Applied Biomancy MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set name	Ravnica Allegiance
Set code	RNA
Number	153
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Sidharth Chaturvedi

Key Takeaways

Applied Biomancy enables decisive plays with its instant speed and dual functionality for dynamic interactions.
Mana specificity and higher cost may restrict use, but it shines in decks tailored to Simic strategies.
Strategic versatility and meta-relevance make it a strong contender for decks revolving around creature play.

Text of card

Choose one or both — • Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. • Return target creature to its owner's hand.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Applied Biomancy shines in scenarios where board presence is crucial. It allows for strategic creature enhancement, giving players the upper hand through multifaceted tactics. This added utility can effectively turn the tide of the game in your favor without losing card economy.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing additional land or mana, the card does increase your resources by enabling your creatures to be more versatile. Whether it’s beefing up a creature for a surprise block or untapping one for additional combat or ability use, it optimizes the potential of the creatures you already have in play.

Instant Speed: Applied Biomancy’s instant speed attribute offers players adaptive responses to opponents’ moves. In the fast-paced environment of a card battle, being able to cast spells on the fly can be pivotal, affording a player the agility to shift strategies at a moment’s notice. This can give them a definitive edge over those restricted to sorcery speed solutions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Applied Biomancy requires you to have both blue and green mana available. If you’re running a multicolored deck, this can limit the card’s immediacy, especially if your mana base is not well-tuned or you’re experiencing color shortage mid-game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates an exact mix of blue and green mana, which may not always be readily available. Players with decks that are not strictly Simic (a combination of green and blue) might find this mana restriction hindering their game flow as they cannot cast it with any other type of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its effects, some players might deem Applied Biomancy’s mana cost on the higher side. In the current meta where efficiency is key, there are alternative spells that perform similar or better functions for a lower mana investment, potentially making this card a less attractive option for competitive play.

Reasons to Include Applied Biomancy in Your Collection

Versatility: Applied Biomancy offers flexibility in gameplay, being an instant that can be slotted into numerous deck builds. It provides both a temporary stat boost and the ability to return an opposing creature to its owner’s hand, a dual function that can shift the board state at crucial moments.

Combo Potential: With its ability to manipulate the strength of creatures and disrupt opponent’s plans, Applied Biomancy fits well into decks that capitalize on surprise and synergy. The boost in power and toughness could be the difference for creature-based combos and can serve as an enabler for winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature interactions dominate, Applied Biomancy can be a game-changer. It helps maintain or alter the pace of the game, addressing threats immediately and opening up opportunities for aggressive tactics or defensive strategies depending on your deck’s needs.

How to Beat Applied Biomancy

Applied Biomancy brings a unique edge to creature flexibility and surprise plays in Magic: The Gathering. This Simic instant allows players to bolster their creature on the fly and potentially disrupt an opponent’s board by bouncing an unwelcome guest. When facing such versatility, an effective strategy is to limit the targets available for the spell’s effects. Controlling the board and maintaining creature superiority can sway the odds in your favor.

Counterspells serve as a direct answer, negating Applied Biomancy before it can influence the battlefield. Cards like Negate target non-creature spells, making them a perfect shield against this trickery. Removal spells can preemptively thin the opponent’s creatures, reducing the impact of a potential Applied Biomancy. Additionally, employing creatures with hexproof or shroud provides a safeguard against unwanted targeting, thus rendering Applied Biomancy less effective.

Ultimately, recognizing the pivotal moments to disrupt the synergy created by Applied Biomancy will tip the scales. Whether it’s through counterspells, targeted removal, or shroud and hexproof abilities, maintaining tactical awareness and board control is key to overcoming the crafty instance of creature enhancement and tempo swing offered by Applied Biomancy.

Cards like Applied Biomancy

Applied Biomancy offers MTG players a unique twist on creature interaction. Resembling the likes of Simic Charm, its ability to manipulate creatures by providing a buff +1/+1 and potential creature bounce offers tactical versatility. Unlike Applied Biomancy, Simic Charm presents three options and the buff can grant hexproof, which can be crucial for protection. However, Applied Biomancy allows for simultaneous creature enhancement and battlefield control with one card, streamlining decisions during gameplay.

Another comparable card is Unsummon, which solely focuses on returning creatures to hand, without the creature buff. While Unsummon is cheaper to cast, Applied Biomancy’s inclusion of a buff leads to more complex plays. Moreover, similar to Applied Biomancy, Select for Inspection offers the creature bounce effect, but with Scry 1—trading the buff for a peek into future draws. Select for Inspection, however, can only target tapped creatures, which restricts its usage compared to the broader application of Applied Biomancy.

Considering these various factors, Applied Biomancy stands out as a balanced and versatile option in creature-based strategies, integrating both offensive and defensive elements to elevate Simic deck strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Select for Inspection - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Applied Biomancy MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Applied Biomancy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Applied Biomancy has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal