Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Hapatra excels by converting -1/-1 counters into valuable deathtouch snake tokens, enhancing card advantage.
  2. Token generation fuels resource acceleration, crucial for Golgari sacrifice or recursion strategies in MTG.
  3. Despite requiring diligent hand management, Hapatra’s versatility and combo potential deem her a worthy collection addition.

Text of card

Whenever Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons deals combat damage to a player, you may put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. Whenever you put one or more -1/-1 counters on a creature, create a 1/1 green Snake creature token with deathtouch.

Her subtle smile is suffused with venom.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons, shines by turning each sneaky -1/-1 counter placed on creatures into an opportunity to overrun the board with 1/1 deathtouch snake tokens. This translates directly into a sustained card advantage, keeping your hand full and your options open.

Resource Acceleration: In a game where speed can be crucial, those very snake tokens play another vital role. They are not just a threat on their own but also fuel for various sacrifice or recursion strategies that accelerate your resources, giving you the upper hand.

Instant Speed: While Hapatra, herself, may not act at instant speed, her ability synergizes well with other cards that do. Instant-speed spells that distribute -1/-1 counters can create snake tokens on your opponent’s turn, enhancing your board state unexpectedly and disrupting their strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons necessitates careful hand management, as triggering her ability requires you to manage -1/-1 counters effectively. A wrong move could lead to wasted resources, and without additional support, she can demand more from your hand than initially planned.

Specific Mana Cost: Hapatra’s casting cost demands both green and black mana, which anchors her firmly within the Golgari guild. This can present limitations for players looking to integrate her into a multicolored deck, restricting her use to mainly two-color decks or ones that have a strong mana base to support her colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at two mana seems reasonable, but in a fast-paced game, allocating those resources early on might not be the most efficient play. In environments where speed is crucial, dedicating turn two to cast Hapatra could set back your board development, especially when compared to other one or two-drop creatures that can impact the board immediately.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons offers a unique blend of attack and defense capabilities. She can place -1/-1 counters on creatures, a tactic that serves as both disruption and a way to generate deathtouch snake tokens. Her two mana cost also makes her a swift addition to the battlefield, fitting snugly into various deck types and strategies.

Combo Potential: Hapatra’s ability to create snake tokens when -1/-1 counters are placed gives her tremendous combo potential. She synergizes exceptionally well with cards that spread these counters, or with proliferate mechanics that increase them, enabling a token generation engine that can rapidly overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where small creatures and token strategies can dominate, Hapatra edges in as a key player. She disrupts creature-heavy decks and can turn the tide with her poison counters. She excels in a meta where combating numerous creatures is paramount, making her a strategic play in such environments.


How to beat

Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can quickly overwhelm opponents with a swarm of deathtouching snake tokens. To effectively counter Hapatra, focusing on removal spells that can target her directly is a key strategy. Since she only has two toughness, burn spells or cheap removal like Fatal Push can eliminate her before her ability becomes problematic. Moreover, preventing Hapatra from dealing damage in combat stops her from placing -1/-1 counters and creating snakes, so utilizing cards that can tap or otherwise incapacitate creatures will also halt her ability.

Additionally, board wipes can be particularly devastating after Hapatra has created several tokens. Sweeping the board clears away the snakes along with other creatures, setting back the Hapatra player’s momentum. Lastly, graveyard recursion is often employed to bring Hapatra back from the graveyard. Thus, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can also be critical, preventing her return and keeping the path clear. Battling a Hapatra deck requires a careful balance of timely removal and disruption to undermine the synergy and token generation she is known for.


BurnMana Recommendations

Considering Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons’ exceptional ability to turn -1/-1 counters into a strategic advantage, it’s clear that she can be a powerhouse in the right setup. Whether you thrive on intricate board states or enjoy commanding relentless token armies, incorporating Hapatra into your collection can revitalize your deck strategy. With her potential for combos, disruption, and even meta dominance, she facilitates a gameplay style brimming with interaction and tactical superiority. Keen to delve deeper into her possibilities and cultivate a game plan that leaves your opponents respectably unnerved? Dive into our comprehensive guides and embrace the art of calculated dominance through Hapatra’s unique brand of poison.


Cards like Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons

Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons offers a unique role in MTG as a commander who excels at proliferating -1/-1 counters and generating deathtouch creatures. A card that shares this affinity for counters is Necroskitter, which not only capitalizes on actually snatching creatures weakened by -1/-1 counters but lacks the token-generating ability of Hapatra. Another comparison could be drawn to The Scorpion God, which also interacts with -1/-1 counters and has the added benefit of card draw but at a higher mana cost.

Looking at the perspective of token generation, cards like Bloodline Keeper provide a different approach by creating flying vampire tokens without the -1/-1 counter synergy Hapatra enjoys. Meanwhile, Mitotic Slime, although requiring a larger mana investment upfront, produces multiple oozing tokens on death, diverging from Hapatra’s ongoing token generation method. It’s fascinating to observe the variables between these cards and how they can shape different strategies within MTG gameplay.

While Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons might not boast the direct card advantage of The Scorpion God or the immediate impact of Mitotic Slime, her low cost and continuous deathtouch snake creation alongside potential counter manipulation make her an intriguing option for strategic deck builders and players looking to control the board with finesse.

Necroskitter - MTG Card versions
The Scorpion God - MTG Card versions
Mitotic Slime - MTG Card versions
Necroskitter - Eventide (EVE)
The Scorpion God - Amonkhet Invocations (MP2)
Mitotic Slime - Magic 2011 Promos (PM11)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Promos, 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 Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 1992015normalblackTyler Jacobson
22017-04-29Amonkhet PromosPAKH 199s2015normalblackTyler Jacobson
32020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 2382015normalblackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-04-18 If a creature with wither or infect deals damage to a creature, the controller of the creature with wither or infect puts that many -1/-1 counters on the second creature.
2017-04-18 If you put any number of -1/-1 counters on more than one creature at once, Hapatra’s last ability triggers once for each of those creatures.
2017-04-18 If you put enough -1/-1 counters on Hapatra so that its toughness is 0 or less, its last ability triggers.

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