Cockatrice MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 14 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Cockatrice |
Abilities | Flying |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Any non-wall creature blocking Cockatrice is destroyed, as is any creature blocked by Cockatrice. Creatures destroyed in this way deal their damage before dying.
Cards like Cockatrice
The Cockatrice card brings a distinct presence to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to Thornweald Archer, as both creatures have the deathtouch ability, meaning they can destroy any creature they deal damage to, regardless of the creature’s toughness. However, Cockatrice offers the flying ability, granting it a significant tactical advantage by being able to evade many ground-based creatures.
Another card that echoes the abilities of Cockatrice is Basilisk Collar. This equipment gives any equipped creature deathtouch and lifelink, providing not just killing power but also a way to gain life. While Basilisk Collar requires an additional creature and mana investment to be effective, Cockatrice comes as a ready-to-use package. Then there’s also Vampire Nighthawk, a card with deathtouch, flying, and lifelink. It provides immediate impact as both offense and defense, though it lacks the raw power of Cockatrice’s higher toughness.
Considering these comparisons, Cockatrice carves its niche as a flying defender with lethal consequences for attackers. Players manifest strategy through its inclusion, showcasing the balance it provides between offensive potential and defensive stability.
Cards similar to Cockatrice by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Cockatrice card brings a tactical edge to the battlefield, as it forces your opponent to carefully consider their attacks. Knowing that blocking with Cockatrice causes the destruction of the attacking creature, even if it’s indestructible, truly puts the decision-making power in your hands, potentially leading to a dominant board position.
Resource Acceleration: Although Cockatrice itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its mere presence can serve as a deterrent, protecting your other creatures and your life points. This can indirectly save resources over time, as there’s less need to expend cards on defense when Cockatrice is on guard.
Instant Speed: While Cockatrice is a creature card and not an instant, its effect on combat is similar to that of instant speed removal, catching opponents off-guard when they fail to remember its deathtouch-like ability. This feature allows you to play more flexibly, keeping your opponents guessing and making them hesitant to engage in combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Cockatrice card requires a strategic approach, given it necessitates the discardure of another card. This can be particularly problematic when your hand is nearly depleted, turning a potential advantage into a setback as you struggle to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting the Cockatrice means committing to a specific color combination in your mana pool. Its unique mana cost restricts deck-building options, as it is less flexible and could potentially be difficult to play in multi-colored decks that don’t focus on green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: A closer look at the Cockatrice reveals a lofty mana requirement for its capabilities, potentially hindering your game tempo. In MTG, where efficiency is key, there might be alternative creatures or spells that provide a better cost-to-effect ratio, enabling you to optimize your turns and maintain momentum.
Reasons to Include Cockatrice in Your Collection
Versatility: Cockatrice is a unique creature that can slide into various decks, providing both offensive and defensive utility. Its ability to destroy any creature it damages grants it a form of control over the battlefield.
Combo Potential: With the ability to create advantageous board states, this card works well in combos that leverage creature death, such as those that benefit from “Death Triggers” or “Mortal Combat” victory conditions.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Cockatrice can serve as a powerful deterrent, threatening to remove key opposing creatures and shape the course of the game in your favor.
How to beat
The Cockatrice card poses an interesting challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to destroy any creature it blocks or becomes blocked by, it forces opponents to reconsider their attack and defense strategies. One effective method to counter this winged beast is to utilize removal spells. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can handle the Cockatrice before it becomes a threat on the board. Additionally, spells that deal damage without entering combat, such as Lightning Bolt, can take down a Cockatrice without triggering its deadly ability.
Another tactic is to play creatures with indestructible. This attribute ensures that even if they engage with the Cockatrice, they won’t be destroyed. Furthermore, flying creatures with higher power can overcome the Cockatrice in combat, bypassing its destruction effect by virtue of sheer strength. Finally, one can also turn to enchantments like Pacifism, which effectively neutralizes the creature without having to engage it directly.
When facing a Cockatrice, it is crucial to adjust your game plan and rely on non-combat based strategies or superior forces. Mitigating its menacing presence can be the key turnaround in your favor during a match.
BurnMana Recommendations
The art of building an effective MTG deck is akin to weaving a spell – every card must have a purpose and synergy. The Cockatrice card offers a blend of aggressive and defensive strategies, potentially swinging the game in your favor. However, incorporating it into your deck is not without its challenges. Understanding both the strengths and pitfalls of this formidable creature is crucial. We encourage players to look for synergies with Cockatrice’s abilities and to examine deck flexibility to accommodate its unique mana cost and playstyle. To deepen your strategic arsenal, explore other strategic card choices and gain the upper hand against your opponents, visit us and find out how to best harness the power of Cockatrice in your deck compositions.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cockatrice MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Cockatrice 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Cockatrice Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 189 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 190 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 190 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 190 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 190 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 189 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 189 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 189 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 237 | 1993 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 237 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 284 | 1997 | Normal | White | Dan Frazier | |
12 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 75 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
13 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 482 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier | |
14 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 185 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Frazier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cockatrice has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cockatrice card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2004-10-04 | The ability destroys the creature at the end of the combat, which is after all first strike and normal damage dealing is done. This means that a creature may have to regenerate twice to survive the combat, once from damage and once again at end of combat. |