Farbog Boneflinger MTG Card
2012-02-03 - Number 61
2016-08-26 - Number 134
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Farbog Boneflinger acts as removal upon entering the battlefield, providing both creature and spell benefits.
- Its graveyard synergy is strong, propelling decks focused on reanimation or graveyard strategies.
- Flexible card suited for metagame shifts, valuable for Board control in various MTG formats.
Text of card
When Farbog Boneflinger enters the battlefield, target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
"Here are some bones for you to choke on, dear brother!" —Gisa, to Geralf
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Farbog Boneflinger facilitates board presence by allowing you to remove an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield. This can potentially disrupt your opponent’s plans and swing the momentum in your favor, acting as both a creature and a removal spell in one, enhancing your card efficiency.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or acceleration in the traditional sense, Farbog Boneflinger can be a pivotal piece in any deck that leverages graveyard strategies. By possibly sending high-value targets to the graveyard, it can set the stage for reanimation or other graveyard synergies, indirectly accelerating your resources over time.
Instant Speed: Despite being a creature, the usability of Farbog Boneflinger in response to the state of the game adds a layer of flexibility. Using it at the right moment when an opponent least expects to lose a creature can be as pivotal as an instant speed interaction, providing strategic advantage often seen with instant speed spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Farbog Boneflinger requires you to sacrifice a creature as part of its ability, which could set you back if your board presence is already weak.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both black and generic mana, potentially pigeonholing it into mono-black or two-color decks that can consistently provide the necessary mana types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of five, it can be somewhat slow to get into play, leaving you open to faster strategies or granting opponents time to prepare a counter.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Farbog Boneflinger isn’t just a creature; it’s a removal on a stick. This makes it a versatile addition to decks that thrive on controlling the board, especially in Limited formats or Commander games where targeted removal is key.
Combo Potential: In decks that leverage graveyard mechanics, Farbog Boneflinger can be a recurring threat. When paired with cards that allow you to return creatures from the graveyard to your hand or the battlefield, it can repeatedly remove opposing creatures.
Meta-Relevance: With constantly evolving decks, having access to flexible creature removal can be crucial. Farbog Boneflinger can adapt to a variety of metas, providing value in creature-heavy environments by acting as both a creature and a way to keep opponents’ threats in check.
How to beat
Farbog Boneflinger presents a notable challenge to players in Magic the Gathering due to its ability to weaken creatures upon entering the battlefield. This ability, akin to removal spells, can disrupt your board presence. A solid strategy to counteract Farbog Boneflinger is to prioritize creature removal or counter spells that can prevent it from ever entering play. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Counterspell can effectively neutralize this threat before it has the chance to impact your board state.
An alternative approach would involve utilizing creatures with hexproof or indestructible abilities, as Farbog Boneflinger’s effect targets a specific creature you control. By crafting a deck that’s resilient against targeted abilities, you safeguard your creatures from its weakening touch. Understanding the timing of the card and effectively managing your resources, you can ensure your creatures are out of reach from its potentially game-altering ability.
Lastly, having a robust sideboard plan is key when facing decks that may include Farbog Boneflinger. Including versatile answers in your sideboard will give you flexibility during games, allowing you to adapt and counter your opponent’s strategies effectively.
Cards like Farbog Boneflinger
The Farbog Boneflinger marks its territory within the realm of creature-based removal options in Magic the Gathering. Fans of zombie strategies will observe its resemblance to other creatures like Geth’s Verdict, which also offers a removal aspect, but through an instant spell without providing a body on the battlefield. Farbog Boneflinger excels with its presence, offering both a removal effect and a creature that can impact the state of the game.
In a further comparison, Shriekmaw enters the discussion as an evoke creature that also serves a similar purpose. While Shriekmaw can be used just for its removal ability at a lower evoke cost, the Farbog Boneflinger stands tall ready to fight another day after its removal effect is used, providing ongoing board presence and pressure. Skinrender shares the spotlight for targeting specific creatures, though it places -3/-3 counters instead of outright destroying the targeted creature, allowing for more nuanced control and potential combo plays.
Evaluating these choices, the Farbog Boneflinger situates itself well among MTG’s creature removal cards, especially for those looking to craft strategies that value ongoing creature presence after enacting targeted removal.
Cards similar to Farbog Boneflinger by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Farbog Boneflinger MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Farbog Boneflinger and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Farbog Boneflinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2016-08-26. Illustrated by Tomasz Jedruszek.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 61 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 2 | 2016-08-26 | Conspiracy: Take the Crown | CN2 | 134 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Farbog Boneflinger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Farbog Boneflinger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-22 | Farbog Boneflinger’s ability is mandatory. If it’s the only creature on the battlefield, you must choose it as the target and give it -2/-2 until end of turn. |
