Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 49
2022-01-28 - Number 316
2021-11-19 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Serpent |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Sacrifice two Islands: Biolume Serpent can't be blocked this turn.
...knowing their hatchlings are more fearsome than anything else that might come along.
Cards like Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent
Biolume Serpent slides into the Magic: The Gathering arena as a new sea creature to be reckoned with. It’s akin to other serpent creatures such as Serpent of Yawning Depths, which also offers a large body and a game-impacting ability. What makes Biolume Serpent intriguing is its focus on graveyard interaction; as you delve into your graveyard, you can potentially reduce its casting cost, making it a more dynamic play later in the game. Contrast this with Serpent of Yawning Depths which, while providing an entirely different benefit – making creatures you control unblockable except by Serpents – doesn’t interact with the graveyard.
Looking across the seas, we also encounter Whelming Wave, a card that can function as a reset button by sweeping away all creatures except for Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and, notably, Serpents. While Biolume Serpent does not offer such board control, its potential for cost reduction can be a strategic asset. Another comparable card is Lorthos, the Tidemaker, known for its commanding octopus presence on the battlefield and the ability to dictate combat engagements, much like the battlefield influence that Biolume Serpent can exert if cast for less mana.
Assessing the ecosystem of serpent and sea creature cards within MTG, Biolume Serpent offers an advantageous blend of graveyard synergy and potential for reduced mana cost, making it a compelling choice for deck builders interested in leveraging their graveyard for big aquatic plays.
Cards similar to Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Biolume Serpent can become unblockable for a turn, ensuring that you can connect with the opponent and trigger various draw effects or combat-related synergies which can lead to card advantage over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Biolume Serpent itself does not directly facilitate resource acceleration, its presence can influence strategic board states where controlling four or more Islands enables cost reduction, effectively serving as a catalyst for playing other sea creatures or spells in a mono-blue or island-focused deck.
Instant Speed: While the serpent does not possess instant speed itself, it benefits greatly from being in an environment that includes instant-speed spells. Its ability to become unblockable until end of turn can be activated at instant speed, allowing you to wait until the most opportune moment to ensure its connectivity with your opponent’s life total, synergizing well with a control-based strategy that operates on instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Biolume Serpent requires discarding two cards to unlock its full potential. This poses a strategic risk, diminishing your hand and potentially costing valuable resources in long-drawn games.
Specific Mana Cost: Designed with a blue mana-heavy cost, it necessitates a significant commitment to that color. This limits deck diversity and can be tricky to accommodate in multicolored decks not heavily skewed towards blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its six mana cost to summon, the Biolume Serpent enters the battlefield at a point where opponents may already have established a solid defense or control. Other creatures and spells at this cost could have an immediate impact or stronger abilities, offering more value for the mana spent.
Reasons to Include Biolume Serpent in Your Collection
Versatility: Biolume Serpent is not bound by specific deck themes and can easily adapt to various blue-centric strategies. Its natural affinity with water and island cards makes it a comfortable fit for players looking to capitalize on those elements.
Combo Potential: As a creature with the ability to be unblockable under the right conditions, Biolume Serpent works well with cards that revolve around direct damage or player life total manipulation, opening up avenues for creative and potentially game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where less emphasis is placed on board presence and more on direct strategy execution, Biolume Serpent shines by bypassing blockers, making it relevant in a meta that might overlook the importance of engaging directly with an opponent’s life points.
How to beat
The Biolume Serpent is an intriguing creature card with an evasive ability that can act as a potent closer in some Magic: The Gathering games. To tackle this sea monster effectively, one must consider its attributes and the environment it thrives in. Removal spells are key. Instant-speed options such as Path to Exile offer a straightforward solution to exile the serpent before it can make a significant impact on the game. With counter spells like Mana Leak, you can tackle Biolume Serpent preemptively while it’s still on the stack, provided the necessary mana is maintained.
Board wipes prove to be equally efficient in dealing with multiple threats, including this serpent, by resetting the playing field. Especially important are spells that can bypass Biolume Serpent’s potential hexproof granted through its activated ability. Board wipes like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God become critical as they don’t target and can clear the serpent away irrespective of its protective ability. Tools for graveyard manipulation, such as Scavenging Ooze, are prudent to employ, limiting the serpent’s return if an opponent is utilizing graveyard synergies to replay the creature.
In essence, the key to beating Biolume Serpent lies in preparedness and timing, utilizing a mix of removal, counter magic, and board wipes to ensure this sea creature doesn’t slip through the defenses.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Crimson Vow Art Series, 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
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Biolume Egg // Biolume Serpent Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 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 | Crimson Vow Art Series | AVOW | 20 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Filip Burburan | ||
| 3 | 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. |