

This spell costs less to cast if it targets a black permanent. Bouncer's Beatdown deals X damage to target creature or planeswalker, where X is the greatest power among creatures you control. If that creature or planeswalker would die this turn, exile it instead.


Cards like Bouncer's Beatdown

Bouncer’s Beatdown stands out in the realm of creature control spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterpart could be Unsummon, which also returns a creature to its owner’s hand. Yet, Bouncer’s Beatdown delivers a unique twist – it offers the choice to return multiple creatures if specific conditions are met. Unsummon doesn’t present this option, targeting only one creature without additional value for the caster.

Another competitor in this space is Boomerang. Like Bouncer’s Beatdown, Boomerang allows the player to disrupt the opponent’s board state. However, it provides more versatility by targeting any permanent, not only creatures. Boomerang’s two-blue mana cost is an essential factor, as it could be less restrictive than Bouncer’s Beatdown’s conditional kickers.

Examining these cards side by side showcases Bouncer’s Beatdown’s potential in decks designed to maximize creature bounce strategies. While Unsummon and Boomerang serve similar purposes with straightforward effects, Bouncer’s Beatdown offers an adaptable tactical advantage, making it a valuable tool for players seeking to control the board and pace of the game.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bouncer’s Beatdown can turn the tide of a match by letting you potentially remove an opponent’s creature from the game. Every time you successfully bounce an adversary’s creature back to their hand, you effectively diminish their board presence, securing you an advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Efficiently costed, this card allows for smart mana management. Even though it doesn’t directly generate additional mana or tokens, Bouncer’s Beatdown permits you to allocate resources more flexibly, disrupting your opponent’s curve and development while you continue to deploy threats or hold up mana for other responses.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Bouncer’s Beatdown ensures that you’re always a threat during your opponent’s turn. Waiting for the perfect moment to cast it, perhaps in response to an opponent’s action or at the end of their turn, can provide a significant strategic edge, allowing you to navigate and control the pace of gameplay with precision.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bouncer’s Beatdown requires a card to be discarded when you cast it, which can set you back if your hand is already dwindling or if you lose a crucial card that might be needed for future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Bouncer’s Beatdown, you need to have both blue and red mana, making it less versatile for multicolored decks that may not consistently generate the necessary mana combination, thereby restricting its use to specific archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of three mana including both blue and red, it may prove costly compared to other control options. This can be particularly detrimental in the early game when mana efficiency is key to establishing board presence and tempo.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bouncer’s Beatdown is a card that can seamlessly integrate into various deck types. With its ability to disrupt opponents and control the board, it’s a match for both aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: For players keen on intricate plays, its removal aspect pairs well with strategies emphasizing creatures returning from the graveyard or benefiting from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Decks in the current competitive scene often revolve around creature-based strategies. Bouncer’s Beatdown serves as an efficient tool to handle potential threats and maintain board presence in such an environment.


How to beat

Bouncer’s Beatdown presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to provide creatures temporary invincibility. This card stands out by enabling targeted creatures to avoid destruction for a turn, making it a formidable tactic in any player’s arsenal. However, there is a strategic approach to overcoming this hurdle. Timing is crucial—by holding onto your removal spells until the end of your opponent’s turn, you can effectively bypass Bouncer’s Beatdown’s protection. Additionally, employing counterspells when your opponent casts Bouncer’s Beatdown can nullify its effect before it even takes hold.

Adapting your playstyle is key when facing this card. Incorporate spells that don’t target creatures, such as board wipes, to circumvent the card’s protective bubble. This avoids the shield Bouncer’s Beatdown offers altogether. Moreover, focus on building board presence that doesn’t rely on targeting opposing creatures, therefore rendering Bouncer’s Beatdown’s effect negligible to your game plan. As such, while the card can seemingly tip the scales, astute players can find reliable methods to counteract its influence and maintain control of the game’s flow.

To summarize, by targeting vulnerabilities in the timing and mechanics of Bouncer’s Beatdown, and adapting strategies to bypass its protective measures, players can successfully navigate against the card’s intended advantage and secure their position in the match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bouncer's Beatdown MTG card by a specific set like Streets of New Capenna, 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 Bouncer's Beatdown and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bouncer's Beatdown has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal