Bioshift MTG Card


Bioshift - Gatecrash
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set nameGatecrash
Set codeGTC
Number214
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byScott Chou

Key Takeaways

  1. Instantly reassign +1/+1 counters to turn the tide of battle or protect assets on the fly.
  2. Requires a creature presence; ineffective when lagging in creature-based strategies.
  3. Excels in decks around +1/+1 counters, despite lacking in explosive growth potential.

Text of card

Move any number of +1/+1 counters from target creature onto another target creature with the same controller.

"It's all right if you change your mind. There's always a chance we can rearrange parts later." —Zija, Simic mutationist


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bioshift offers the potential for a strategic shift in power on the battlefield, efficiently reallocating +1/+1 counters among creatures under your control. This redistribution can equate to protective measures or aggressive play without losing a critical mass of counters, maintaining the upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Bioshift doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration in the form of mana or card draw, it aids in a different form of acceleration by rapidly changing the state of the board to your advantage. It can turn a simple creature into a lethal threat in an instant.

Instant Speed: The true strength of Bioshift lies in its instant speed, providing the flexibility to adapt to the evolving game state. Respond to threats, surprise an opponent during combat, or realign resources on the fly, all on a moment’s notice to make decisive and potentially game-altering plays.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Bioshift doesn’t force you to discard cards, its dependence on having creatures on the battlefield to move counters from and to can sometimes feel like a setback, especially when you’re behind and have fewer creatures to work with.

Specific Mana Cost: Bioshift’s hybrid mana cost, while flexible, still requires you to be playing either green or blue mana, potentially narrowing down the types of decks that can comfortably include this card without compromising the mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The utility of Bioshift may not seem costly at a glance, but in the fast-paced environment where tempo is critical, dedicating even one mana to shift a few counters instead of developing your board or countering key threats can be a significant drawback.


Reasons to Include Bioshift in Your Collection

Versatility: Bioshift offers a unique flexibility by allowing the transfer of +1/+1 counters between creatures you control, adapting to the ever-changing battlefield and enhancing various deck themes.

Combo Potential: This card excels in synergistic interactions, particularly with creatures or mechanics that thrive on +1/+1 counters, offering the opportunity to maximize the impact of your counter-generating cards.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where counters and creature permanence play a substantial role, Bioshift proves its worth by enabling key tactical shifts and preserving valuable counters through spot removal or combat tricks.


How to beat

Bioshift presents a unique challenge in the realm of creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card allows players to manipulate +1/+1 counters, often catching opponents off-guard by bolstering a creature’s power during combat or saving counters from a creature that’s about to be destroyed. Understanding its potential can provide insight into crafting a successful approach against it.

To effectively counter Bioshift, consider cards that nullify abilities or remove counters. A well-timed removal spell can negate the advantage before the counters are shifted, while instant speed interaction with abilities like flash can disrupt your opponent’s well-laid plans. Aim to maintain open mana when you sense that an opponent has Bioshift at their disposal. Control decks excel at this, using counterspells and instant-speed interaction to prevent the Bioshift from resolving or to address the threat it creates.

The key to overcoming a Bioshift scenario is to anticipate the opponent’s moves and remain adaptable. Cards that offer versatility and instant-speed responses will bolster your chances of keeping the upper hand, ensuring that the sudden shifts in creature power become a manageable aspect of your strategy rather than an overwhelming tide.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG players who appreciate the tactical depth of combat and counter manipulation will find Bioshift to be an intriguing addition to their arsenal. Its potential to recalibrate the battlefield at critical moments can be game-changing. Whether you’re striving to protect your creatures or surprise an opponent, the versatility this card offers warrants consideration for your collection. For those keen to understand its strategic applications and impact within various MTG deck archetypes, especially those revolving around +1/+1 counters, exploring our detailed insights can enhance your gameplay. Immerse yourself in the complexities of Bioshift and refine your deck-building skills with BurnMana.


Cards like Bioshift

Bioshift holds a unique position in the MTG universe due to its ability to transfer +1/+1 counters from one creature to another at instant speed. The distinctive feature of this card is its adaptability during combat, allowing players to surprise opponents and preserve valuable counters when a creature is in jeopardy. This flexibility is what sets Bioshift apart from other counter manipulation cards.

When compared to Solidarity of Heroes, which doubles the number of +1/+1 counters on each target creature, Bioshift offers more precision but less explosive growth potential. Both cards capitalize on creatures with +1/+1 counters, yet the former excels in multiplying power on the battlefield. Likewise, Vorel of the Hull Clade can double counters on a permanent, but as an activated ability of a creature, it lacks the instant speed surprise factor that Bioshift provides.

Ultimately, Bioshift caters to players seeking fine control over their creatures’ power dynamics and looking to bolster combat strategies or conserve resources in tight situations. While it doesn’t have the doubling power of some alternatives, the tactical edge and low mana cost make Bioshift a noteworthy tool in decks designed around +1/+1 counters.

Solidarity of Heroes - MTG Card versions
Vorel of the Hull Clade - MTG Card versions
Solidarity of Heroes - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Vorel of the Hull Clade - Dragon's Maze (DGM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bioshift MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Bioshift and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bioshift has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2013-01-24 If one of the two creatures is an illegal target when Bioshift tries to resolve, or if the creatures are controlled by different players at that time, no counters will move.
2013-01-24 To move a counter from one creature to another, the counter is removed from the first creature and placed on the second. Any abilities that care about a counter being removed or placed on a creature will apply.
2013-01-24 You decide how many counters to move when Bioshift resolves.

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