Bushwhack MTG Card


Bushwhack enhances each creature, offering a sudden boost and substantial card advantage. The card’s instant speed allows for disruptive, opportune plays that can pivot the game. Some Bushwhack versions require a card discard, making strategic hand management vital.
Bushwhack - The Brothers' War
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Fight
Released2022-11-18
Set symbol
Set nameThe Brothers' War
Set codeBRO
Number174
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byArtur Nakhodkin

Text of card

Choose one — • Search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. • Target creature you control fights target creature you don't control. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)


Cards like Bushwhack

Bushwhack shines in the vast repertoire of Magic: The Gathering with its burst potential in aggressive red decks. One can draw parallels with the card Goblin Bushwhacker, a close relative in both name and effect, offering an immediate impact by granting other creatures haste and a boost in attack. What sets Bushwhack apart, however, is its ‘kicking’ ability to amplify its effect, something Goblin Bushwhacker doesn’t capitalize on.

Looking at Reckless Bushwhacker, there’s a shared synergy with creatures entering the battlefield within the same turn, again empowering those creatures for a massive attack. Reckless Bushwhacker, akin to the mechanic of Bushwhack, can be surged for an explosive play, remarkably changing the state of the game with one swift move.

In dissecting the intricacies of these cards, it becomes apparent how Bushwhack carves out its niche in the MTG universe. It’s this unique kicking capability that elevates it, providing adaptability and the potential for a surprise onslaught that can catch an opponent off guard and tilt the scales in a player’s favor.

Goblin Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions
Reckless Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions
Reckless Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bushwhack by color, type and mana cost

Hurricane - MTG Card versions
Stream of Life - MTG Card versions
Metamorphosis - MTG Card versions
Winter Blast - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Tutor - MTG Card versions
Fruition - MTG Card versions
Salvage - MTG Card versions
Rofellos's Gift - MTG Card versions
Thrive - MTG Card versions
Chatter of the Squirrel - MTG Card versions
Dwell on the Past - MTG Card versions
Insist - MTG Card versions
Primal Might - MTG Card versions
Scale Up - MTG Card versions
Glimpse of Nature - MTG Card versions
Ancient Stirrings - MTG Card versions
Gelatinous Genesis - MTG Card versions
Corrosive Gale - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Slime Molding - MTG Card versions
Hurricane - MTG Card versions
Stream of Life - MTG Card versions
Metamorphosis - MTG Card versions
Winter Blast - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Tutor - MTG Card versions
Fruition - MTG Card versions
Salvage - MTG Card versions
Rofellos's Gift - MTG Card versions
Thrive - MTG Card versions
Chatter of the Squirrel - MTG Card versions
Dwell on the Past - MTG Card versions
Insist - MTG Card versions
Primal Might - MTG Card versions
Scale Up - MTG Card versions
Glimpse of Nature - MTG Card versions
Ancient Stirrings - MTG Card versions
Gelatinous Genesis - MTG Card versions
Corrosive Gale - MTG Card versions
Prey Upon - MTG Card versions
Slime Molding - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Bushwhack. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul DinosaursGruul Dinosaurs StandardGruul DinosaursTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 8, 2024
Mono-Green StompyMono-Green Stompy GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024
Selesnya EnchantmentsSelesnya Enchantments StandardSelesnya EnchantmentsStandard League 2024-03-27
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Mono-Black TreasuresMono-Black Treasures StandardGolgari MidrangeThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Gruul StompyGruul Stompy GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 10 2024
Golgari ComboGolgari Combo StandardGolgari MidrangeReCQ - Standard - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 12:00 pm (Bronze)
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange StandardGolgari MidrangeJapan Standard Cup: Murders at Karlov Manor
Mono-Green AggroMono-Green Aggro StandardMono-Green AggroBLACK - FRI - 11AM - Chicago 75K Standard Open
GG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 4, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the captivating aspects of a card like Bushwhack is that it potentially turns every creature into a threat by empowering them all at once. This can often mean a sudden swell in board presence, catching opponents off-guard and tipping the scales of the game in your favor. Efficient use of Bushwhack can yield significant card advantage by amplifying the value of every creature you control.

Resource Acceleration: While Bushwhack does not directly accelerate mana resources in the way a traditional ramp spell would, its low mana cost contributes to another type of resource acceleration—tempo. It allows you to commit additional resources to the board the same turn you play other creatures, thus accelerating your game plan and swiftly progressing towards your strategy’s critical point.

Instant Speed: Bushwhack’s design caters to strategic flexibility. By being an instant, it gives players the power to wait for the most opportune moment before unleashing a surge of power onto the battlefield. The ability to react instantly to your opponent’s actions with a crunch-time play disrupts their calculations and has the potential to swing the momentum in your direction.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One noticeable drawback of some Bushwhack cards is their discard requirement. This means you have to discard another card from your hand, essentially trading two cards for one effect. For players who are already dealing with a hand size shortage, this cost can be steep and undermine your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: These cards typically come with a red mana cost, which aligns with their aggressive nature. While this isn’t a con for mono-red or red-centric decks, it does present a challenge for multicolored decks or those with a limited red mana base, potentially stranding Bushwhack cards in your hand when you can’t produce the required mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When compared to other aggressive options in MTG, the mana cost for triggering some of the Bushwhack cards’ effects is on the steeper side. In a fast-paced match where every turn’s mana expenditure is critical, dedicating a significant amount of mana to one spell may not always be the optimal strategy, especially when other cards could advance your board state or apply pressure to your opponent more efficiently.


Reasons to Include Bushwhack Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Bushwhack is an efficient choice for any deck looking to bolster its aggressive capabilities. Its low cost allows for easy inclusion in various aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: In decks aiming to unleash a flurry of creatures onto the battlefield, Bushwhack can amplify that offensive by boosting the power and haste of your creature lineup for that critical turn.

Meta-Relevance: As the game often shifts to favor quick, aggressive playstyles, having Bushwhack in your repertoire gives you an edge to outpace control-centric opponents and dominate the early game.


How to beat

Bushwhack is known for its potential to catch an opponent off-guard and swiftly swing games in favor of the aggressive player. Due to the card’s ability to boost the power of creatures for a surprise attack, one must prepare a robust defense or strategies that limit an opponent’s capabilities. Key to countering Bushwhack involves controlling the battlefied with removal spells or setting up deterrents like creatures that can block multiple attackers.

Playing cards that force your opponent to act on their turn only, such as Teferi, Time Raveler, can nullify the explosive surprise Bushwhack might bring during the combat phase. Likewise, maintaining open mana for instant-speed removal or bounce spells allows you to respond to the Bushwhack play before it overwhelms you. Sweepers like Supreme Verdict can clear the board and dismantle the momentum Bushwhack tries to build.

Strategic anticipation and timing play crucial roles in mitigating the Bushwhack threat. With proper planning and the right set of responses, overcoming this tactic becomes achievable, maintaining the balance of the game and keeping you on a steady path to victory against aggressive strategies that rely on such cards.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of surprise attacks and tempo plays is quintessential in MTG, and Bushwhack is a card that exemplifies this strategy. With its potential to turn tides in your favor, sharpening your playstyle to include such tactical gems is invaluable. We encourage you to seek out the cards that make every match a thrilling venture, leveraging your creatures to devastating effect. Dive in further with us as we explore dynamic deck building and discover how Bushwhack can become a pivotal addition to your arsenal, ensuring your next encounter leaves your opponent in awe. Step up your game and embrace the rush of victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bushwhack MTG card by a specific set like The Brothers' War, 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 Bushwhack and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bushwhack has restrictions

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