Penumbra Bobcat MTG Card
2001-06-04 - Number 82
2010-11-08 - Number A81
2020-07-17 - Number 418
2023-01-13 - Number 172
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Penumbra Bobcat is put into a graveyard from play, put a 2/1 black Cat creature token into play.
This cat has two lives and it's hunting for more.
Cards like Penumbra Bobcat
Penumbra Bobcat holds its own within the realm of green creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares a familiar feature with Squadron Hawk, as they both provide a beneficial aftereffect upon death. While the Squadron Hawk lets you search for more hawks when it enters the battlefield, the Bobcat leaves behind a black cat token with the same strength and toughness when it dies, which can continue to press the advantage on the board.
Looking at other comparable cards, Mold Shambler and Viridian Zealot both possess secondary abilities activated upon death. However, not only does the Bobcat cost less mana, but its replacement token provides a seamless transition for maintaining board presence. The Zealot might have the edge in dealing with artifacts and enchantments, while the Shambler can impact the game more with its ability to destroy noncreature permanents. These added functionalities are essential to consider depending on your game strategy.
Ultimately, Penumbra Bobcat’s role is noteworthy for its resilience in creature-based strategies, offering tangible benefits both in life and in demise. It manages to strike a fine balance between cost and effect, making it a commendable choice for green deck enthusiasts.
Cards similar to Penumbra Bobcat by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Penumbra Bobcat may seem unassuming at first glance, but it holds tactical value through its ability to offer a second life. Upon its demise, it leaves behind a black Panther creature token, effectively providing you with an additional creature and bolstering your board presence without requiring an extra card from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While the Penumbra Bobcat in itself doesn’t directly offer resource acceleration, having creatures that replace themselves upon death can free up mana that would otherwise be spent on casting additional creatures from your hand. This subtle form of economy can give you a lead by allocating resources elsewhere to strengthen your strategy.
Instant Speed: Although the Penumbra Bobcat is a creature card and therefore cannot be played at instant speed, the intrinsic resilience it carries through its ability to bequeath a creature upon death allows you to maintain a sense of readiness. It can deter opponents from removing it hastily, granting you more control over the pace and plays within the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Penumbra Bobcat doesn’t force a discard upon casting, in certain gameplay scenarios, a player may need to prioritize resources, considering whether to keep this creature or another potentially more impactful card in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Penumbra Bobcat demands a specific mana combination to play, requiring both green and colorless mana. This could potentially restrict the card’s inclusion, especially in decks that aren’t heavily focused on green or run on a tight mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, the cost-to-effectiveness ratio of Penumbra Bobcat raises questions when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. Players may find other options that provide a greater board presence or additional abilities with a similar investment.
Reasons to Include Penumbra Bobcat in Your Collection
Versatility: Penumbra Bobcat is a flexible pick for multiple green-centric decks. As a creature with stealth and resilience, this cat can slip into combat or act as a reliable blocker, all while synergizing well with green’s emphasis on creature-based strategies.
Combo Potential: This card has an interesting interaction with cards that capitalize on creature death or token generation. When it perishes, it leaves behind a black cat creature token, which can be used to fuel various graveyard or sacrifice-based strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that’s rich with creature removal, Penumbra Bobcat offers a unique edge. Its token replacement ability ensures that you maintain a board presence even after removal spells are cast, making it a thorn in the side of removal-heavy decks that are common in the current meta.
How to beat
Penumbra Bobcat offers stealth and resilience in the MTG ecosystem, presenting a unique challenge to opponents with its ability to leave behind a token copy upon perishing. Unlike cards such as Serra Angel or Llanowar Elves, which provide powerful advantages on the battlefield or ramp but don’t have a lasting presence, the Bobcat’s death-triggered effect ensures it maintains influence even after it leaves the board.
To effectively counter this feline force, consider employing exile removal spells like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile. These bypass the Bobcat’s death-triggered ability and remove it from the game without spawning a token. In multi-colored decks, favor control elements such as bounce spells or enchantments like Pacifism to mitigate the Bobcat’s impact while preventing token generation by ensuring it doesn’t die.
Overall, clever use of removal spells and strategic control tactics are essential when facing Penumbra Bobcat. Ensuring it never hits the graveyard is key to prevent it from utilizing its tenacious afterlife ability, keeping it from clawing its way back into the game and giving you the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Penumbra Bobcat MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse and Magic Online Theme Decks, 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 Penumbra Bobcat 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 Penumbra Bobcat Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2001-06-04 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-06-04 | Apocalypse | APC | 82 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 2 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A81 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 418 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 4 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 172 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Valera Lutfullina |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Penumbra Bobcat has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |