Swiftfoot Boots MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 33 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Key Takeaways

  1. Swiftfoot Boots delivers instant board influence by providing haste and hexproof to creatures, upgrading your gameplay instantly.
  2. Critical for decks that rely on pivotal creatures, ensuring they can evade targeted removals and strike swiftly.
  3. Versatile and meta-relevant, this card is a valuable asset in various formats, securing a creature’s impact and longevity.

Text of card

Equipped creature has hexproof and haste. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, and it can attack and as soon as it comes under your control.) Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Swiftfoot Boots provides an edge in MTG by granting a valuable protective ability without spending additional cards. While it doesn’t draw cards directly, it helps retain the cards already in play, like significant creatures, safeguarding your board position and indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a mana accelerator, Swiftfoot Boots amplifies the effectiveness of your creatures, allowing them to bypass summoning sickness and capitalize on their abilities or attack immediately. This acceleration of resources can be crucial in gaining the upper hand over your opponent.

Instant Speed: While Swiftfoot Boots itself isn’t an Instant, its equip ability can be used at instant speed, subject to having mana available. This flexibility lets players respond to threats or strategic opportunities during any phase of the game, bolstering its tactical value in various situations.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Swiftfoot Boots doesn’t require discarding as an inherent downside, but its necessity in a game can compel a player to discard other cards to ensure it’s played at a crucial moment. This can be particularly troubling when your hand is already sparse on resources.

Specific Mana Cost: While Swiftfoot Boots demands a generic mana cost, it does have a specific activation cost that necessitates one mana of any color. In mono-colored decks, this isn’t a problem, but in more color-intensive decks, it might complicate mana allocation, especially during the early stages of the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The two-mana cost to cast Swiftfoot Boots is reasonable, but when you factor in the additional mana for its equip ability, the total investment can be significant in the early game. This is particularly true when compared to other equipment or protective spells that may provide similar effects for less mana investment, allowing for more flexible plays within a turn.


Reasons to Include Swiftfoot Boots in Your Collection

Versatility: Swiftfoot Boots shines as a multifaceted staple in decks ranging from commander to casual play. Its ability to grant both hexproof and haste to a creature means it can protect your key pieces from targeted removal as well as allow them to impact the board immediately.

Combo Potential: Within the expansive universe of deck-building, Swiftfoot Boots serves as an accelerator for combo decks. By ensuring that combo-centric creatures can dodge removal and swing into action rapidly, this equipment can be the linchpin to executing your winning strategy undisturbed.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current landscape where creature strategies are prevalent, having an efficient method to safeguard your investments on the board is crucial. Swiftfoot Boots meets this demand, making it a consistently relevant choice for emerging metas that favor creature-based tactics.


How to beat

Swiftfoot Boots is a well-known MTG card that offers any creature you control both hexproof and haste. This can be a tipping point in games, giving key creatures immediate and protected impact on the battlefield. To counteract this card, consider using board wipes that don’t target individual creatures, like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation”, to clear the board regardless of hexproof. Removal spells that make players sacrifice creatures, such as “Diabolic Edict”, can also bypass the protection Swiftfoot Boots provides. If you can target artifacts, “Naturalize” or “Shatter” can deal with the Boots directly. Furthermore, countering the Boots with a spell like “Counterspell” when it’s cast can preemptively address the threat before it even begins to affect the game. Always be ready to disrupt your opponent’s plan and remember that dealing with problematic cards like Swiftfoot Boots often requires thinking one step ahead.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re an MTG enthusiast aiming to refine your strategy and transform your deck into a formidable arsenal, considering Swiftfoot Boots is a move towards triumph. This card embodies both protection and pace, ensuring your key creatures step into the fray shielded and ready for action. Appreciating the nuances of card advantages, resourcing, and instant-speed flexibility can catapult your gameplay to new heights. As the MTG realm constantly evolves, staying ahead means adapting with choices that blend defense and swift strikes. Delve deeper and embrace this quintessential equipment; let Swiftfoot Boots guide your journey to victory.


Cards like Swiftfoot Boots

Swiftfoot Boots is an essential piece of equipment in Magic: The Gathering, offering both hexproof and haste to the creature it adorns. Its counterparts, like the coveted Lightning Greaves, share the swift equip ability and also grant shroud and haste, paving the way for immediate combat or abilities usage while providing robust protection against targeted spells or abilities. Although shroud is more restrictive than hexproof, as it prevents all players from targeting the creature, some players prefer the latitude hexproof provides, allowing them to interact with their own creatures.

Another parallel can be drawn with the card Whispersilk Cloak, which not only renders a creature unblockable but also confers shroud, guaranteeing safe passage through enemy lines. However, Swiftfoot Boots stands out with its lower equip cost, making it a more flexible option in the diverse strategies of MTG gameplay. Then we have the Trailblazer’s Boots, which offer a different kind of edge – making creatures virtually unblockable in most game situations, yet without the protective element of hexproof or shroud. This nuance is vital in deck building decisions, where Swiftfoot Boots often finds a spot due to its balanced mixture of agility and defense.

Evaluating these options highlights why Swiftfoot Boots is renowned and frequently incorporated into many MTG decks; its combination of speed and protection is a game-changer in various formats and playstyles.

Lightning Greaves - MTG Card versions
Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Trailblazer's Boots - MTG Card versions
Lightning Greaves - Mirrodin (MRD)
Whispersilk Cloak - Darksteel (DST)
Trailblazer's Boots - Zendikar (ZEN)

Cards similar to Swiftfoot Boots by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - 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
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions
Dragon's Claw - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Winter Orb - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Ankh of Mishra - Collectors' Edition (CED)
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)
Elsewhere Flask - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Dragon's Claw - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Swiftfoot Boots MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic 2012, 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 Swiftfoot Boots and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Swiftfoot Boots Magic the Gathering card was released in 28 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861322015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
22011-07-15Magic 2012M12 2192003normalblackSvetlin Velinov
32013-11-01Commander 2013C13 2632003normalblackSvetlin Velinov
42014-11-07Commander 2014C14 2752015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
52015-11-13Commander 2015C15 2712015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
62015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 1302015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
72016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2762015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
82017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 2332015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
92017-08-25Commander 2017C17 2262015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
102018-03-16Masters 25A25 2342015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
112018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 2232015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
122018-08-09Commander 2018C18 2252015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
132019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6062015normalblackCosmin Podar
142020-04-17Commander 2020C20 2542015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
152020-09-26The ListPLST A25-2342015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
162020-09-26The ListPLST M12-2192003normalblackSvetlin Velinov
172020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 7022015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
182020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 4742015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
192021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 1052015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
202021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 2172015normalblackManuel Castañón
212021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1632015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
222021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1692015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
232022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 1632015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
242022-03-05Wizards Play Network 2022PW22 42015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
252022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3822015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
262022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 3392015normalblackManuel Castañón
272022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 581997normalblackSvetlin Velinov
282022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 1211997normalblackSvetlin Velinov
292022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 121z1997normalblackSvetlin Velinov
302022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1661997normalblackSvetlin Velinov
312023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 3142015normalblackSvetlin Velinov
322024-03-08FalloutPIP 2422015normalblackZezhou Chen
332024-03-08FalloutPIP 7702015normalblackZezhou Chen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Swiftfoot Boots has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-03-16 If a creature enters the battlefield under your control and gains haste, but then loses it before attacking, it won't be able to attack that turn. This means that you can't use one Swiftfoot Boots to allow two new creatures to attack in the same turn.

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