Coils of the Medusa MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 1997-06-09 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Weatherlight |
| Set code | WTH |
| Number | 65 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Darbury Stenderu |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gets +1/-1. Sacrifice Coils of the Medusa: Destroy all non-Wall creatures blocking enchanted creature.
Serpentine locks shape ornate rocks.
Cards like Coils of the Medusa
Coils of the Medusa offers a fresh twist to creature enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. It holds similarities to traditional pacifism effects witnessed in cards like Pacifism itself, which prevents the enchanted creature from attacking or blocking. Coils of the Medusa takes this concept farther by not only nullifying the creature’s combat abilities but also turning it into a defender, effectively creating a roadblock against your opponent.
In the same realm, Claustrophobia is another enchantment that hampers creatures, immobilizing them by tapping and not allowing them to untap during their controller’s untap step. While less versatile than Coils of the Medusa, its ability to permanently keep a creature out of combat is noteworthy. Encrust is yet another enchantment that disables a creature, though it extends its grip, also countering abilities activated by the targeted creature, which can interrupt your opponent’s strategy even outside the combat phase.
Exploring the card’s strategic depth reveals that Coils of the Medusa serves not just as a means to neutralize threats, but also to leverage them as tactical obstructions. This duality carries a certain finesse, positioning Coils of the Medusa as a viable utility in control decks for dampening your opponent’s offensive capabilities.
Cards similar to Coils of the Medusa by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unveiling Coils of the Medusa in your deck grants the ability to disrupt your opponent’s board while simultaneously drawing you into more opportunities. Its design is tailored to pave the way for you to outmaneuver adversaries by replenishing your hand, ensuring you never lose momentum.
Resource Acceleration: This potent card facilitates an advantage by potentially removing blockers or threats from the field, which can accelerate your game plan. By simplifying the battlefield, you enable your own creatures and strategies to advance unimpeded, potentially leading to a faster victory.
Instant Speed: The intrinsic value of being able to cast Coils of the Medusa at instant speed cannot be overstated. This flexibility allows savvy players to make pivotal decisions during the heat of battle, adapting to threats as they arise and ensuring that each move is as efficient as possible.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When using Coils of the Medusa, one drawback is the necessity to discard a card. This can be quite taxing, especially in stages of the game where each card in your hand is vital for maintaining momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is particularly niche, requiring both black and green mana. This can complicate deck building since it requires a commitment to both colors to be used effectively, potentially limiting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Coils of the Medusa commands a considerable mana investment. There are other options in the game that might achieve similar or better effects without having to spend quite as much mana, potentially making this card a less desirable choice for players looking to optimize their deck’s performance.
Reasons to Include Coils of the Medusa in Your Collection
Versatility: Coils of the Medusa serves multiple roles within deck builds. Capable of hindering opponents’ strategies while fortifying your own board state, it’s a dynamic card that adapts to various game scenarios.
Combo Potential: The card can act as an enabler in decks that leverage creatures’ abilities or those that capitalize on artifact synergies. Its ability to affect the board can set up powerful turns for savvy players.
Meta-Relevance: Given a meta that weights heavily on creature-based tactics, Coils of the Medusa could disrupt numerous common plays. Its capability to impact the battlefield makes it a worthy consideration for a well-tuned sideboard or even a main deck slot.
How to beat
Coils of the Medusa is an enchantment card that can send shivers down the spine of many MTG players. It presents a unique challenge, as it can petrify an opponent’s creatures, effectively turning them to stone mid-battle. To outmaneuver this card’s paralyzing effect, it’s essential to have a sound strategy. Removal spells that can specifically target enchantments are key in dismantling this obstacle. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize become valuable tools, allowing you to swiftly remove Coils of the Medusa from the battlefield and free your creatures from its stony grasp.
Additionally, counterplay can involve preemptive measures such as the inclusion of hexproof or shroud abilities within your deck. Creatures equipped with these protective traits are invulnerable to Coils of the Medusa’s effect, ensuring that your offensive line remains untouched. It’s also advisable to keep instant-speed removal or protection spells at the ready, to respond to the enchantment upon its casting successfully.
Understanding the meta and preparing your deck with these strategic elements increases your resilience against Coils of the Medusa, allowing you to sustain momentum and hold your ground in the face of potential petrification.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Coils of the Medusa MTG card by a specific set like Weatherlight, 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 Coils of the Medusa 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Coils of the Medusa has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |