Suspicious Bookcase MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Wall
Abilities Defender
Power 0
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances creature attacks by preventing blocks, influencing how opponents defend and attack.
  2. Unassuming artifact, it fits any deck color, broadening strategic possibilities.
  3. Though mana-intensive, its unblockable ability can be pivotal in winning games.

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) , : Target creature can't be blocked this turn.

All the books were dusty with disuse, save the one titled *Camouflage and Its Practical Applications*.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While it doesn’t directly draw cards, Suspicious Bookcase allows you to effectively bypass creatures that could hinder your card advantage by ensuring your most potent threats can connect with the opponent unblocked.

Resource Acceleration: Suspicious Bookcase doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in terms of mana, but it accelerates your board presence by allowing a swift and unobstructed attack strategy, potentially overwhelming opponents sooner.

Instant Speed: Suspicious Bookcase’s ability doesn’t operate at instant speed, yet it provides an intrinsic strategic advantage by enabling surprise shifts in board dynamics. Opponents must account for the potential sudden unblockability of any creature, which can influence their plays at any moment during a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Suspicious Bookcase requires no discards to activate its ability, it’s important to recognize the potential downside of cards that do, as they can deplete your hand, leaving fewer options for future plays.

Specific Mana Cost: Suspicious Bookcase’s uncolored mana cost allows it to fit into any deck, but it’s always prudent to be aware of mana costs that are color-specific, which could limit deck versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a two-mana cost to cast and a three-mana activation cost, the total investment to get Suspicious Bookcase’s ability going is considerable, especially when there are other cards that could provide instant benefits or greater impact on the board state for the same or less mana.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Suspicious Bookcase provides a unique utility that complements a variety of strategies. The ability to turn any creature into an unblockable threat works well in decks that focus on dealing damage through creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or those equipped with game-winning enchantments or artifacts.

Combo Potential: This unassuming defender can be an essential piece in combos that capitalize on getting key creatures through for direct damage. It pairs exceedingly well with cards that have abilities triggered by dealing combat damage to a player, magnifying their effects each turn without drawing much attention.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment filled with creatures and direct confrontations, Suspicious Bookcase steps up as an effective tool. It aids in circumventing the combat phase’s usual barriers, giving players the upper hand especially in match-ups where the battlefield is densely populated with blockers, tipping the scales subtly but significantly.


How to beat

Suspicious Bookcase is a unique defensive card that can be found in many MTG decks. Its ability to turn any creature into an unstoppable attacker by making them unblockable can shift the tide of a match. However, there are strategies to counter this deceptively simple artifact creature.

One efficient method to handle the Suspicious Bookcase is by using removal spells that target artifacts or creatures. Cards like Abrade or Naturalize can dispose of the Bookcase before its ability becomes a problem. Managing your removal resources is key; you’ll want to have an answer ready when this wall hits the board. Another tactic is to apply pressure with aggressive creatures, forcing your opponent to use their Suspcious Bookcase defensively, which limits its effectiveness. Lastly, using counter spells to prevent the Bookcase from entering play in the first place can save you from dealing with its ability later on.

Remember that a well-timed removal or counter can neutralize the Suspicious Bookcase, thereby preserving your defenses and maintaining control of the battlefield. By carefully planning your approach and having appropriate countermeasures in your deck, you can ensure the Bookcase’s abilities never fully unfold.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you delve into MTG tactics, the Suspicious Bookcase emerges as an intriguing card with strategic benefits. It’s not just about the stats but the unique abilities that can tip a game in your favor. If you enjoy crafting decks with a surprise element, this card adds a layer of unpredictability in combat. Want to sneak past blockers or secure a win with a single, unblockable threat? We encourage you to look further into how Suspicious Bookcase can unlock new potential in your arsenal. Discover more about optimizing your deck with cards like this for a commanding presence in the game.


Cards like Suspicious Bookcase

In the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, the Suspicious Bookcase is an interesting defensive artifact creature that features the ability to make a creature unblockable. This puts it in league with the likes of Rogue’s Passage, a land card known for a similar effect. Rogue’s Passage can also render a creature unable to be blocked, but it does so at the cost of mana without requiring a tap. In contrast, the Suspicious Bookcase requires both a tap and mana, yet it represents a creature that can serve as an early blocker itself.

Another card that shares some synergy is the Whispersilk Cloak, an equipment that not only grants unblockability but also shrouds the equipped creature, protecting it from targeted spells and abilities. However, the Cloak requires mana to equip, so there’s an additional cost involved compared to the immediate effect of the Bookcase.

When evaluating utility and roles within various strategies, Suspicious Bookcase offers a unique function. Its ability to block early aggression and later turn key creatures unblockable can be critically game-changing, especially in decks that capitalize on striking with a singular, powerful threat.

Rogue's Passage - MTG Card versions
Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Rogue's Passage - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Whispersilk Cloak - Darksteel (DST)

Cards similar to Suspicious Bookcase by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
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Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Wurm's Tooth - MTG Card versions
Liquimetal Coating - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Winter Orb - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Amulet of Kroog - Rinascimento (RIN)
Nacre Talisman - Ice Age (ICE)
Howling Mine - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Essence Bottle - Tempest (TMP)
Emerald Medallion - Commander Anthology (CMA)
Scrying Glass - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Cursed Totem - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Tsabo's Web - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Millikin - Odyssey (ODY)
Ark of Blight - Scourge (SCG)
Surestrike Trident - Darksteel (DST)
Energy Chamber - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Water Gun Balloon Game - Unhinged (UNH)
Angel's Feather - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Demon's Horn - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Steel Overseer - Magic 2011 (M11)
Wurm's Tooth - Magic 2011 (M11)
Liquimetal Coating - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Suspicious Bookcase MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2019 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 Suspicious Bookcase and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Suspicious Bookcase Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2018-07-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 2462015normalblackAnastasia Ovchinnikova
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 16372015normalblackAnastasia Ovchinnikova
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 4872015normalblackAnastasia Ovchinnikova
42020-09-26The ListPLST M19-2462015normalblackAnastasia Ovchinnikova
52022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 2452015normalblackJosu Hernaiz
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9772015normalblackJosu Hernaiz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Suspicious Bookcase has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-07-13 Activating Suspicious Bookcase's ability after a creature has become blocked won't cause that creature to become unblocked.

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