Basandra, Battle Seraph MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Angel
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Basandra can shift combat dynamics, leading to indirect card advantage and tactical gains.
  2. Forcing opponents to act prematurely, Basandra’s abilities disrupt traditional gameplay, offering resource efficiency.
  3. While not directly increasing speed, her impact during combat phases can curb opponent strategies effectively.

Text of card

Flying Players can't cast spells during combat. : Target creature attacks this turn if able.

"Why listen to the mumblings of wizards when the lash speaks true?"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Basandra, Battle Seraph doesn’t directly offer card draw but it influences the battlefield dynamics in a way that can lead to card advantage. By restricting when your opponents can cast spells during combat, Basandra can force unfavorable actions or make your strategic moves, like removals and buffs, more impactful. Controlling the flow of combat can be just as decisive as drawing more cards.

Resource Acceleration: While Basandra doesn’t accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, she is able to tip the scales of resource allocation heavily in your favor. Her ability can lead to opponents spending their mana and resources prematurely, effectively giving you a pacing advantage in the battle for board dominance. This can manifest as a form of indirect acceleration as your resources are used more efficiently.

Instant Speed: Basandra, Battle Seraph operates mostly at sorcery speed due to her abilities affecting combat. However, her influence on instant timing for your opponents can be critical. By controlling the phase in which they can play instants, you dramatically shift the usual pace and strategy of the game, forcing opponents to adapt to your combat-focused environment, which can often put them at a disadvantage.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Basandra Battle Seraph requires a specific combination of mana colors including red and white, which can restrict deck building options and may not fit in all Commander decks or multi-color strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three mana that must be red or white, this angel is somewhat costly. This can be a setback in fast-paced games where lower-cost creatures can be played earlier and begin impacting the board right away.

Discard Requirement: While Basandra doesn’t have a discard requirement herself, she synergizes with cards that do, which can be a detriment if you’re holding valuable cards you’d rather not lose. Additionally, her ability to prevent players from casting spells during combat can backfire if you’re unable to take advantage of her ability due to a lack of cards in your hand.


Reasons to Include Basandra Battle Seraph in Your Collection

Versatility: Basandra Battle Seraph’s ability to control combat phases makes it a flexible addition, able to adapt to different table dynamics and force opponents into unfavorable attacks or blocks.

Combo Potential: With Basandra’s unique rules enforcement on spell casting, she sets the stage for various combos, especially in decks that thrive on combat tricks or wish to seal the deal in the battle phase without worrying about instant-speed surprises.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where players rely heavily on instant-speed interaction to tip the scales in combat, Basandra Battle Seraph shines by denying those plays during combat, allowing for more predictable and controlled engagements on the battlefield.


How to Beat Basandra, Battle Seraph

Basandra, Battle Seraph presents a unique challenge with its ability to compel creatures to attack each turn if able. To turn the tables against this formidable card, strategy and selection of removal spells are key. Cards like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile are efficient means to exile Basandra before the combat phase initiates, nullifying its directive.

Ensnaring spells that prevent creatures from attacking, such as Pacifism or Arrest, can also incapacitate Basandra without removing it from the battlefield. This can be particularly useful as Basandra’s ability prevents players from casting spells during combat, so timing your removal or suppression spells before attackers are declared is vital.

Lastly, leveraging cards that penalize opponents for attacking, such as Ghostly Prison or Propaganda, can be extremely effective. With such cards in play, opponents must pay mana for each attacking creature, potentially restricting the number of attackers and diminishing Basandra’s influence. By assessing the battlefield, prioritizing threats, and utilizing the right spells at the opportune moment, one can mitigate Basandra’s impact and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Basandra, Battle Seraph offers a unique blend of combat control and strategic advantage in MTG. Her distinctive ability to shape the battlefield can turn the tide of any match, making her a valuable asset to players who enjoy dictating the pace of combat. If you appreciate a playstyle that capitalizes on calculated aggression and timing control, enhancing your deck with Basandra could be a game-changer. Her potential synergies with various strategies are vast, and mastering her use can lead to rewarding gameplay experiences. For those intrigued by this combat-controlling angel, we encourage you to delve deeper into her strategic uses and deck-building possibilities on BurnMana, where you can optimize your gameplay and explore the full extent of Basandra’s battlefield influence.


