Bumbling Pangolin MTG Card


Bumbling Pangolin - Unstable
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeHost Creature — Pangolin Beast
Released2017-12-08
Set symbol
Set nameUnstable
Set codeUST
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number78
Frame2015
Layouthost
Bordersilver
Illustred byYW Tang
Un-set :-)This card is part of an Un-set

Key Takeaways

  1. Bumbling Pangolin aids in hand-filtering and deck optimization through its unique discard ability.
  2. Instant speed adds strategic flexibility, enabling surprise maneuvers and responses.
  3. Its specific mana cost and discard requirement may hinder its adaptability in diverse decks.

Text of card

When this creature enters the battlefield, you may destroy target artifact.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Bumbling Pangolin provides a unique method of filtering cards in hand, offering the chance to discard unnecessary cards in exchange for potentially more useful draws. This can be pivotal in shifting the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Even though the Bumbling Pangolin does not directly produce additional mana or tokens, its ability to dispose of superfluous land cards can help refine your deck’s performance during play, optimizing your resource management.

Instant Speed: Its capability to act at instant speed grants players the flexibility to adapt quickly to the dynamic battlefield. This is essential in responding to threats or making unexpected plays which can catch opponents off-guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Bumbling Pangolin card necessitates the player to discard another card as part of its casting cost. This downside can be particularly felt when a player’s hand is nearly empty, forcing them to make difficult choices about resource management and potentially losing valuable assets.

Specific Mana Cost: Bumbling Pangolin comes with a mana cost that includes specific color requirements. This can restrict its integration into multicolored decks where mana flexibility is key, potentially limiting the card’s overall versatility in a diverse deck-building meta.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana requirement, Bumbling Pangolin might be seen as cumbersome compared to other creatures in its mana range. Players may find that there are other creatures or spells available which offer a greater impact on the game or more advantageous abilities for the same, or even lower, mana investment.


Reasons to Include Bumbling Pangolin in Your Collection

Versatility: Bumbling Pangolin offers a unique role in decks that can exploit its creature destroying ability. Its role in limited formats as a creature removal tool cannot be understated, making it a flexible addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: With its ability to destroy target artifact or enchantment, this card can be a key piece in combos that capitalize on artifact or enchantment sacrifice for gain. This can seamlessly integrate into strategies that exploit such interactions for value or combo execution.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where artifacts and enchantments play a central role, Bumbling Pangolin can be a game-changer, offering targeted removal that can disrupt opponent strategies. Its relevance grows as the meta shifts towards decks heavily reliant on these permanent types.


How to beat

The Bumbling Pangolin in Magic: The Gathering demands a strategic approach to overcome its defensive capabilities. As a creature that can sacrifice itself to destroy an enchantment, it presents a unique challenge for anyone reliant on enchantment-based strategies. It’s a nuanced dance to navigate around this creature’s ability, as it can disrupt plays and remove key pieces from the battlefield.

When facing the Bumbling Pangolin, consider delaying the deployment of critical enchantments or employ redundancy in your deck to mitigate potential losses. Alternatively, using instant-speed removal in response to the Pangolin’s activation allows you to retain your enchantments and clear the path for your attacks. Players may also explore leveraging the Pangolin’s ability for their benefit if enchantments with ‘leave the battlefield’ triggers are at their disposal, turning a potential setback into an advantage.

Ultimately, adapting to the Bumbling Pangolin’s presence on the board involves anticipation, readiness to act swiftly, and employing a flexible strategy that circumvents or exploits its singular enchantment destruction skill. By doing so, players can neutralize this creature’s defensive posture and maintain their route to victory.


Cards like Bumbling Pangolin

Bumbling Pangolin is an intriguing piece from the vast collection of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative in the game is Reclamation Sage, a notable disruptor on the field for its ability to destroy an artifact or enchantment upon entry. While Bumbling Pangolin requires a sacrifice to activate this ability, Reclamation Sage offers it upfront without such a cost.

Another comparable card is the Caustic Caterpillar, offering flexibility similar to the Bumbling Pangolin. Although the Caterpillar also mandates a sacrifice for its effect, it’s more mana-efficient, making it a viable alternative for players aiming to maintain tempo. Conversely, the Pangolin’s larger body gives it the utility to serve as a blocker post-activation, a trait the Caterpillar lacks.

Assessing these options, the Bumbling Pangolin stands out due to its resilience on the battlefield. Whereas the Reclamation Sage and Caustic Caterpillar serve more as one-off effect creatures, Bumbling Pangolin holds the potential to impact the game over consecutive turns, provided the player can navigate around its sacrifice activation cost.

Reclamation Sage - MTG Card versions
Caustic Caterpillar - MTG Card versions
Reclamation Sage - Magic 2015 Promos (PM15)
Caustic Caterpillar - Magic Origins (ORI)

Cards similar to Bumbling Pangolin 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
Rocket-Powered Turbo Slug - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Keldon Warlord - Collectors' Edition (CED)
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)
Rocket-Powered Turbo Slug - Unhinged (UNH)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bumbling Pangolin MTG card by a specific set like Unstable, 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 Bumbling Pangolin and other MTG cards:

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Rules and information

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

DateText
2018-01-19 Host creatures each have an ability that triggers when it enters the battlefield. It functions like any other creature.

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