Horde of Boggarts MTG Card


Horde of Boggarts - Shadowmoor
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Goblin
Abilities Menace
Released2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set nameShadowmoor
Set codeSHM
Power *
Toughness *
Number94
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred bySteve Prescott

Key Takeaways

  1. Horde of Boggarts grows stronger with your red permanents, offering a cumulative threat to opponents.
  2. Speedy deployment is possible with red’s mana ramp and cost-reduction for goblin cards.
  3. While powerful, the card requires a solid goblin presence and dedicated red mana base.

Text of card

Horde of Boggarts's power and toughness are each equal to the number of red permanents you control. Horde of Boggarts can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.

Strategies don't come easily to the boggarts' feral minds, but full-on assault hasn't failed them yet.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Horde of Boggarts presents a scaling threat that can create an overwhelming board presence. Its power and toughness are determined by the number of red permanents you control, meaning the more you play, the stronger it becomes without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: As part of a red-based deck focusing on speed and efficiency, this card benefits from various acceleration tools that red has to offer. Mana ramp spells, along with cost-reducing effects tailored for goblins and red creatures, can lead to a quicker deployment of Horde of Boggarts, turning it into a formidable force swiftly.

Instant Speed: While Horde of Boggarts itself doesn’t have an instant speed ability, it synergizes well with red cards that do. This allows savvy players to set up instant speed interactions while developing their board with creatures like the Horde, ultimately catching opponents off-guard and maximizing in-game advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Regarding Horde of Boggarts, having a card that synergizes with the number of goblins you control requires a substantial board presence. If you’re unable to establish or maintain a swarm of these creatures, the card can lose much of its potential value, compromising your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The Horde of Boggarts comes with a specific red mana cost combined with a variable cost contingent on the number of goblins in play. This can restrict deck-building options, as it necessitates a heavy red mana base or a dedicated goblin theme to optimize its effectiveness, potentially limiting strategic diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In comparison to other creatures of a similar power level, Horde of Boggarts’ mana cost can be quite steep. Decks looking to be quick and efficient might find the cost-prohibitive, particularly when there are alternative goblin cards or aggro creatures that provide more immediate impact for a lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Horde of Boggarts fits flexibly into a variety of red-based decks, particularly those with a Goblin theme or those looking to capitalize on the power of numbers. Its ability to grow in power with each Goblin or Shaman you control allows for an adaptable threat on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card’s strength increases with Goblin-centric synergies. Pairing it with cards that generate Goblin tokens or those that benefit from having a multitude of creatures can turn Horde of Boggarts into a formidable force, capable of overwhelming opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to scale in power, Horde of Boggarts holds its ground in a creature-heavy meta. Because it essentially carries a built-in menace, it becomes harder to block as your Goblin count grows, thus adapting to various meta shifts focused on creature-based strategies.


How to beat

Horde of Boggarts presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, as its power grows with the number of red permanents you control. This creature card leverages the might of your red elementals, amplifying its force as you expand your fiery domain. Its menace ability compounds the threat, forcing opponents to block with at least two creatures, further straining their defenses. To outmaneuver this relentless swarm, effective strategies include using removal spells like “Path to Exile” or “Doom Blade” that can bypass its growing strength and eliminate it outright.

Controlling the board is crucial, hence sweepers like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation” can reset the board, negating the numbers advantage Horde of Boggarts tends to build upon. It’s also wise to limit the number of red permanents your opponent can amass by countering key spells or using removal on their mana base and smaller creatures, cutting off the synergy that powers the horde. In sum, facing Horde of Boggarts means staying proactive and preventing your adversary from gaining the necessary momentum to overpower you with this formidable and ever-growing menace.


Cards like Horde of Boggarts

Horde of Boggarts is a unique card in MTG that leverages a player’s devotion to red symbols in their mana costs to increase its power. This mechanic is not unheard of, as we see it echoed in cards like Gaea’s Revenge, where power and toughness are influenced by the number of forests you control. Yet, the Horde of Boggarts brings a different dynamic to the table, with its tribal affinity to Goblins, which isn’t mirrored in Gaea’s Revenge.

Ball Lightning is another card that red enthusiasts might align with the horde. Both share a strong offensive presence. However, Ball Lightning is a transient threat with its one-turn lifespan, whereas Horde of Boggarts continues to threaten the battlefield as long as your devotion to red stays strong. Krenko, Mob Boss, is also worth noting, as it fills the board with Goblins which in turn, can amplify the might of Horde of Boggarts, showcasing powerful synergy within the Goblin tribal theme.

Through this comparison, we understand that while there are cards with similar mechanics, Horde of Boggarts holds a distinctive place due to its continuous board presence and synergy with the Goblin tribal, making it a card that can grow in threat level throughout the game.

Gaea's Revenge - MTG Card versions
Ball Lightning - MTG Card versions
Krenko, Mob Boss - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Revenge - Magic 2011 (M11)
Ball Lightning - The Dark (DRK)
Krenko, Mob Boss - Magic 2013 (M13)

Cards similar to Horde of Boggarts by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Keldon Warlord - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Horde of Boggarts MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Horde of Boggarts and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Horde of Boggarts has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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