Bloodshot Trainee MTG Card
2007-05-04 - Number 110
2010-10-01 - Number 85
2015-05-22 - Number 107
2020-07-17 - Number 298
2020-08-07 - Number 119
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Effective creature removal when powered up, turning each activation into a potential swing in card advantage.
- Enables strategic mana use by eliminating opponent threats, aiding in resource-efficient plays on following turns.
- Limited to decks that can boost its power, underlying its dependence on specific conditions for optimal performance.
Text of card
: Bloodshot Trainee deals 4 damage to target creature. Play this ability only if Bloodshot Trainee's power is 4 or greater.
"Hrrngh! Someday I'm going to hurl this . . . er . . . roll this . . . hrrngh . . . nudge this boulder right down a cliff."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The unique ability of the Bloodshot Trainee to target creatures for direct damage can set the stage for potential card advantage. When equipped or buffed to reach a power of 4 or greater, it transforms into a repeatable source of creature removal. Effectively, every activation that removes an opponent’s creature is a swing in card advantage, solidifying your control on the board.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Bloodshot Trainee doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional mana-generating sense, it can contribute to a form of resource acceleration by removing key threats. This allows you to use your mana more efficiently on subsequent turns, investing in winning strategies instead of constantly reacting to opponents’ creatures.
Instant Speed: The trainee’s ability may not be at instant speed, but pairing it with equipment or spells that can be activated or cast at instant speed can lead to strategic plays during your opponent’s turn. For instance, waiting for the right moment to buff the Trainee before damage resolution can eliminate an attacker and prevent combat damage to your own life total.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Bloodshot Trainee can pack a punch with the right setup, this creature comes with the need for a specific board state to be effective. If its power isn’t 4 or greater, its ability is essentially null, which may lead to a decision to discard it instead of playing a potentially idle creature.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting requirement of three generic and one red mana for this goblin may not be steep, but it does pigeonhole the card into red-centric or heavy-red decks, limiting versatility. Decks without a strong red mana base might struggle to include and play this card efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a 2/3 body for four mana, Bloodshot Trainee’s cost-effectiveness is debatable. Alternative creatures or spells at similar mana costs could provide immediate impact without the condition of modifying its power to unlock its potential.
Reasons to Include Bloodshot Trainee in Your Collection
Versatility: Bloodshot Trainee can be a key piece in decks that manipulate power levels. Its ability to destroy creatures with high power makes it a valuable tool in gameplay, shifting the board’s dynamics to your favor.
Combo Potential: When synergized with equipment or aura cards that increase its power, Bloodshot Trainee turns into a repeatable source of creature removal. This simple yet effective combo can be a game changer in the right deck.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, so do the decks. In a meta where powerful creatures are prevalent, Bloodshot Trainee offers a consistent way to control opponents’ threats on a budget, making it a smart choice for players keeping an eye on the shifting tides of competitive play.
How to beat Bloodshot Trainee
Bloodshot Trainee may not always appear as a formidable adversary in the vast universe of MTG cards due to its specific activation condition. As a card that necessitates a power of 4 or greater to unlock its ability, the Trainee can at first glance seem easy to manage. Yet, when combined with equipment or enchantments that increase its power, it can become a concerning threat, capable of picking off smaller creatures with its ability.
Overcoming this card calls for preemptive action and disruption. Players can neutralize Bloodshot Trainee by utilizing instant-speed removal spells before the Trainee’s power can be enhanced. Alternatively, preventing the boost in the first place with cards that hinder equipment or aura spells can also prove effective. Furthermore, employing creature-based strategies that do not heavily rely on smaller creatures, which are vulnerable to the Trainee’s targeted ability, can be a sound approach to ensure the card remains ineffectual.
Being vigilant about the board state and maintaining control over the creatures and buffs your opponent possesses will lead to a successful containment of Bloodshot Trainee’s potential. With thoughtful maneuvering of your resources and keeping pressure on your opponent, you can ensure the Trainee’s ability is a non-factor in your path to victory.
Cards like Bloodshot Trainee
Bloodshot Trainee finds its niche within the broader archetype of creature cards that incorporate targeted ability effects in MTG. This goblin warrior distinguishes itself with the unique potential to inflict 4 damage to a target creature when its power is enhanced to 4 or more. This can be compared to cards like Cunning Sparkmage, which offers a lower potential damage output but with the flexibility of pinging any target each turn without any power threshold.
Looking at other similar cards, Prodigal Pyromancer stands out as it provides consistent damage dealing capability. Although it only deals 1 damage to any target, its ability does not rely on a power condition, giving it a steadier presence on the board. In comparison, Bloodshot Trainee requires a specific setup to unlock its full potential, which can be seen as both a limitation and a strength depending on the deck synergy.
To cap off, assessing cards like Bloodshot Trainee up against its peers reveals that while it may demand more from a player in creating the right conditions, it also offers a significant damage ceiling. This makes it a valuable addition to strategies centered around power boosting and target removal within the game.
Cards similar to Bloodshot Trainee by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bloodshot Trainee MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Bloodshot Trainee and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Bloodshot Trainee Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-05-04 | Future Sight | FUT | 110 | future | Normal | Black | Lucio Parrillo | |
| 2 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 85 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 3 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 298 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 5 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 119 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bloodshot Trainee has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bloodshot Trainee card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-08-07 | Once Bloodshot Trainee's ability has been activated, it will deal damage even if Bloodshot Trainee's power is less than 4 by the time the ability resolves. |
