Bottle Golems MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Artifact Creature — Golem
Abilities	Trample
Released	2021-06-18
Set symbol
Set name	Modern Horizons 2
Set code	MH2
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	222
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

Bottle Golems provides card advantage upon entry, and life gain when it dies, bolstering player resources and longevity.
Specific mana costs and higher casting expense can limit Bottle Golems’ inclusion in some deck strategies.
The card’s versatility and combo potential in artifact-centric decks make it a valuable addition to any collection.

Text of card

Trample When Bottle Golems dies, you gain life equal to its power.

Reinforcements *and* refreshments!

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability to draw a card when Bottle Golems enters the battlefield offers players a direct path to card advantage. This is vital for any MTG player looking to outmaneuver their opponent with a greater selection of options in hand.

Resource Acceleration: Bottle Golems also lends a hand in resource acceleration. When it dies, its effect of gaining life equal to its power can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by giving the player more time to deploy other resources without the immediate pressure of losing the game.

Instant Speed: Although Bottle Golems itself is not an instant, the discussions about it often highlight the importance of holding mana for instant-speed responses until the necessity to play Bottle Golems arises. Being conscious about mana and when to play creatures versus keeping options open is an essential strategy in MTG.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Holding a Bottle Golems card means you’re sitting on a potential resource that only pays off under certain conditions. Being required to discard it without reaping its benefits can be a painful setback, especially if you’re strapped for options.

Specific Mana Cost: Bottle Golems often demand a precise mana configuration to cast. If your deck’s mana base isn’t finely tuned to accommodate this, you could find the card stranded in your hand at crucial moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Bottle Golems don’t come cheap on the mana scale, you have to weigh the cost against other impactful plays available at a similar mana point. In competitive play, this can be a deciding factor in the card making the cut for your deck or not.

Reasons to Include Bottle Golems in Your Collection

Versatility: Bottle Golems offers flexible use in various deck builds. Its ability to act as an artifact creature means it can synergize with strategies that capitalize on either creature or artifact synergies, giving its controller a dynamic tool for multiple game situations.

Combo Potential: Due to its inherent traits as an artifact, Bottle Golems can be essential in combos that revolve around artifact manipulation. Its presence on the board can become a hinge point for powerful plays that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by aggressive strategies, the life gain aspect of Bottle Golems can be a boon. Serving as a buffer against faster decks, it has the potential to be a key player in sustaining your game plan and keeping you competitive.

How to beat

Bottle Golems is an intriguing artifact creature that players may encounter in the diverse universe of Magic: The Gathering. This durable card can bolster a player’s defenses, making it a sturdy obstacle for opposition. To counter Bottle Golems, strategy pivots to removing it from the battlefield. A straightforward method is to deploy creature removal spells which come in various forms from targeted removals like Murder to sweepers such as Wrath of God. Timing is key, so waiting until your opponent has committed Bottle Golems before clearing the board is a strategic move.

Another effective tactic is to minimize the golems’ impact by controlling the pace of the game. Counter spells that prevent the golems from hitting the field, such as Cancel or Mana Leak, can serve as preemptive measures. Utilizing bounce spells that return it to an opponent’s hand, like Unsummon, can further delay the threat, forcing your opponent to expend more resources for a replay.

In essence, mastering the art of resource and board control provides a solid foundation to dismantle the challenge that Bottle Golems presents. With the right balance of immediate answers and long-term strategies, players can neutralize the golems’ potential and maintain the upper hand in their duels.

Cards like Bottle Golems

Bottle Golems offers an intriguing dynamic to life gain strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest comparison might be the card Brindle Boar, which similarly can be sacrificed to gain life. However, Bottle Golems edges out with the additional benefit of a higher life gain amount. Compared to Brindle Boar’s modest gain of 4 life, Bottle Golems provides a significant 10 life boost, making it a pivotal card for turning the tides in your favor during a game.

Another card worth mentioning is Martyr of Sands, which also revolves around life gain, but it provides variability based on the revealed white cards in your hand. While the potential life gain could be higher, it isn’t as surefire as the guaranteed 10 from Bottle Golems. Moreover, Bottle Golems brings to the table a solid creature with a decent power and toughness, adding both a defensive and offensive presence.

Comparatively, Scuttling Doom Engine offers a similar creature type and power level, with the added bonus dealing damage to the opponent upon being sacrificed. While this appeals to a more aggressive strategy, Bottle Golems caters to those seeking a substantial and reliable life cushion, a tactic that can be essential in longer, drawn-out matches.

Scuttling Doom Engine - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bottle Golems by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bottle Golems MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2, 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 Bottle Golems and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bottle Golems has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bottle Golems card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2021-06-18	Use Bottle Golems' power when it was on the battlefield to determine the amount of life you gain. This may be different than its power in the graveyard.