Bala Ged Scorpion MTG Card
2010-04-23 - Number 95
2016-09-02 - Number 39
2017-11-17 - Number 79
2019-11-07 - Number 568
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-79
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Scorpion |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Bala Ged Scorpion enters the battlefield, you may destroy target creature with power 1 or less.
Fast and lethal, with a penchant for the weak and infirm.
Cards like Bala Ged Scorpion
Bala Ged Scorpion holds its place in the realm of creature cards, especially those with a focus on controlling the opponent’s board. This card is directly comparable to the likes of Fungal Rebirth, which shares the idea of neutralizing threats. Even so, Bala Ged Scorpion provides a straightforward removal ability upon entering the battlefield, targeting creatures with one toughness, offering a precise advantage against token strategies or utility creatures.
Analogous in purpose, Typhoid Rats also presents as a deterrent for attackers, equipped with deathtouch to ward off larger threats. Unlike Bala Ged Scorpion, the Rats are sized to take down practically any creature through combat but lack the direct removal effect upon entry. Considering mana value, Pharika’s Chosen is another notable comparison. This card too comes with deathtouch at a low cost, but again, it does not offer the removal upon landing that Bala Ged Scorpion does.
Assessing these alike cards, Bala Ged Scorpion stands out for those strategic plays where triggering an enter-the-battlefield effect can synergize with your game plan, making it a tactical selection among black creature cards within MTG.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bala Ged Scorpion, when summoned, can immediately impact the battlefield by targeting and potentially removing an opponent’s key early-game creature. This ability to potentially ‘two-for-one’ – where you play one card and remove an opponent’s card – can shift the card advantage in your favor, especially in limited formats where creature removal is at a premium.
Resource Acceleration: Although Bala Ged Scorpion itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to clear the board of smaller threats can indirectly accelerate your game plan. By removing blockers or attackers, it allows your more impactful creatures to get through or protect you, respectively, potentially speeding up your victory.
Instant Speed: The scorpion’s ability is not instant speed, but it’s worth noting that having removal abilities on a creature adds flexibility to your strategy. It can discourage opponents from deploying their own creatures knowing that the Scorpion could remove them, creating a subtle form of psychological advantage and control over the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Some strategies might be compromised by introducing this card into your deck as it doesn’t offer an immediate on-board impact. This could set back tempo-oriented playstyles that need to keep a steady pace.
Specific Mana Cost: Bala Ged Scorpion’s mana requires both generic and black mana, thus it may not seamlessly fit into multi-color decks that have stringent mana base considerations.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating creatures of a similar cost, Bala Ged Scorpion’s 1/3 stats and singular ability may be overshadowed by other alternatives that offer more board presence or multi-functional options, potentially reducing its overall effectiveness in competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Bala Ged Scorpion serves as an efficient removal tool on a stick, ideal for decks needing to control the board while developing their own creature presence.
Combo Potential: It pairs well in decks that capitalize on death triggers or require targeted creature removal to pave the way for larger threats.
Meta-Relevance: Against meta dominated by decks relying on key creatures with one toughness, Bala Ged Scorpion can be an unexpected silver bullet, disrupting an opponent’s strategy upon entry.
How to beat
Bala Ged Scorpion serves as a tactical piece on the MTG battlefield, especially noted for its ability to destroy a creature with power 1 or less upon entering the field. To navigate around this deceptively simple yet potent card, prioritizing the protection of low-power creatures is key. Keeping your creatures’ power above 1 is one basic strategy that can mitigate the impact of the scorpion’s enter-the-battlefield effect.
Another effective method is to employ instant speed removal or counterspells when your opponent casts this creature. This preemptive measure ensures it never gets the chance to exploit its ability. Additionally, leveraging hexproof or indestructible creatures can render Bala Ged Scorpion’s ability irrelevant, securing your creatures against its targeted destruction.
Lastly, focusing on cards that grant value or abilities when creatures die can turn the table on your opponent. This way, even if the scorpion claims a victim, your position on the board becomes stronger or yields card advantage. Remember, in MTG, understanding and anticipating an opponent’s threats is as crucial as building your own strategy around them.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bala Ged Scorpion MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis, 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 Bala Ged Scorpion and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Bala Ged Scorpion Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Daarken.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-04-23 | Rise of the Eldrazi | ROE | 95 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 2 | 2016-09-02 | Duel Decks: Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis | DDR | 39 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 3 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 568 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | IMA-79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bala Ged Scorpion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bala Ged Scorpion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-06-15 | The power of the targeted creature is checked both as you target it and as the ability resolves. |