Boris Devilboon MTG Card

Legends (LEG)
1994-06-01 - Number 223

Boris Devilboon - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Masters Edition III (ME3)
2009-09-07 - Number 146

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Zombie Wizard
Power	2
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Boris Devilboon excels at building a dominant board presence through continuous Demon token generation.
It offers exceptional synergy with decks utilizing summoning and sacrificial strategies for powerful combos.
Despite its high cost and demanding color requirements, its unique benefits enhance diverse deck builds.

Text of card

o Bo Roc T: Put a minor demon token into play. Treat this token as a 1/1 red and black creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Boris Devilboon provides a unique form of card advantage by creating 1/1 black and red Demon creature tokens. Each of these tokens can be a threat on its own, effectively multiplying the value you get from playing Boris Devilboon. This can lead to an overwhelming board presence if left unchecked.

Resource Acceleration: By enabling you to put creatures on the battlefield, Boris Devilboon can accelerate your resource development. Rather than paying the mana cost for numerous individual demons, you invest in Boris and reap continued dividends with each activation of its ability.

Instant Speed: While Boris Devilboon itself may not operate at instant speed, the tokens it creates can be used defensively or offensively in surprise tactics during later turns. This can create instant speed interactions with other cards in your deck that benefit from the sudden appearance of Demon tokens on the field.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Boris Devilboon asks for a steep price when using its ability. Players must sacrifice another creature, which can set back your board presence and overall strategy. This trade-off might not always align with your game plan, especially if your deck thrives on maintaining a strong creature base.

Specific Mana Cost: Crafting your mana base to accommodate Boris Devilboon’s specific color requirements—both black and red—could be cumbersome. It narrows down the range of decks it can comfortably fit into. For a deck focused on a single color or a different combination, fitting in Boris could be more of a hindrance than a benefit.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its allure in creating tokens, the card comes at a relatively high casting cost. Weighing in at five mana—three of which are generic, one black, and one red—its activation cost also asks for two different kinds of mana each. There are alternative creature cards in MTG that provide similar or better effects at a lesser cost, which could make them more appealing choices for efficient deck building.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Boris Devilboon offers a unique flexibility in commander decks fond of demons and tokens. It easily slots into a range of strategies, providing a steady stream of tokens for sacrifice mechanics or to bolster your battlefield presence.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with engines that capitalize on creature summoning and sacrifice. The minions it creates can trigger a multitude of effects for explosive turns, feeding into powerful synergies with other cards.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where incremental advantage is key, Boris Devilboon stands out. As control decks seek to limit creature-based strategies, having a commander that continues to affect the board post-wrath can be a game-changer.

How to beat

Boris Devilboon represents a unique challenge on the battlefield, conjuring a legion of lesser demons with each activation. Understanding how to neutralize this formidable card can be essential for any player looking to maintain control of the game. The most straightforward strategy involves keeping your removal spells at the ready. Cards that can target and destroy creatures or planeswalkers will dismantle Boris Devilboon’s ability to populate the board with his minions.

Another effective tactic is to apply continuous pressure, forcing your opponent to use resources defensively rather than investing in Boris Devilboon’s costly ability. Counterspells also play a pivotal role, as they can interrupt Boris Devilboon’s entry onto the field or negate key spells that could turn the tide in favor of your opponent. Resource denial, either through land destruction or hand disruption, limits the chances of Boris Devilboon making an appearance or becoming active in the first place.

Lastly, staying ahead in the game by building a swift and overwhelming board presence will leave little room for your opponent to leverage Boris Devilboon’s strengths. Manage these strategies effectively, and you will be well-prepared to send Boris Devilboon back to the dark corners from whence he came.

Cards like Boris Devilboon

Boris Devilboon makes for an intriguing presence in the realm of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, reminding many of the varied functionalities found among creature-based card options. This demon-born character with a twist of summoning resonates closely with Rite of Belzenlok, which similarly brings forth throngs of smaller creatures to the battlefield. Boris Devilboon sets itself apart with its unique ability to create Minion tokens, a rare attribute that distinguishes it from other token generators.

Delving into similar strategies, we can compare it to Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder, which excels at producing numerous Thrull tokens albeit at a more cost-efficient rate. However, Boris Devilboon leverages its flexibility by not depending on casting other creature spells to manifest its tokens. A third facet of this comparison leads us to Field of the Dead, a land card offering a different approach to token generation. Field of the Dead might not be as direct in its effect, yet its capacity to seamlessly integrate into the landbase and consistently produce tokens grants it a substantial strategic edge.

Ultimately, while Boris Devilboon offers a unique mechanic, when considering its ability to create Minion tokens compared to wider token strategies, its niche positioning provides a flavorful yet situationally beneficial choice for players looking to exploit token synergies within their MTG decks.

Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Boris Devilboon MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Boris Devilboon and other MTG cards: