Bog Tatters MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wraith
Abilities	Swampwalk
Released	2009-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Zendikar
Set code	ZEN
Power	4
Toughness	2
Number	84
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daarken

Key Takeaways

Bog Tatters may lead to card advantage in graveyard-utilizing decks through reanimation or graveyard synergy.
Its swampwalk ability is a tactical edge in black mana decks, making it unblockable if opponents control swamps.
While the card poses some limitations, including a high mana cost, its niche benefits can enhance certain strategies.

Text of card

Swampwalk

A wraith is a tale of brutal slaying told anew whenever it finds a victim.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bog Tatters may not directly offer the luxury of drawing more cards, but its interaction within certain deck archetypes can lead to indirect card advantage. For instance, in a graveyard-focused strategy, discarding Bog Tatters to then reanimate it or capitalize on its presence in the graveyard can turn it into an advantageous asset.

Resource Acceleration: Although Bog Tatters itself is not a direct source of resource acceleration, its synergy with swamp-mana mechanics can be a boost. Utilizing swamps to cast this creature and leveraging swamp-based ramp can provide a ramp effect in black-centric decks.

Instant Speed: Bog Tatters comes as a creature and not an instant, yet it benefits from playing at instant speed through companion spells. Having other spells that operate at instant speed allows you to optimally time the deployment of this creature, aligning your strategy and maintaining flexibility on the battlefield.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Bog Tatters asks you to discard a card upon casting, which might be detrimental if your hand is already depleted or if the cards in hand are too valuable to be discarded.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a specific type of mana (black), potentially restricting its compatibility exclusively with mono-black or black-inclusive multicolor decks, thus not fitting seamlessly into any deck build.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at five mana for a 3/2 creature, Bog Tatters carries a mana cost that some players may find too steep compared to other creatures with similar or better abilities and stats at a lower cost threshold.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bog Tatters can be a useful addition to decks that thrive on swamp synergy or require creatures with evasion abilities. With its swampwalk ability, it can be unblockable as long as your opponent controls a swamp.

Combo Potential: The swampwalk ability of Bog Tatters allows for strategic plays in combination with cards that turn your opponent’s lands into swamps, thus enabling direct attacks and potential finishing moves.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where players often use multicolored decks that include black, the inherent advantage of Bog Tatters’ evasive capabilities can disrupt your opponent’s defenses, making it a relevant choice for specific metagames.

How to beat

Bog Tatters presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield in Magic the Gathering. As a creature that thrives in a scenario where your opponent has no cards in hand, it can become quite formidable with its swampwalk ability. Players aiming to neutralize Bog Tatters have several strategies they can employ. The key is to maintain card advantage and keep sufficient blockers ready.

Utilizing instant-speed removal spells will handle this threat before it can capitalize on being unblockable by swampwalk. Consider spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile for efficient creature control. Moreover, engaging in strategic card draw can ensure that you always have answers at your disposal. Since Bog Tatters’s strength hinges upon an opponent’s empty hand, cards like Brainstorm or Opt could be instrumental in outmaneuvering this creature.

In essence, though Bog Tatters can swing the game under the right conditions, a well-prepared player with a focus on resource management and strategic plays can overcome this shadowy threat. Maintaining control over the game’s pace and your hand size through smart play is the key to beating Bog Tatters.

Cards like Bog Tatters

Bog Tatters is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering that slides into the realm of swampwalkers. A comparable creature is Cold-Eyed Selkie, which possesses islandwalk, allowing it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls an Island. What sets Bog Tatters apart is its focus on swamps, which can be particularly useful against decks running black mana.

Another creature that shares the evasion mechanic is Filth, which needs to be in the graveyard to grant swampwalk to all of your creatures. While not a creature itself, it can broadly augment your board, unlike Bog Tatters which affects only itself. Then there’s Thada Adel, Acquisitor, who has islandwalk plus an ability to steal artifacts from the opponent’s deck, offering both an evasive attack and a form of card advantage.

When choosing swampwalk creatures or cards with similar abilities, it comes down to the specifics of your strategy and the common land types in your play environment. Bog Tatters may not be the most versatile or powerful option available, but it has its place in decks that exploit opponents’ reliance on swamps.

Thada Adel, Acquisitor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bog Tatters by color, type and mana cost

Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions

Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bog Tatters MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Bog Tatters and other MTG cards: