Marauding Boneslasher MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 70
2019-11-07 - Number 705
2020-08-13 - Number 115
2022-12-02 - Number 440
2020-09-26 - Number HOU-70
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Minotaur |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Zombie synergy and graveyard strategies can indirectly provide card advantage with Marauding Boneslasher.
- Despite specific mana needs, its zombie army bolstering effect can be a resource accelerator in tribal decks.
- Although its defensive capabilities are limited, Marauding Boneslasher shines in offense-oriented zombie decks.
Text of card
Marauding Boneslasher can't block unless you control another Zombie.
With the Hekma destroyed, the wandering dead that sought entrance to Naktamun had free rein to lay waste to the city.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Marauding Boneslasher doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its zombie synergy allows seamless integration into decks that focus on graveyard strategies. This can lead to indirect card advantage through recurring creature from your graveyard to the battlefield or other synergistic effects.
Resource Acceleration: Marauding Boneslasher is a cost-effective zombie card that comes in at three mana. Although it doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, its presence can bolster your zombie army and indirectly accelerate your resources by increasing your board presence and enabling attacks that can result in various beneficial effects from other zombie tribal mechanics.
Instant Speed: It’s important to note that as a creature, Marauding Boneslasher doesn’t operate at instant speed. However, it can be used in conjunction with cards that flash creatures onto the battlefield, providing potential surprise blocks or advantages during your opponent’s turn if your strategy allows for such interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Marauding Boneslasher doesn’t bring this limitation, but as a reminder, cards that demand discarding as an additional cost can be detrimental to your hand, especially when your playable options are already scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: This zombie demands a precise mana setup with two black symbols in its cost, which may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks or those with a less stable mana base. It’s essential to consider your deck’s mana flexibility when integrating creatures with specific color requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With three mana for a 3/3, Marauding Boneslasher may come off as an average deal. Yet, its inability to block unless you control another Zombie might make you rethink its place in your deck, especially when there are other three-cost creatures with fewer restrictions and potential additional benefits.
Reasons to Include Marauding Boneslasher in Your Collection
Versatility: Despite its limitation of not being able to block unless you have another Zombie, Marauding Boneslasher fits comfortably in many Zombie-themed decks. Its aggressive stats make it a valuable attacker in tribal builds.
Combo Potential: As a Zombie, Marauding Boneslasher works well with cards that benefit from or trigger upon the casting of Zombie creatures. Its synergy with graveyard mechanics and reanimation spells can lead to powerful turns and overwhelming board presence.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where Zombie decks are popular or when Zombie support cards are plentiful in a particular format, Marauding Boneslasher can be a cost-effective creature choice for players seeking to enhance their undead legion without breaking the bank.
How to beat
Marauding Boneslasher can be intimidating on the battlefield especially in a zombie deck where its power is maximized. This black creature casts a shadow due to its inability to block unless you’ve got another zombie on the field. Facing such dedicated aggression, it’s important to remember that its strength lies in offense, leaving it less effective in defense.
Control strategies can shine against Marauding Boneslasher. Sweeper spells that clear the board are particularly effective, offering a solution to the no-block drawback of the card. Fiery Cannonade or Ritual of Soot can be game-changers here. Direct removal spells like Cast Down or Doom Blade also bypass the need to worry about this aggressive zombie. Moreover, creatures with deathtouch can deter attacks and cards that can exile Marauding Boneslasher, like Path to Exile, provide a one-way ticket out of the game.
Ultimately, staying flexible and patient in your strategy while utilizing control cards effectively can defuse the threat of Marauding Boneslasher. Timing is crucial, and though this creature is formidable in size, it’s the nimble tactics that often decide the victor. By understanding its offensive design, you can tailor your countermeasures to ensure victory on the plane.
Cards like Marauding Boneslasher
Marauding Boneslasher may not seem like a standout in MTG’s vast library of zombies, but it’s an interesting option to consider. It falls into a larger family of black creature cards such as the Diabolic Edict, which offers a notable sacrifice mechanic. Unlike Marauding Boneslasher, the Diabolic Edict affects the battlefield by forcing opponents to make difficult decisions.
In the realm of zombies, Gavony Unhallowed is another card that shares some similarities, growing stronger whenever another creature you control dies. While Marauding Boneslasher doesn’t boast this self-strengthening ability, its cant-block constraint unless you control another zombie makes it a specialized card in a zombie-focused deck. There’s also the Diregraf Colossus, a robust creature that grows in power with each zombie in your graveyard, and it hints at the synergy potential that Marauding Boneslasher could unlock in a dedicated zombie deck.
Ultimately, Marauding Boneslasher holds its ground in synergy-driven decks centered around zombie tribes. Its unique limitation can be a drawback in some situations, but in the right zombie-laden environment, this card can be an aggressive asset on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Marauding Boneslasher by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Marauding Boneslasher MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Mystery Booster, 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 Marauding Boneslasher 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 Marauding Boneslasher Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Victor Adame Minguez.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 705 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 115 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | HOU-70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez | ||
| 5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 440 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Victor Adame Minguez |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Marauding Boneslasher 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 Marauding Boneslasher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | The other Zombie doesn’t have to block. |
| 2017-07-14 | Whether you control another Zombie is checked only as you declare blockers. Marauding Boneslasher won’t stop blocking if you don’t control one later. |
