Bloodbriar MTG Card
2016-07-22 - Number 151
2020-08-07 - Number 154
2023-03-21 - Number 186
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Plant Elemental |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Bloodbriar grows from sacrificing permanents, becoming a major threat in suitable MTG strategies.
- Despite the growth potential, careful management is required to avoid depleting valuable resources.
- Versatility and meta relevance make Bloodbriar a worthy addition to specific MTG decks.
Text of card
Whenever you sacrifice another permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on Bloodbriar.
"There is a sourness here that I don't understand. When the land reaches out to me, I hesitate to reach back." —Nissa Revane
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bloodbriar presents a unique opportunity for card advantage, particularly in decks that focus on sacrificing other permanents. Each time a permanent you control is sent to the graveyard, Bloodbriar receives a +1/+1 counter. This can lead to significant growth over the course of a game, turning a humble 2/3 creature into a formidable threat without the need to invest additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Bloodbriar itself does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, its synergistic nature allows you to capitalize on this aspect in conjunction with other cards. For example, cards that sacrifice permanents for mana can both power up Bloodbriar and simultaneously ramp your resources, giving you a dual benefit. This aspect is especially beneficial in decks that utilize graveyard interactions or recurring mechanisms.
Instant Speed: Although Bloodbriar operates at sorcery speed, its ability to grow from instant speed interactions is noteworthy. Sacrificing clues, treasures, and other permanents in response to an opponent’s actions can unexpectedly bolster Bloodbriar’s power, turning it into a surprise blocker or an overwhelming attacker during your next turn. This responsiveness adds a layer of tactical depth to gameplay, rewarding foresight and strategic sacrifice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Bloodbriar can grow stronger when other permanents are sacrificed, this mechanic often necessitates that you discard other valuable cards from your hand or field to trigger its ability. This can lead to a weaker overall board presence if not managed carefully and strategically.
Specific Mana Cost: Bloodbriar requires both green mana and generic mana to cast. This specific mana cost can limit deck-building options as it must be included in decks that can reliably produce green mana, potentially excluding it from more versatile, color-fluid strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a two-power creature, Bloodbriar sits at two mana—one green and one generic. While not exorbitantly high, in some cases, players might opt for other two-drops that provide immediate value or have more impactful abilities without the need for an additional setup.
Reasons to Include Bloodbriar in Your Collection
Versatility: Bloodbriar is a flexible addition that thrives in decks built around sacrificing elements. Whether it’s Clue tokens, creatures, or lands, this card grows stronger with each sacrifice made, fitting into various strategies seamlessly.
Combo Potential: With the ability to bulk up quickly, Bloodbriar pairs well with numerous sacrifice synergies. It works particularly well in decks that utilize Evolving Wilds or Terramorphic Expanse, turning land sacrifices into power boosts.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts towards graveyard recursion or sacrifice mechanics, Bloodbriar becomes increasingly impactful. It can catch opponents off guard by becoming a sizeable threat that must be addressed in-game, often demanding immediate answers.
How to beat
Bloodbriar in MTG is a creature that thrives on the mechanic of permanents leaving the battlefield. To effectively counter this card, players should minimize interactions that result in sacrificing permanents, as this will limit Bloodbriar’s growth. Utilizing spot removal spells can be a strategic move to eliminate Bloodbriar before it becomes too large to handle. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile are efficient ways to deal with it once it starts to eat away at your board state.
Another tactic is to go around Bloodbriar, using evasive creatures or direct damage spells to target the opponent directly. Cards with flying, trample, or those that can deal damage regardless of creature size, such as Lightning Bolt, can bypass the need to fight Bloodbriar on its own terms. Furthermore, implementing graveyard disruption can limit the capabilities of any strategies focused on recurring the sacrificing synergies that empower Bloodbriar.
Stopping a Bloodbriar once it has grown can be challenging, therefore preempting its growth or avoiding strategies that play into its strengths is key. Control the flow of sacrifices, and you control the strength of Bloodbriar in any MTG game.
Cards like Bloodbriar
Bloodbriar boasts an interesting dynamic in the Magic: The Gathering realm of creatures that grow stronger as you interact with various game elements. Similar to Bloodbriar, Scavenging Ooze operates on the principle of thriving upon certain actions within the game; it gains counters by exiling cards from graveyards. However, unlike Bloodbriar, whose strength comes from sacrificing other permanents, Scavenging Ooze is more focused on graveyard manipulation.
Another card to consider in comparison is Tukatongue Thallid, which also benefits from a sacrifice mechanic but creates creature tokens in the process. Though not providing the direct power boost to itself like Bloodbriar, it diverges by offering a wider benefit to the player’s board presence. Similarly, Ivy Lane Denizen appeals to players who enjoy manipulating +1/+1 counters. This card rewards you for relying on creature synergy, especially with a focus on creatures that share a color, specifically green creatures.
When examining the potential for growth and synergy in game-play strategies, Bloodbriar adds value through its versatility and the ability to become a larger threat with each sacrifice – an appealing aspect for decks that capitalize on such interactions.
Cards similar to Bloodbriar by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bloodbriar MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Double Masters, 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 Bloodbriar 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 Bloodbriar Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-07-22 | Eldritch Moon | EMN | 151 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 2 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 154 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek | |
| 3 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 186 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Loïc Canavaggia |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bloodbriar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bloodbriar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-07 | A legendary permanent that is put into a graveyard because of the “legend rule” isn't sacrificed. |
| 2020-08-07 | Bloodbriar's ability is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn't allow you to sacrifice a permanent whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of sacrificing permanents. |
| 2020-08-07 | If you sacrifice a permanent as part of casting a spell or activating an ability, Bloodbriar's ability will resolve before that spell or ability. |
