Pact of the Serpent MTG Card


Drawing three cards from Pact of the Serpent can significantly boost hand resources during play. Its strategic use is best in decks that utilize creature types, like Elves or Demons. Despite its benefits, the card demands careful consideration due to its discard requirement.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Choose a creature type. Target player draws X cards and loses X life, where X is the number of creatures they control of the chosen type.

"Our quarrels behind us. Our foes before us. Death or triumph for us all!"


Cards like Pact of the Serpent

Pact of the Serpent is a unique spell in MTG, catering to those who have adopted a snake-centric strategy. It parallels with cards like Ambition’s Cost and Ancient Craving, which also allow players to draw three cards at the expense of life. However, Pact of the Serpent sharpens its focus with its condition of requiring a creature type that aligns with it, thus providing a tailored advantage for decks featuring snakes.

Contrasting against it, Sign in Blood stands out as another life-for-cards trade. Though it merely lets you draw two cards, its broader application across various deck types due to its less restrictive casting requirements offers a versatile option. Then there’s Night’s Whisper, similar in effect to Sign in Blood but with a slightly less punishing life cost, elevating its utility in a wider array of deck builds.

Ultimately, Pact of the Serpent might appear to cater to a niche audience, but within its specific context, the card shines by fueling the engines of serpent-heavy decks in a way that its counterparts cannot emulate as closely, striking a balance between specialization and card advantage in the game.

Ambition's Cost - MTG Card versions
Ancient Craving - MTG Card versions
Sign in Blood - MTG Card versions
Night's Whisper - MTG Card versions
Ambition's Cost - MTG Card versions
Ancient Craving - MTG Card versions
Sign in Blood - MTG Card versions
Night's Whisper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pact of the Serpent by color, type and mana cost

Darkpact - MTG Card versions
Demonic Attorney - MTG Card versions
Jovial Evil - MTG Card versions
Infernal Contract - MTG Card versions
Touch of Death - MTG Card versions
Wicked Pact - MTG Card versions
Nature's Ruin - MTG Card versions
Buried Alive - MTG Card versions
Choking Sands - MTG Card versions
Brush with Death - MTG Card versions
Perish - MTG Card versions
Coercion - MTG Card versions
Hand of Death - MTG Card versions
Grim Tutor - MTG Card versions
Forced March - MTG Card versions
Stupor - MTG Card versions
Soul Burn - MTG Card versions
Noxious Vapors - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Crippling Fatigue - MTG Card versions
Darkpact - MTG Card versions
Demonic Attorney - MTG Card versions
Jovial Evil - MTG Card versions
Infernal Contract - MTG Card versions
Touch of Death - MTG Card versions
Wicked Pact - MTG Card versions
Nature's Ruin - MTG Card versions
Buried Alive - MTG Card versions
Choking Sands - MTG Card versions
Brush with Death - MTG Card versions
Perish - MTG Card versions
Coercion - MTG Card versions
Hand of Death - MTG Card versions
Grim Tutor - MTG Card versions
Forced March - MTG Card versions
Stupor - MTG Card versions
Soul Burn - MTG Card versions
Noxious Vapors - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Crippling Fatigue - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pact of the Serpent provides a significant boost by allowing you to draw three cards, a considerable increase to your hand and options on the field. This can be particularly potent in decks that rapidly deplete their hands or rely on combo pieces to secure victory.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana acceleration, the card offers a different resource boon for black decks that thrive on card quantity. The more cards in hand, the more fuel for discard-based abilities or synergies that propel your strategy forward.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Pact of the Serpent may not have the tactical flexibility of instant speed spells, but it makes up for it with sheer drawing power timed effectively during your turn. This can set you up for a very advantageous next turn, aligning your resources precisely when needed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When you cast Pact of the Serpent, you must consider the strategic consequence it brings; you are required to discard a card after drawing. This condition could put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already depleted or if the cards you have are crucial for your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: One black and two generic mana might seem flexible, but the need for black mana can restrict the card’s inclusion. Decks that do not run black mana as a primary color might find it challenging to accommodate Pact of the Serpent, thus limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although drawing three cards is a substantial benefit, the cost of three mana is a significant investment. Within the same mana range, you may find other cards that can influence the board state or provide a better cost-to-benefit ratio, making the competition tough for Pact of the Serpent in terms of deck slot efficiency.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pact of the Serpent is a card that slides seamlessly into numerous Black-based decks. It serves as a powerful draw engine in Commander games, especially for decks that capitalize on creature types, such as Elves or Demons.

Combo Potential: It holds immense combo potential, synergizing with effects that rely on card draw or losing life for benefits, enriching tactics that involve graveyard strategies or sacrificing creatures for greater gains.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where card advantage is king, Pact of the Serpent shines. It allows you to replenish your hand at a crucial moment, which is especially potent in games that run longer and are more attrition-based.


How to beat

Pact of the Serpent presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering matches that require strategic responses. This card, often seen in black-aligned decks, enables players to pay life to draw cards, benefiting from a sudden surge in resources at a crucial cost. Successfully countering this can turn the tide of a game. Disrupting the life-payment mechanism is crucial. Essentially, life-gain strategies can mitigate the impact of the life loss or you can capitalize on the life payment with cards that punish such an action.

Removal and discard effects also serve as a line of defense. Eliminate the creatures targeted by Pact of the Serpent before it can resolve, or force your opponent to discard it before they have a chance to play it. Cards with specific abilities to counteract drawing, like Narset, Parter of Veils, restrict the card advantage gained. Keeping the board clear of creature swarms reduces the potency of Pact of the Serpent greatly – as it requires a target. With these tactics, you can nullify the advantage that Pact of the Serpent offers.

Understanding how to neutralize the benefits of such cards is elemental for victory. Outmaneuvering Pact of the Serpent can effectively dampen an opponent’s plans and keep you in control of the game’s flow.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves strategic deck-building and understanding the ebb and flow of each card’s potential. Pact of the Serpent, a nuanced yet potent black card, offers both peril and promise. The art lies in balancing its card-drawing boon against its cost and constraints. If your deck dances with shadowy strategies and thrives on the versatility of its black mana, this card can provide a compelling edge. We invite strategic minds and tactical hearts to explore further with us, delving into the depth of Pact of the Serpent’s power and its place in the grander MTG tapestry. Step into our circle to sharpen your knowledge and strategy.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pact of the Serpent MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim Commander and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, 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 Pact of the Serpent and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pact of the Serpent Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 92015NormalBlackDonato Giancola
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 2062015NormalBlackDonato Giancola

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pact of the Serpent has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-02-05 The value of X is based on the number of creatures the player controls of the chosen type as Pact of the Serpent resolves.
2021-02-05 You choose the target player as you cast Pact of the Serpent, but you don't choose the creature type until the spell resolves.
2021-02-05 You must choose an existing creature type, such as Squirrel or Knight. You can't choose card types (e.g., artifact) or supertypes (e.g., snow).