Spined Basher MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie Beast
Abilities	Morph
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	172
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Thomas M. Baxa

Key Takeaways

Graveyard synergy boosts gameplay, leveraging discarded cards for strategic advantages with Spined Basher.
Instant speed activation of Spined Basher offers tactical flexibility and unexpected combat tricks.
Deck constraints can arise from the specific mana and discard requirement of the Spined Basher.

Text of card

Morph o B (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for o3. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)

"How cute. Does it do any other tricks?" —Braids, dementia summoner

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Spined Basher sets you up for a more powerful play by potentially putting extra creatures into your graveyard, boosting your board state or setting the stage for further graveyard strategies.

Resource Acceleration: By discarding certain cards with the Spined Basher, you can streamline your deck and access critical resources faster, fueling key synergies and mechanics within your strategy.

Instant Speed: The Spined Basher’s ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you flexibility to adapt during your opponent’s turn or right before your next draw, maximizing strategic depth and surprise factor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Spined Basher may ask you to discard another card as part of its morph cost. This can deplete your hand quickly, especially in decks that don’t have mechanisms to replenish the card supply effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature has a fixed mana cost that requires black mana. This can be constraining for multicolored decks or those that want to maintain a higher degree of mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three for a 3/1 creature, Spined Basher could be overshadowed by other creatures in the same mana range that offer additional abilities or greater power and toughness.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Spined Basher slithers smoothly into numerous deck archetypes, particularly those that capitalize on creature swarming tactics and graveyard synergies.

Combo Potential: As a creature that can be readily retrieved from the graveyard, Spined Basher pairs well with mechanics that feed off recurring creatures or sacrificing for greater effects.

Meta-Relevance: Spined Basher’s inherent flexibility makes it a solid option against an array of competitive decks, adapting well to shifts in the game environment.

How to beat Spined Basher

Spined Basher enters the battlefield with an intriguing mix of abilities. While it may not be a ubiquitous threat in the MTG landscape, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for a tactful approach. Spined Basher’s utility primarily comes from its morph ability, allowing it to turn face up at any time for its morph cost.

Overcoming a creature like Spined Basher requires a well-timed removal. Since it can be turned face up as an instant, be mindful of when your opponent has mana available. A smart move would be to apply removal when the opponent is tapped out to avoid any potential combat tricks or sudden power boosts. Cards that bypass the combat phase altogether, such as direct removal or board wipes, are particularly effective. Cards like Doom Blade or Wrath of God can address the Spined Basher without having to navigate its morphing capabilities. Additionally, spot removal spells or exile effects can efficiently neutralize the threat it may present on the board.

In essence, Spined Basher demands a strategic evaluation, as missteps in timing could lead to unfavorable combat interactions. However, with proper control of the board state and judicious use of your spells, the vulnerabilities of Spined Basher can be exploited, rendering it a manageable foe in any match.

Cards like Spined Basher

Exploring the realm of creature cards within MTG, Spined Basher emerges as an intriguing entry. It finds its kin in cards like Drudge Skeletons, both bearing the hallmark ability of regeneration which guarantees longevity in battle. Spined Basher, however, stands out with its amphibious nature, capable of surprising opponents as it plunges across both swamp and forest terrains effortlessly.

Consider also the Skeletal Vampire, another creature that boasts the powerful regeneration trait. While it commands a higher summoning cost compared to Spined Basher, the Vampire compensates with a robust presence and the ability to generate tokens, enhancing your strategic options on the field. With such diversity in abilities and cost implications, Spined Basher finds itself in a balanced position, offering adaptability and resilience at a fair mana investment.

Delving deeper into comparable choices, Veilborn Ghoul also deserves mention with its uncanny knack for revival, returning to your hand when a swamp is played. Yet it’s the elegance in Spined Basher’s simple and direct utility that carves its unique niche in MTG. Players seeking a blend of cost-effectiveness and tenacious viability in their creature cards will appreciate the steadfast nature of the Spined Basher.

Cards similar to Spined Basher by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spined Basher MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Spined Basher and other MTG cards: