Mirkwood Bats MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 4 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Creature — Bat |
Abilities | Flying |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever you create or sacrifice a token, each opponent loses 1 life.
"The enemy has many spies and many ways of hearing." —Gandalf
Cards like Mirkwood Bats
Mirkwood Bats is an intriguing creature card that finds its peers in the realm of low-cost flyers in Magic: The Gathering. When examining its counterparts, perhaps the most direct comparison can be made with Vampire Bats. Both cards offer a flying ability with a nominal power, but Mirkwood Bats distinguishes itself with a fixed stat line, bypassing the need for mana investment to increase its power temporarily like Vampire Bats.
Another card that echoes the low-cost flying theme is Thalakos Scout. While it comes with a higher mana value, Thalakos Scout boasts the “Shadow” ability, making it especially elusive. Mirkwood Bats delivers a more straightforward flying capability and maintains consistency in defensive matchups. Looking at Faerie Miscreant, it also offers flying for a low cost, with an added potential card draw if another one is on the battlefield. Where Mirkwood Bats stands out, however, is in its better resilience against removal due to a slightly higher toughness.
Determining the best choice among these cards involves balancing the importance of evasiveness against utility and battlefield staying power. Mirkwood Bats may not have the bells and whistles of some similar cards, but it’s a reliable low-cost flying creature that can steadily pressure opponents and block other flyers effectively.
Cards similar to Mirkwood Bats by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Mirkwood Bats. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jund Sacrifice | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mirkwood Bats provides strategic value by allowing you to maintain board presence. Every time you play this card, it brings immediate impact on the battlefield, contributing to your overall card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Mirkwood Bats itself does not directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost can lead to an efficient use of mana, thus indirectly contributing to your resource acceleration by saving mana for other crucial spells.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Mirkwood Bats is enhanced by its ability to be cast at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to react promptly to your opponent’s actions, while keeping mana open for responses until the last possible moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Mirkwood Bats potentially require you to discard another card to unleash its full potential. This can deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of the card requires a commitment to black mana, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck archetypes, especially those multicolored ones aiming for mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its abilities, Mirkwood Bats comes with a mana cost that, for some players, might feel steep for the advantage it provides. Other creatures or spells at a similar cost bracket could offer greater impact on the board state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mirkwood Bats can be a key player in a variety of deck types. Its flying ability makes it a useful card for evasion, especially in formats where reaching over ground defenses is crucial.
Combo Potential: As a creature with a low casting cost, Mirkwood Bats works well with synergistic cards that care about the number of creatures you control or those that have abilities related to bats and flying creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment heavy with decks that rely on non-flying creatures for defense, Mirkwood Bats can consistently deal damage and pressure opponents, making it a relevant choice against certain popular strategies.
How to beat
Mirkwood Bats can be a pesky card to handle for many players in Magic: The Gathering. Its flying ability lets it soar over ground-based defenses, posing a threat to those without proper counters. To effectively deal with these creatures, it’s fundamental to incorporate flyers or reach-enabled units in your deck. Cards with flying like Serra Angel can block and potentially eliminate Mirkwood Bats without taking damage due to their superior power and toughness.
Another strategy is to utilize instant spells that can target and destroy flying creatures. Plummet is a classic example, specifically designed to bring down creatures with wings at a very low cost. Alternatively, board-clearing spells like Hurricane can take out Mirkwood Bats while also dealing damage to the opponent and their other flying creatures.
It’s also beneficial to control the bat swarm before it grows out of hand. Since Mirkwood Bats have a relatively low toughness, sweepers that deal minimal damage, such as Electrickery, can be a cost-effective answer to clear multiple bats at once. Keeping these strategies in mind will help ensure that Mirkwood Bats don’t dominate the skies and the game.
BurnMana Recommendations
Becoming adept with cards like Mirkwood Bats can offer a real edge in your MTG play. Its ability to fly over defenses and compete at instant speed makes it an asset in specific strategic scenarios. Analyzing its pros and cons, the card aids in maintaining a board presence and executing timely reactions to your opponents’ moves. However, its true potential shines when integrated into synergistic decks that maximize its advantages. In a game where every card choice can tip the scales, Mirkwood Bats demands consideration. Dive deeper into deck-building strategies and card analysis to turn the tides in your favor with every match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mirkwood Bats MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Mirkwood Bats 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
Printings
The Mirkwood Bats Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 546 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Tedrick | |
2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 95 | 2015 | Normal | Black | John Tedrick | |
3 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 421 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Tyler Jacobson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mirkwood Bats has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |