Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 49
2022-01-28 - Number 316
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Serpent Egg |
| Abilities | Defender,Scry,Transform |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Defender When Biolume Egg enters the battlefield, scry 2. When you sacrifice Biolume Egg, return it to the battlefield transformed under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.
Serpents leave their eggs in the cold and inky depths...
Cards like Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent
Biolume Egg and its transformed state, Biolume Serpent, bring a unique two-faced dynamic to the game, similar in concept to other transform cards such as Delver of Secrets, which morphs into Insectile Aberration. Biolume Egg calls for specific environmental conditions, mainly an island, to ignite its transformation, not unlike Delver’s requirement for instant or sorcery spell revelation to become its more formidable version.
In likeness, Primal Amulet is another transform card that changes into Primal Wellspring, echoing the nature of unveil to upgrade. Unlike Biolume Egg, which leans towards offensive tactics once transformed, Primal Amulet’s intent is to enhance spellcasting abilities. Additionally, Ludevic’s Test Subject evolves into Ludevic’s Abomination, requiring mana and threshold counters, differing from Biolume Egg’s island-centered metamorphosis. Both cards, however, offer an advancing threat that evolves as the game progresses.
Parsing through the characteristics of these adaptable cards, Biolume Egg stands out in the transformative card niche within Magic: The Gathering. The potential for a swift and substantial creature like Biolume Serpent makes it a noteworthy inclusion amongst cards that unfold into alternate versions of themselves on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Biolume Egg provides a natural progression into Biolume Serpent, ensuring you’re not falling behind in card efficiency. Once the Egg hatches, you get a formidable creature that can influence the board state, effectively giving you two creatures for the price of one card.
Resource Acceleration: While the Egg itself doesn’t accelerate resources directly, transitioning into the Biolume Serpent can be a game changer. As a large creature, the Serpent can apply pressure and demand answers from the opponent, allowing you to dictate the pace of the game.
Instant Speed: Although the Egg’s transformation into the Serpent isn’t at instant speed, having the Serpent in play means you can cast other spells at instant speed while maintaining a threat. This duality allows for flexible strategies, keeping opponents guessing and giving you the upper hand in reacting to the game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A critical disadvantage to consider with Biolume Egg is the necessity to discard a card to leverage its activated ability. This can be particularly challenging during late-game scenarios when your hand might already be depleted, and sacrificing any remaining resources could be detrimental to your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Biolume Egg’s transformation into the Biolume Serpent requires a specific mana arrangement which includes blue mana. This can pose a limitation for decks not centered around blue, potentially hindering the card’s versatility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to converting the Egg into the Serpent, the mana investment is considerable. There are instances where other creatures with lower mana costs might bring similar or greater value to the battlefield more efficiently, making the Egg to Serpent transformation a less attractive option in certain situations.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Biolume Egg’s ability to compete as an early game blocker makes it adaptable to various deck types. Once transformed into the Biolume Serpent, it becomes a formidable threat applicable in control strategies or midrange decks.
Combo Potential: This card’s transformation mechanic opens up synergies within Simic or mutate decks, as the Egg can evolve into a high-powered Serpent. This also synergizes with effects that care about creatures entering the battlefield or being sacrificed.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence and flexible responses are key, the Egg // Serpent duo offer relevant solutions. With an environment filled with removals, having a resilient creature that provides value in both its forms can be distinctly advantageous.
How to beat
Biolume Egg and its evolved counterpart, Biolume Serpent, bring a unique transformation dynamic to the MTG battlefield. The Egg, a seemingly innocuous creature, can become a formidable threat once it morphs into the Serpent. To ensure this transformation doesn’t tip the scales against you, strategic removal is essential. Playing removal spells before the Egg hatches cuts the threat at its source. Cards like Naturalize are perfect for cracking the Egg before the Serpent sees the light of day.
Even if the Serpent emerges, having counterspells or bounce effects ready can mitigate the menace. A well-timed Unsummon effect can return the Serpent to the opponent’s hand, effectively resetting their progress and forcing them to reinvest mana to replay it. Countermagic such as Essence Scatter denies the Egg’s transformation outright, thwarting your opponent’s plans. It’s all about timing and resource management, ensuring that the Egg’s potential never comes to fruition or the Serpent’s presence on the board is but a temporary slip in your controlled game environment.
In summary, with proper removal, counterspells, and bounce techniques, you can prevent the Biolume duo from ever becoming a significant threat, keeping your chances of victory high in every match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent 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 Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 49 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Filip Burburan | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 316 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Filip Burburan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | If a permanent that isn't a double-faced card becomes a copy of Biolume Egg and then is sacrificed, that card can't be returned to the battlefield transformed. It will remain in the graveyard. |
| 2021-11-19 | You can't sacrifice Biolume Egg unless another effect allows you to. |
| 2021-11-19 | You may sacrifice any two lands with the subtype Island to activate Biolume Serpent's ability, even if they aren't basic or aren't named Island. |