Cards like Basandra, Battle Seraph

Basandra, Battle Seraph offers a unique strategic angle within the realm of red and white creatures in Magic: The Gathering. When delving into comparisons, cards like Gisela, Blade of Goldnight spring to mind. Both creatures limit combat tricks, but Gisela offers a damage-doubling effect as opposed to Basandra’s player targeting restriction during combat. This puts Basandra in a niche role, influencing combat without outright dictating it as Gisela does.

Another card that resonates with Basandra’s battle influence is Aurelia, the Warleader. While Aurelia provides an additional combat phase, crucial in finishing games, Basandra exerts control by preventing spells in combat. This control aspect sets her apart, providing a consistent disruption that can be pivotal during combat phases. Furthermore, comparing Basandra to Master Warcraft, a card that controls the entirety of combat but as a one-time spell, Basandra’s continuous effect during your turns offers recurring strategic advantage.

Evaluating these similar cards highlights Basandra, Battle Seraph’s ongoing tactical benefit in combat scenarios for MTG players looking to dictate the flow of battles while presenting a formidable aerial threat on the board.

Gisela, Blade of Goldnight - MTG Card versions
Aurelia, the Warleader - MTG Card versions
Master Warcraft - MTG Card versions
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight - Open the Helvault (PHEL)
Aurelia, the Warleader - Gatecrash (GTC)
Master Warcraft - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Basandra, Battle Seraph by color, type and mana cost

Hofri Ghostforge - MTG Card versions
Agrus Kos, Wojek Veteran - MTG Card versions
Nobilis of War - MTG Card versions
Kranioceros - MTG Card versions
Balefire Liege - MTG Card versions
Towering Thunderfist - MTG Card versions
Fortress Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Blaze Commando - MTG Card versions
Angelic Captain - MTG Card versions
Anya, Merciless Angel - MTG Card versions
Archangel Avacyn // Avacyn, the Purifier - MTG Card versions
Adriana, Captain of the Guard - MTG Card versions
Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer - MTG Card versions
Sun-Blessed Mount - MTG Card versions
Tiana, Ship's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Quintorius, Field Historian - MTG Card versions
Relic Sloth - MTG Card versions
Adult Gold Dragon - MTG Card versions
Asari Captain - MTG Card versions
Commander Liara Portyr - MTG Card versions
Hofri Ghostforge - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Agrus Kos, Wojek Veteran - GRN Guild Kit (GK1)
Nobilis of War - Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters (DDL)
Kranioceros - Conflux (CON)
Balefire Liege - Double Masters 2022 (2X2)
Towering Thunderfist - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
Fortress Cyclops - Gatecrash (GTC)
Blaze Commando - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Angelic Captain - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Anya, Merciless Angel - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Archangel Avacyn // Avacyn, the Purifier - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
Adriana, Captain of the Guard - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer - Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander (ONC)
Sun-Blessed Mount - Ixalan (XLN)
Tiana, Ship's Caretaker - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Quintorius, Field Historian - Strixhaven: School of Mages (STX)
Relic Sloth - Strixhaven: School of Mages (STX)
Adult Gold Dragon - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Asari Captain - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Commander Liara Portyr - Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate (CLB)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Basandra, Battle Seraph MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 Launch Party and Commander 2011, 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 Basandra, Battle Seraph and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Basandra, Battle Seraph Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2017-06-09. Illustrated by Terese Nielsen.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-06-17Commander 2011 Launch PartyPCMD 1842003normalblackTerese Nielsen
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1842003normalblackTerese Nielsen
32014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1842003normalblackTerese Nielsen
42014-06-16Vintage MastersVMA 2442015normalblackTerese Nielsen
52017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 1742015normalblackTerese Nielsen

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-09-22 If, during a player’s declare attackers step, a creature is tapped, is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, or hasn’t been under that player’s control continuously since the turn began (and doesn’t have haste), 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.
2011-09-22 Players may still activate abilities during combat.
2011-09-22 While Basandra, Battle Seraph is on the battlefield, players can’t cast any spells during the combat phase, including permanent spells with flash.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks