Liana Lenhosa Carta MTG

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Bramble Creeper presents a unique form of pseudo-card advantage. Each time it sustains damage, it grows stronger, potentially out-matching an opponent’s creatures and negating the need for additional cards to overcome threats on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a resource accelerator, Bramble Creeper can influence battlefield dynamics to make better use of the mana resources at your disposal. By requiring fewer spells to deal with larger threats thanks to its ability to grow, you’re effectively accelerating your resource utilization.

Instant Speed: While the Bramble Creeper itself is a creature card not played at instant speed, it synergizes well with instant-speed spells in your deck that may prevent damage or outright remove the sources of threats. This interaction allows the Creeper to thrive and become a formidable creature that can be supported and protected with instant-speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside is the potential need to discard another card to maximize Bramble Creeper’s potential, which can be particularly challenging when hand size is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Bramble Creeper demands both green mana and a considerable total mana investment, which may not synergize smoothly with decks that aren’t heavily green-focused or those that rely on a low mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its higher mana cost in relation to its base stats and abilities, Bramble Creeper may not compete favorably with other creatures in the same cost bracket, potentially making it a less attractive option for deck builders looking for efficient beaters.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bramble Creeper’s ability to grow in power with each blocked attack allows it to fit into decks that thrive on combat and deterring opponent attacks. It easily adapts to various strategies, making it an unassuming but resilient threat.

Combo Potential: Its scaling power can synergize with cards that track creature strength, triggering effects when it reaches new heights or using it as a robust defender that becomes more formidable over time.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that appreciates robust creatures, Bramble Creeper gains relevance. Its enduring presence on the board poses a question to opponents: attack and help it grow or find another way around? Either decision works in your favor, which speaks to the Creeper’s subtle strategic depth.

How to beat

Bramble Creeper may seem intimidating with its strength that scales as it gets damaged, but there are several ways to navigate past this thorny adversary in MTG. One effective strategy is to remove it before it gets buffed. Since the Creeper only gains +1/+1 when it’s dealt damage, using spells that don’t deal damage but instead destroy or exile it can be key. Cards like Path to Exile or Doom Blade can handily bypass its growth mechanic. Another tactic is to use enchantments that prevent it from attacking or blocking, such as Pacifism or Ice Over, effectively neutralizing the threat without triggering its ability.

Alternatively, controlling the combat step and avoiding damage can keep Bramble Creeper at bay. Utilize creatures with flying or other forms of evasion to circumvent the Creeper’s defenses. In a pinch, if the Creeper has grown beyond manageable size, forcing a sacrifice through effects like Diabolic Edict or using a board wipe spell that destroys all creatures, such as Wrath of God, can reset the playing field. By carefully considering your removal options and controlling the combat interactions, you can prevent Bramble Creeper from ever taking root.