Bog Wraith MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 29 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Wraith
Abilities Swampwalk
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Bog Wraith can indirectly create card advantage due to its battlefield resilience.
  2. Swampwalk gives Bog Wraith a strategic edge in black mana-heavy metagames.
  3. Modern gameplay offers creatures that outclass Bog Wraith in cost-efficiency.

Text of card

Swampwalk

'Twas in the bogs of Cannelbrae My mate did meet an early grave 'Twas nothing left for us to save In the peat-filled bogs of Cannelbrae.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Bog Wraith itself does not directly offer card advantage, its resilience on the battlefield can lead to indirect card advantage. Opponents may need to use multiple resources to deal with this persistent threat, effectively netting you an advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Bog Wraith’s consistency within swamp-dominated decks helps maintain a solid board presence. This can quickly catapult your resource acceleration as swamps become more than just mana sources, but also a way to sustain and protect your threats on the board.

Instant Speed: Although Bog Wraith is a creature and not an instant, its ability to be swiftly impactful due to the combination of its swampwalk ability and being a sizable creature means you can apply pressure at a pace that is challenging for opponents to match, much like the suddenness of an instant speed play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Bog Wraith, while not having an explicit discard requirement, can indirectly cause card disadvantage. In a deck without sufficient graveyard synergy, a removed Bog Wraith can represent a lost card without additional benefit.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a specific mana investment in black. Decks that don’t run heavily on black mana sources might find it challenging to accommodate the Bog Wraith reliably.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, which includes three black mana symbols, the Bog Wraith’s stats may not justify its expense. Modern gameplay features creatures with similar or lower mana costs but with more impactful abilities or stats.


Reasons to Include Bog Wraith in Your Collection

Versatility: Bog Wraith stands out with its straightforward swampwalk ability, allowing it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a swamp. This makes it a solid choice for black decks that focus on land control and can bypass many common defensive setups.

Combo Potential: In decks that manipulate lands or change the battlefield’s land type, Bog Wraith’s swampwalk can become a persistent threat. Combine it with cards that turn your opponent’s lands into swamps to ensure it can consistently attack.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that includes decks relying on swamps or black mana-based decks, Bog Wraith becomes a tactical asset. Its ability to evade blockers can apply pressure on opponents who might not be prepared to deal with an unblockable creature.


How to beat

The Bog Wraith is an embodiment of resilience on the murky battlefields of Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to be unblockable as long as there are swamps on the battlefield, the Bog Wraith can pose a significant challenge to unprepared opponents. With its solid stature and its intrinsic connection to the wetlands, players must be strategic in their approach to overcome this creature.

To effectively negate the Bog Wraith’s advantages, consider altering the landscape of the battlefield. Land destruction spells or those that transform lands, such as Blood Moon, can render swamps useless, stripping the Bog Wraith of its unblockable nature. Moreover, removal spells that aren’t dependent on blocking, such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile, can exile the creature outright regardless of the terrain. Ensnaring it in enchantments that prevent it from attacking or blocking is another cunning tactic. Utilizing these strategies can help players navigate around the Bog Wraith’s strengths and reclaim control of the game.

Understanding the terrain and having a plan to adapt or remove threats is essential in MTG. By foreseeing the potential of a swamp-laden board and being equipped with the right spells, players can ensure the Bog Wraith’s presence is but a fleeting shadow on their path to victory.


Cards like Bog Wraith

Bog Wraith stands as a classic creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in terms of functionality include the likes of Will-o’-the-Wisp and Phantom Monster. What sets Bog Wraith apart is its distinctive swampwalk ability, allowing unhindered attacks if an opponent controls a swamp. This is a sharp contrast to Will-o’-the-Wisp, which offers flying and regeneration at a lower cost but lacks the offensive push through swampwalk.

Moving to the Phantom Monster, we see a creature with flying, offering a more consistent form of evasion. However, it doesn’t have the specialized edge of the swampwalk capability that Bog Wraith provides, making Bog Wraith particularly useful in metagames with abundant black decks featuring swamps. Additionally, as a larger creature, the Bog Wraith can be more imposing on the battlefield compared to Will-o’-the-Wisp.

In the context of Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of cards, Bog Wraith holds its place due to its specific ability to exploit landscapes dominated by swamps. Its niche might narrow its use in universal decks, but it remains a menacing threat in the right environment.

Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Phantom Monster - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)

Cards similar to Bog Wraith by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
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Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
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Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - Chronicles (CHR)
Rag Man - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phyrexian Debaser - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Slinking Skirge - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Gravedigger - The List (PLST)
Scandalmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Urborg Shambler - Invasion (INV)
Whispering Shade - Odyssey (ODY)
Cabal Surgeon - Torment (TOR)
Filth - Judgment (JUD)
Demon of Catastrophes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Bold Plagiarist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Dirge Bat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Gixian Puppeteer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Toxin Sliver - Legions (LGN)
Vampiric Spirit - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nim Shambler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Bad Ass - Unhinged (UNH)
Scourge of Numai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bog Wraith MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Bog Wraith and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bog Wraith Magic the Gathering card was released in 23 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 951993normalblackJeff A. Menges
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 961993normalblackJeff A. Menges
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 961993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 961993normalblackJeff A. Menges
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 961993normalblackJeff A. Menges
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 961993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 961993normalblackJeff A. Menges
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 961993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 1241993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 1241993normalblackJeff A. Menges
111996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 161993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
121996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 171993normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
131997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 1471997normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
141997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 147s1997normalwhiteTed Naifeh
151997-05-01PortalPOR 831997normalblackTed Naifeh
161999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 1181997normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
171999-07-01Starter 1999S99 671997normalwhiteJeff A. Menges
182001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 1231997normalwhiteDave Dorman
192001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 123★1997normalblackDave Dorman
202003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 1202003normalwhiteDave Dorman
212003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 120★2003normalblackDave Dorman
222005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 117★2003normalblackTed Naifeh
232005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 1172003normalwhiteTed Naifeh
242007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 1302003normalblackDaarken
252007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 130★2003normalblackDaarken
262009-07-17Magic 2010M10 862003normalblackDaarken
272020-09-26The ListPLST M10-862003normalblackDaarken
282022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 3921997normalblackJeff A. Menges
292022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 952015normalblackJeff A. Menges

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bog Wraith has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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