Bident of Thassa MTG Card


Bident of Thassa boosts card advantage, rewarding combat with valuable card draws. Instant speed ability disrupts opponents, offering tactical game control. Though powerful, it may limit deck versatility and require careful mana investment.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Enchantment Artifact

Text of card

Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card. , : Creatures your opponents control attack this turn if able.

The wills of mortals shift as the tide ebbs and flows.


Cards like Bident of Thassa

The Bident of Thassa is an iconic artifact in MTG, inviting comparisons with other cards that fortify card drawing mechanics coupled with creature engagement. Whispersilk Cloak is one such parallel; although it doesn’t enable card draw directly, it provides creatures with the coveted unblockable keyword, facilitating direct attacks that could synergize with Bident of Thassa’s ability to draw cards on dealing combat damage.

Another analog is Coastal Piracy, which mirrors the card draw aspect of Bident of Thassa without the added functionality to force opponents’ creatures to attack. It offers continuous value but lacks the tactical leverage that the Bident of Thassa’s secondary ability introduces. One mustn’t overlook Reconnaissance Mission either. Albeit functionally similar to Coastal Piracy, it brings the variance of cycling, offering flexibility in situations where the card draw engine isn’t immediately needed.

Taken together, Bident of Thassa stands out with a dual purpose, enabling both an offensive and defensive strategy. It’s not just the drawing of cards it facilitates, but also the strategic control over opponent’s creatures that elevates it within its category in the MTG universe.

Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Reconnaissance Mission - MTG Card versions
Whispersilk Cloak - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Reconnaissance Mission - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Bident of Thassa by color, type and mana cost

Steal Artifact - MTG Card versions
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Animate Artifact - MTG Card versions
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Opposition - MTG Card versions
Collective Restraint - MTG Card versions
Delusions of Mediocrity - MTG Card versions
Thassa, Deep-Dwelling - MTG Card versions
Necroduality - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
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Annex - MTG Card versions
Leyline of Singularity - MTG Card versions
Psychic Possession - MTG Card versions
Steal Artifact - MTG Card versions
Control Magic - MTG Card versions
Animate Artifact - MTG Card versions
Merseine - MTG Card versions
Zur's Weirding - MTG Card versions
Abduction - MTG Card versions
Zephid's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Browse - MTG Card versions
Opposition - MTG Card versions
Collective Restraint - MTG Card versions
Delusions of Mediocrity - MTG Card versions
Thassa, Deep-Dwelling - MTG Card versions
Necroduality - MTG Card versions
Coastal Piracy - MTG Card versions
Treasure Trove - MTG Card versions
Mystic Restraints - MTG Card versions
Ambiguity - MTG Card versions
Annex - MTG Card versions
Leyline of Singularity - MTG Card versions
Psychic Possession - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Bident of Thassa shines by offering a continuous draw mechanism. Every time a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, it lets you draw a card. This creates a potent source of card advantage, keeping your hand replenished and maintaining your pace in the game.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly creating mana, the Bident of Thassa can indirectly accelerate your resources. With each creature’s attack drawing you into potentially more land, spells, or creatures, it can quickly ramp up your board presence and options, giving you a subtle yet powerful leg up on your resources.

Instant Speed: Its secondary ability can be activated at instant speed, forcing your opponents to attack with creatures. This not only disrupts their game plan but also allows you to benefit from the card draw on your turn. The instant speed activation can catch opponents off-guard, turning their strategy against them and providing you with the opportunity to make informed decisions during the full turn cycle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Bident of Thassa doesn’t require a discard itself, using its ability to force opponents to attack may inadvertently deplete your hand, particularly if you’re required to keep spells up for countermagic or protection.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact bears a blue mana requirement in its casting cost, which may not fit seamlessly into multicolor decks that don’t heavily favor blue, potentially restricting the Bident’s versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at four mana to cast, the Bident of Thassa can be seen as an investment, especially in rapid-paced games where early board presence is crucial, making it sometimes a less attractive option compared to lower-cost draw or control spells.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Bident of Thassa offers flexibility as an enchantment that can not only accelerate your card draw but can also control combat dynamics, making it suitable for a wide array of blue-based decks such as control, tempo, or even aggressive builds focused on dealing combat damage.

Combo Potential: This card has the power to turn any number of creatures you control into a card-drawing engine, fueling combos by providing a consistent stream of new cards. Additionally, its activated ability to force opponents to attack can be used to disrupt the opponent’s plans or paired with effects that punish attacking creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where card advantage is king, Bident of Thassa remains relevant by ensuring you maintain a full grip of options. Its applicability in matches against a variety of archetype decks allows it to hold its place as a valued piece in the constantly evolving meta.


How to beat

The Bident of Thassa is a unique artifact that holds sway on the battlefield, offering players the powerful ability to draw a card whenever a creature they control deals combat damage to an opponent. This kind of advantage can quickly turn the tides by ensuring a steady stream of resources. To counteract the Bident of Thassa, players should consider disruption tactics. One effective method is to limit the number of attacks your opponent can make. Utilizing removal spells to keep their board clear prevents them from harvesting extra cards. Alternatively, enchantment removal like Disenchant, can directly target and dismantle the Bident of Thassa itself.

In addition, employing counterspells ensures that the Bident of Thassa never hits the battlefield, inhibiting your opponent’s ability to capitalize on their creatures’ success. Agile deck strategies are necessary to address such a continuous card advantage engine. Control decks and those with access to instant-speed interaction are particularly equipped to handle the persistent threat posed by the Bident of Thassa, preserving the balance and keeping the flow of resources in check.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Bident of Thassa is a standout artifact that does more than just enhance your card draw capabilities—it’s a strategic tool that can dictate the flow of combat and bolster your resource management. Understanding the dual nature of this card is key to making it work for you. In blue decks and those that reward combat tactics, it fits seamlessly and can be a game-changer. Want to dive deeper into optimizing your deck with the Bident or looking for ways to counter it? We’ve got the insights and strategies you need. Explore our in-depth guides and ensure your deck is ready to make a splash in your next MTG match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Bident of Thassa MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros 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 Bident of Thassa and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Bident of Thassa Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2013-09-21 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 501142003NormalBlackRyan Yee
22013-09-21Theros PromosPTHS 42★2003NormalBlackRyan Yee
32013-09-27TherosTHS 422003NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
42015-11-13Commander 2015C15 862015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
52018-03-16Masters 25A25 422015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
62022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 801997NormalBlackKari Christensen
72023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1462015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
82024-06-14Modern Horizons 3 CommanderM3C 1772015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Bident of Thassa has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-03-16 If a creature can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player's control that turn), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having a creature attack, the player isn't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.
2018-03-16 The controller of each attacking creature still chooses which player or planeswalker that creature attacks.