Den of the Bugbear MTG Card
2021-07-23 - Number 254
2021-07-23 - Number 254a
2021-07-23 - Number 351
2021-07-23 - Number 254s
2021-07-23 - Number 254p
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
If you control two or more other lands, Den of the Bugbear enters the battlefield tapped. : Add . : Until end of turn, Den of the Bugbear becomes a 3/2 red Goblin creature with "Whenever this creature attacks, create a 1/1 red Goblin creature token that's tapped and attacking." It's still a land.
Cards like Den of the Bugbear
Den of the Bugbear offers MTG players a multi-faceted gaming experience, not only serving as a land card but also as a creature generator. Cards that share similarities with Den of the Bugbear include Westvale Abbey, a card that likewise transforms to provide creature tokens and add a different dynamic to the battlefield. The distinction lies in the nature of the transformation, with Westvale Abbey turning into a high-powered, individual creature while Den of the Bugbear focuses on generating multiple smaller tokens.
Another card worth mentioning is Ghitu Encampment which also doubles as a creature. Despite its lower creature stats compared to Den of the Bugbear’s tokens, Ghitu Encampment stands out because of its first strike ability, potentially giving it an edge in combat scenarios. Conversely, Mishra’s Factory comes into play as yet another land that becomes a creature. However, it morphs at a lesser cost than Den of the Bugbear and without the added goblin token generation, emphasizing efficiency in mana use over creature production.
Den of the Bugbear, with its ability to create a stream of attackers and maintain mana accessibility, offers a unique advantage, balancing land utility and aggressive play strategies in MTG.
Cards similar to Den of the Bugbear by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Den of the Bugbear. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rakdos Midrange | Pioneer | Rakdos Midrange | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-05-16 |
 | Mono-Red Prison | Legacy | Mono-Red Prison | Legacy League 2024-05-16 |
 | Boros Aggro | Pioneer | Boros Aggro | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-16 |
 | Gruul Midrange | Pioneer | Gruul Midrange | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-16 |
 | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer | Gruul Aggro | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-16 |
 | Mono-Red Aggro | Pioneer | Mono-Red Aggro | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-16 |
 | Izzet Ensoul Artifact | Pioneer | Izzet Ensoul Artifact | Pioneer League 2024-05-16 |
| Rakdos Sacrifice | Pioneer | Rakdos Sacrifice | Pioneer League 2024-05-16 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Den of the Bugbear enters as a land card that can evolve into a creature, offering versatility and the potential to give you an advantage without losing a card from hand. When tapped for its activation cost, it summons a Goblin creature token onto the battlefield, effectively increasing your board presence and providing a tactical advantage.
Resource Acceleration: This card, while initially coming into play tapped, later serves as a mana resource to escalate your plays. By converting into a creature with power and toughness, it can act as both a land and a threat, offering a unique form of acceleration that goes beyond simple mana production.
Instant Speed: The ability of Den of the Bugbear to turn into a creature can be activated at instant speed before combat on your turn. This feature allows for surprise attacks and strategic depth, as opponents will have to account for an additional attacker that can appear after they’ve made decisions based on the information available during your first main phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Den of the Bugbear doesn’t have a discard requirement in its text, players may sometimes feel the pressure to discard cards for other synergies or abilities to maximize their turn rather than activating this land’s abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Activation of Den of the Bugbear requires red mana, which might not always align with the mana base in multi-colored decks, potentially limiting its flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: To transform Den of the Bugbear into a creature, four mana including at least one red mana is needed. This is a sizeable investment, especially considering that other lands can transform into creatures or provide additional benefits at a lower activation cost.
Reasons to Include Den of the Bugbear in Your Collection
Versatility: Den of the Bugbear stands out as a dual-purpose card. It functions as a land in the early game, providing mana to curve out your plays, but later, it transforms into a creature to apply pressure or defend when needed. This adaptability makes it a valuable pick for various red-based decks.
Combo Potential: Because it becomes a 3/2 Goblin creature that creates tokens when attacking, Den of the Bugbear can synergize with strategies that capitalize on creature or token generation. It can bolster tribal goblin decks or complement mechanics that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Its relevance shines in metas where creature aggression can secure wins or where games draw out, allowing for additional value from your land plays. In a format where every card matters, Den of the Bugbear provides both utility and threat, making it a consistent performer in standard and eternal formats alike.
How to beat
Den of the Bugbear serves as a formidable land card in Magic: The Gathering, bringing not only mana resources to the table but also the ability to become a creature. When activated, it morphs into a 3/2 red Goblin creature with the added ability to create 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens if you’ve attacked with creatures this turn. This duality can often catch opponents off guard and tip the scales in your favor—when the land transforms, it becomes a creature as well, which can be an overwhelming threat.
However, to keep this card from overwhelming you, it’s essential to have strategies in place. Removal spells that can target lands, such as Field of Ruin or Ghost Quarter, can dismantle the Den before it transforms. Instant speed removal is also highly effective, allowing you to respond to the activation before it declares an attack, with cards like Unsummon or Rapid Hybridization neutralizing the threat immediately. Moreover, controlling decks with counter spells can prevent pivotal spells that pave the way for Den of the Bugbear, ensuring it remains a non-issue.
In summary, while Den of the Bugbear presents a unique challenge by combining mana generation with offensive capabilities, a combination of land destruction and timely creature removal can effectively neutralize its advantages. By keeping these tactics in reserve, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the threat of this double-agent land card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Den of the Bugbear MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos, 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 Den of the Bugbear and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Den of the Bugbear Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 254 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 254a | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 351 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jeff Easley | |
| 4 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 254s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 5 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos | PAFR | 254p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Den of the Bugbear has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Den of the Bugbear card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-07-23 | If Den of the Bugbear enters the battlefield at the same time as one or more other lands, it doesn't take those lands into consideration when determining how many other lands you control. |
| 2021-07-23 | If Den of the Bugbear's last ability is activated multiple times in one turn, it will have multiple instances of the triggered ability that it grants. For example, if you activate it twice and attack, you will create two 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens that are tapped and attacking. |
| 2021-07-23 | If you turn Den of the Bugbear into a creature but haven't controlled it continuously since your most recent turn began, you won't be able to activate its mana ability or attack with it. |