Oracle of Bones MTG Card


Can grant significant card advantage by potentially casting spells without mana cost. Acts as acceleration, mimicking ramp by skipping mana costs under certain conditions. The tribute mechanic allows for instant-like strategic plays, keeping opponents alert.
Oracle of Bones - Born of the Gods
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Minotaur Shaman
Abilities Haste,Tribute
Released2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set nameBorn of the Gods
Set codeBNG
Power 3
Toughness 1
Number103
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGreg Staples

Text of card

Haste Tribute 2 (As this creature enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice may place two +1/+1 counters on it.) When Oracle of Bones enters the battlefield, if tribute wasn't paid, you may cast an instant or sorcery card from your hand without paying its mana cost.


Cards like Oracle of Bones

Oracle of Bones enters the scene as a unique addition to the realm of creature cards with additional perks in Magic: The Gathering. At a glance, it might remind seasoned players of another card – Elite Arcanist. Both have an ability that hinges on exiling an instant or sorcery card, however, Oracle of Bones brings an interesting twist with its tribute mechanic, offering the potential for an immediate free spell casting if the opponent chooses not to pay tribute.

Comparably, Goblin Dark-Dwellers offers a one-time chance to cast an instant or sorcery from the graveyard without paying its mana cost upon entering the battlefield. Although the Dark-Dwellers lack the tribute gamble, they do have a direct impact on the game by providing definite value. Diluvian Primordial is another creature with a spell-recasting ability, snagging one instant or sorcery from each opponent’s graveyard, which can be a game-changer in multiplayer formats.

Ultimately, Oracle of Bones stands out with its potential for a no-cost spell and the mind games induced by the tribute mechanic, making it a distinctive choice for players looking to incorporate a mixture of creature pressure and spell utility into their MTG strategies.

Elite Arcanist - MTG Card versions
Goblin Dark-Dwellers - MTG Card versions
Diluvian Primordial - MTG Card versions
Elite Arcanist - MTG Card versions
Goblin Dark-Dwellers - MTG Card versions
Diluvian Primordial - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Oracle of Bones 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
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Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
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

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you play Oracle of Bones, you gain the potential to cast a spell for free if the tribute isn’t paid. This can lead to a significant swing in your favor, potentially getting a high-cost spell on the board much earlier than usual, thus increasing your card advantage without expending resources from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Oracle of Bones offers a form of acceleration if your opponent chooses not to pay the tribute. The ability to cast an expensive spell without paying its mana cost can significantly speed up your game plan, effectively acting as a pseudo ramp by bypassing mana requirements.

Instant Speed: Although Oracle of Bones itself isn’t an instant, the flexibility of casting another spell for free upon its entry into the battlefield can mimic instant-speed plays. This can surprise an unprepared opponent and allow for powerful plays even during their turn, should they choose not to honor the tribute.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Oracle of Bones often hinges on having a noncreature card in hand to benefit from its tribute ability. Without one, the advantage potential plummets, straining your strategic options especially when your hand is running thin.

Specific Mana Cost: Oracle of Bones asks for a specific blend of mana: two generic and two red. This requirement can complicate deck-building, pushing it towards red-dominant mana bases and possibly restricting its inclusion in more diverse mana color decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost of four mana, Oracle of Bones may come into play a bit too late compared to other versatile three-mana creatures. Its impact on the board could be overshadowed by quicker, more effective plays available within the same mana range.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Oracle of Bones offers a unique flexibility for red-centric decks, as it can serve as both an aggressive four-drop with haste and a potential spell caster without paying mana costs if tribute isn’t paid, adapting to different game situations.

Combo Potential: With its tribute ability, this card can significantly advance combo strategies by potentially dropping high-impact spells for free, providing a sudden swing in board state or strategic advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where opponents may struggle to deal with multiple threats or where free spells can turn the tables, Oracle of Bones holds a particular niche, especially in formats where tempo and speed are decisive factors.


How to beat

Oracle of Bones presents an interesting challenge to players looking to maintain control of the game. This creature card from the Born of the Gods expansion has a unique ability that can turn the tide of a match by potentially allowing you to cast a spell without paying its mana cost. This happens if your opponent chooses not to let you have the Tribute when Oracle of Bones enters the battlefield. Therefore, countering this card effectively requires a blend of strategy and careful anticipation.

One approach is to employ instant-speed removal spells to eliminate Oracle of Bones before its Tribute ability can trigger. You also have the choice to allow the Tribute, accepting that Oracle of Bones gains power but preventing your opponent from getting a free spell. Additionally, keeping counterspells ready can neutralize the threat of a free cast if your opponent tries to take advantage of Oracle of Bones’ Tribute ability. Ultimately, flexibility and foresight are key. Understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s plans and when to let them commit to their move without gaining an advantage is crucial in outmaneuvering the threat posed by Oracle of Bones.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Oracle of Bones MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Oracle of Bones and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Oracle of Bones has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-02-01 If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as its value.
2014-02-01 If the opponent pays tribute, the creature will enter the battlefield with the specified number of +1/+1 counters on it. It won’t enter the battlefield and then have the +1/+1 counters placed on it.
2014-02-01 If the triggered ability has a target, that target will not be known while the creature spell with tribute is on the stack.
2014-02-01 If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t pay alternative costs such as overload costs. You can, however, pay additional costs such as kicker costs. If the card has mandatory additional costs, you must pay those.
2014-02-01 If you choose to cast a split card with fuse without paying its mana cost, you may cast both halves.
2014-02-01 If you want to cast a card this way, you cast it as part of the resolution of the triggered ability. Timing restrictions based on the card’s type (such as sorcery) are ignored. Other casting restrictions (such as “Cast
-his card] only before attackers are declared”) are not.
2014-02-01 Players can’t respond to the tribute decision before the creature enters the battlefield. That is, if the opponent doesn’t pay tribute, the triggered ability will trigger before any player has a chance to remove the creature.
2014-02-01 The choice of whether to pay tribute is made as the creature with tribute is entering the battlefield. At that point, it’s too late to respond to the creature spell. For example, in a multiplayer game, opponents won’t know whether tribute will be paid or which opponent will be chosen to pay tribute or not when deciding whether to counter the creature spell.
2014-02-01 The triggered ability will resolve even if the creature with tribute isn’t on the battlefield at that time.
2017-04-18 For effects that check which player put counters on the entering creature, the player chosen to pay tribute puts those counters on it, not the creature’s controller.