Basking Capybara MTG Card


It indirectly offers card advantage through synergistic effects with other cards and abilities. Capybara can bolster land ramp strategies, serving as a defensive creature to protect key spells. Despite a steep mana cost, its inclusion can be justified by its adaptability in various decks.
Basking Capybara - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Capybara
Abilities Descend
Released2023-11-17
Set symbol
Set nameThe Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Set codeLCI
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number175
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byIlse Gort

Text of card

Descend 4 — Basking Capybara gets +3/+0 as long as there are four or more permanent cards in your graveyard.

"Even our most learned philosophers can only hope to approach the inner serenity of the humble capybara." —Nelli, Oltec didact


Cards like Basking Capybara

Basking Capybara introduces a delightful option for players who value defensive creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its parallels can be drawn with the well-known Ornithopter, which has a low cost and offers defensive utility with flying. Though the Ornithopter may provide evasion, Basking Capybara shines with its slightly higher toughness, granting it better survivability against some early threats.

Looking at Shielded Aether Thief, another creature excelling in defense, it has the added benefit of drawing cards. While it requires blue mana and energy to unlock its full potential, the Basking Capybara is more straightforward and reliable in a typical green creature deck. Another similar card worth mentioning is the Paladin of Atonement, which can get stronger under the right conditions. However, Basking Capybara remains consistent without conditional triggers.

Overall, while there are several creatures that can serve as low-cost defenders, the Basking Capybara holds its ground with simplicity and resilience. It may not possess special abilities, but in a green strategy focused on buying time and stability, it proves to be a valuable inclusion.

Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Shielded Aether Thief - MTG Card versions
Paladin of Atonement - MTG Card versions
Ornithopter - MTG Card versions
Shielded Aether Thief - MTG Card versions
Paladin of Atonement - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Basking Capybara by color, type and mana cost

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Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
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Sakura-Tribe Elder - MTG Card versions
Stonewood Invoker - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Basking Capybara may not directly allow you to draw cards, but its inclusion in your deck can indirectly lead to card advantage. Consider its synergy with effects that reward you for creatures entering the battlefield or its potential to trigger beneficial abilities on other cards.

Resource Acceleration: While Basking Capybara in itself is not a direct source of resource acceleration, it can be an enabler for land ramp strategies. It can serve as an early blocker, ensuring your key ramp spells resolve by absorbing potential threats.

Instant Speed: The Capybara itself is a creature card and doesn’t have the instant speed trait, but it can benefit from instant speed interactions. Its mere presence could deter opponents from attacking, knowing you might have instant-speed tricks up your sleeve to leverage the Capybara’s defensive capabilities.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Basking Capybara requires you to discard another card to activate its special abilities. This could put you at a disadvantage, especially in a tightly contested game where every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Its cost is narrowly fixed, demanding specific mana combinations to cast it. This limitation may render it unsuitable for a variety of decks, particularly those that operate on a more flexible or diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its abilities, the mana investment to bring Basking Capybara into the game is relatively steep. Players might find that other creatures or spells within the same mana range provide more bang for their buck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Basking Capybara finds its place in a range of green-themed decks that prioritize life gain and creature synergies. Its ability to meld with various play styles makes it a useful pick for both casual and focused deck builders.

Combo Potential: As a creature that potentially increases your life total, Basking Capybara works well with mechanics that flourish from life changes like Proliferate or Aetherflux Reservoir, offering creative possibilities for combo enthusiasts.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values creatures with passive abilities that can influence the board state, Basking Capybara assures subtle yet stable life gain, which could prove crucial in turning the tide against aggressive strategies.


How to beat

Basking Capybara is a creature card that players might underestimate in Magic: The Gathering due to its unassuming nature, but it can become quite the formidable blocker under the right conditions. To effectively counter this card, you’ll want to prevent its activated abilities from being a nuisance. One strategy is to employ removal spells before the Capybara gets a chance to be settled with enhancements or before your opponent has the means to capitalize on its potential. Keeping a watchful eye on enchantment removal options is also a smart move, ensuring that any boosts the Capybara receives can be swiftly dealt with. Moreover, evasion tactics such as flying or trample can bypass the Capybara’s stout defenses, allowing you to attack your opponent directly. In essence, staying proactive and leveraging your removal spells to disrupt your opponent’s plans is key to overcoming the Basking Capybara’s resilience on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Basking Capybara MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Basking Capybara and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Basking Capybara has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-11-10 Cards with the ability word "descend N" have abilities that care if you have at least N permanent cards in your graveyard.
2023-11-10 Some descend triggered abilities include intervening "if" clauses (i.e. "if you have
-our or eight] permanent cards in your graveyard" in the middle of the ability). Each of these abilities checks your graveyard at the moment it would trigger to see if it does. If you don't have the required number of permanent cards in your graveyard at that time, the ability doesn't trigger at all. If it does trigger, it will check again as it tries to resolve. If you don't have the required number of permanent cards in your graveyard at that time, the ability won't resolve and none of its effects will happen.