Dive Bomber MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Soldier |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2002-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Onslaught |
| Set code | ONS |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 26 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Randy Gallegos |
Text of card
Flying oc T, Sacrifice Dive Bomber: Dive Bomber deals 2 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.
"Your graves will lie beneath my final nest."
Cards like Dive Bomber
When analyzing the Dive Bomber card within the vast realm of Magic: The Gathering, it shares a common space with creatures that balance flying abilities with sacrifice effects. The Dive Bomber itself is known for its tactical flexibility, offering both aerial offence and a way to impact the board upon its exit. This is quite similar to the likes of the Leonin Skyhunter, which also boasts flying but lacks the same sacrifice ability.
Exploring comparable mechanics, we encounter the Skywing Aven. Like Dive Bomber, it features flying and can be returned to hand, though at the cost of discarding a card rather than sacrificing the creature. This distinction gives players alternate approaches to tactical retreats or board control. Another card in consideration is the Gustcloak Savior, which allows for a safe retreat of attacking creatures but misses the direct damage potential upon leaving the battlefield.
Ultimately, in the echelons of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering, Dive Bomber sits as a versatile option. Its ability to contribute to both offensive and defensive strategies gives it a unique position, providing players with a guardian in the sky that can strike at crucial moments.
Cards similar to Dive Bomber by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With its ability to let players look at the top cards of their deck and potentially draw a valuable creature card, Dive Bomber ensures that your hand remains equipped with threats or answers. This action can tip the scales in your favor by ensuring you have access to the right card at the right time, enhancing your strategic options during the game.
Resource Acceleration: Dive Bomber’s ability to convert creatures on the battlefield into additional mana can exponentially increase your available resources. This allows you to cast high-cost cards earlier than normal, speeding up your gameplay and allowing you to outpace your opponent’s development.
Instant Speed: The flexible casting time of Dive Bomber permits reactive gameplay, allowing players to adapt to their opponent’s actions on the fly. This can monumentalize the surprise element, turning the tide of the match by disrupting opponent strategies at crucial moments, making it a formidable addition to any deck that prizes tactical agility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dive Bomber demands that a player relinquish a card from their hand, potentially depleting their strategic options prematurely. In fast-paced games or situations where your hand is already scarce, this can lead to unfavourable trades or loss of momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: With an exacting cost that requires both white and blue mana, Dive Bomber may not seamlessly slot into decks that are not tailored around these colors. Players running a multicolor deck might find it challenging to meet the combination, especially early in the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Demanding a combined total of four mana to cast, this card’s expense might not align with the pace of your deck or the immediate impact on the game, particularly when compared to other creatures or spells at similar mana points that could offer instantaneous or more substantial effects on the board.
Reasons to Include Dive Bomber in Your Collection
Versatility: Dive Bomber is a flexible card that can be utilized in an array of deck styles. Its ability to function as both a flying threat and a removal option means it adapts to different gameplay situations with ease.
Combo Potential: With its sacrifice ability, Dive Bomber can be an integral part of combos that benefit from creatures hitting the graveyard. This ability can be particularly effective in decks focused on death-triggered effects or recursion strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where flying creatures dominate or where there’s a need for versatile removal options, Dive Bomber proves to be a valuable asset. Its presence in your deck can ensure you maintain pace against a wide variety of opposing strategies.
How to beat
Dive Bomber is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering with its versatile nature, especially in flying-oriented decks. This card presents an extra layer of strategy with its ability to threaten opponents from above while offering a sacrifice option for a burst of damage. When facing Dive Bomber, efficient removal is key. Utilizing cards that can neutralize creatures without targeting them directly, such as board wipes or spells with reach, can turn the tide in your favor. Cards like Shock or Lightning Bolt are excellent choices for their low-cost and instant speed capabilities, allowing players to disrupt the Dive Bomber before it becomes a substantial threat.
Moreover, countering Dive Bomber before it hits the battlefield is a proactive approach. Counterspell and Essence Scatter are notable mentions in this category, as they can permanently prevent Dive Bomber’s impact on the game. In formats where Dive Bomber is present, including versatile responses in your deck composition is essential. A well-timed play can mitigate the Dive Bomber’s potential damage and maintain control of the game’s pace.
While Dive Bomber can be a versatile and threatening card, with the right strategy and countermeasures, its influence can be effectively diminished, keeping your life total safe and maintaining your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dive Bomber MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Dive Bomber 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dive Bomber has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |