Burrowing MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 13 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Enchantment — Aura |
Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains mountainwalk.
Cards like Burrowing
Burrowing is a unique enchantment card in MTG that endows a creature with the ability to be unblockable as long as the defending player controls at least one plains. Resembling this tactical edge, there’s the spell Seismic Stomp which, albeit only temporary, makes creatures without flying unblockable for a turn. The main difference lies in permanence versus a one-off effect.
When considering permanence, Spirit Mantle provides a similar boon, bestowing protection from creatures to ensure its attached creature can often attack unimpeded. Yet, unlike Burrowing, it shields against all creatures regardless of land type and adds a power boost. Conversely, Trailblazer’s Boots is an equipment that renders its wearer unblockable by virtue of nonbasic landwalk, a broader condition given the diversity of nonbasic lands in players’ decks.
While Burrowing sets a specific prerequisite linked to a common land type, its enchantment nature means it can persistently affect the board’s dynamics. This gives it strategic merit in formats where plains are frequently played, positioning it as a niche but potent tool in the right deck.
Cards similar to Burrowing by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The utility of Burrowing extends beyond its initial play. Its enchantment feature can potentially disrupt your opponent’s board state, giving you an indirect form of card advantage by limiting their options.
Resource Acceleration: By enhancing a creature’s ability to avoid being blocked, Burrowing can accelerate your resource damage, pushing through critical points of damage to your opponent more efficiently than an unmodified creature.
Instant Speed: The ability to equip Burrowing at instant speed offers remarkable flexibility, allowing you to react to battlefield changes and adapt to incoming threats or surprise your opponent with a sudden shift in tactics.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Burrowing can provide a strategic advantage by granting mountainwalk, it requires you to discard a card when you play it. This can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options in critical moments of the game. Especially in tight situations, where every card counts, this additional cost can significantly set you back.
Specific Mana Cost: Burrowing’s casting cost demands two red mana, which might not be a concern in a mono-red deck. However, in a multicolor deck, this requirement could pose a challenge, potentially leading to a delay in its deployment. Consequently, this makes Burrowing a less versatile choice when building a deck with a diversified mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, Burrowing grants only one creature mountainwalk, which could be seen as a steep cost when compared to other enhancement cards available. This could put you at a disadvantage when trying to maintain a robust board presence since you might be sacrificing tempo and resources for an effect that, while useful, may not always turn the tide of the game.
Reasons to Include Burrowing in Your Collection
Versatility: Burrowing offers a unique flexibility to red decks, allowing creatures the chance to evade blockers by granting them mountainwalk. This often catches opponents off-guard and can be the deciding factor in games where board control is tight.
Combo Potential: The enchantment pairs well with cards that alter land types or with strategies looking to capitalize on landwalk abilities. Integrating Burrowing into a setup amplifies the effectiveness of land-based tactics, creating opportunities for game-changing plays.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts and players experiment with different land types or defense-oriented decks, Burrowing can offer a strategic advantage by making your creatures virtually unblockable. Staying ahead of the curve and anticipating meta trends can make this card a powerful asset in your arsenal.
How to beat
Burrowing is one of those cards in Magic: The Gathering that can turn the tide in favor of creatures with lesser might, providing them an edge with its unblockable feature when attacking alone. To overcome this card, it’s crucial for players to have a strategy that doesn’t rely solely on blocking creatures. Instead, look for cards that can remove an opponent’s creatures before they become an issue. Board wipes such as Wrath of God offer a clean slate by destroying all creatures, circumventing the need to block. Spot removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can target specific threats without having to block them.
Alternatively, prioritize control elements such as counter spells that can prevent your opponent from ever playing Burrowing. Counterspell and Mana Leak are excellent examples of these tactics. Moreover, consider strategies that outrun or neutralize the one creature that might be armed with Burrowing. Cards that can overpower or provide lifegain faster than the Burrowing creature can deal damage might also serve as a reliable game plan. In the ever-shifting landscape of Magic: The Gathering, staying one step ahead of such enchantments could make all the difference.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Burrowing MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Burrowing and other MTG cards:
BUY NOWBurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Burrowing Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 138 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 139 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 139 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 139 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 139 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 140 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 140 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 140 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 180 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Daniel Gelon | |
10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 180 | 1993 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
11 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 170 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
12 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 135 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 432 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Burrowing has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |