Greater Basilisk MTG Card

Greater Basilisk’s presence controls the game, demanding opponents’ resources to counter it. Deathtouch gives it a versatile role in multiple deck types and combat scenarios. Overcoming the Basilisk requires smart evasion or removal strategies, like bounce spells.

Magic 2011 (M11)
2010-07-16 - Number 180

Magic 2012 (M12)
2011-07-15 - Number 179

Iconic Masters (IMA)
2017-11-17 - Number 165

Greater Basilisk - Mystery Booster (MB1)

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 1226

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number IMA-165

Card sets	Released in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Basilisk
Abilities	Deathtouch
Power	3
Toughness	5

Text of card

Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)

Bone, stone . . . both taste the same to a hungry basilisk.

Cards like Greater Basilisk

The Greater Basilisk elegantly carves its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a creature with deathtouch. In its league, we can compare the Lurking Crocodile, though without deathtouch, it comes with the incentive of islandwalk, potentially an unblockable feature against many decks. The Greater Basilisk, however, provides a surefire approach to control the battlefield, eliminating any creature it battles, regardless of the creature’s toughness or protective abilities. Both creatures have their specific environments where they shine.

Exploring further, the Deadly Recluse is another creature offering deathtouch, and brings along reach, an added utility to handle flying creatures. It stands at a lower mana cost, making it a quick defensive play early in the game. Yet, the Greater Basilisk, with its higher toughness, withstands more damage and hence, remains a persistent threat on the board. Then there’s Typhoid Rats, a one-mana wonder with deathtouch too. While it’s incredibly cost-efficient, it doesn’t match the Basilisk’s toughness or board presence.

It becomes clear that each of these creatures holds a certain strategic advantage. Though, within the bigger picture, the Greater Basilisk maintains a respected position among deathtouch creatures in MTG for its capability to deter almost any threat on the ground with its lethal touch.

Cards similar to Greater Basilisk by color, type and mana cost

Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Greater Basilisk provides a strategic edge in prolonged engagements. Keeping this creature on the board can deter opponents from attacking, as they risk losing their valuable creatures without a tradeoff. The sheer presence of Greater Basilisk often compels your adversary to exhaust resources just to remove it, tipping the card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Greater Basilisk may not offer direct resource acceleration akin to mana artifacts or treasure tokens, its stability on the battlefield can indirectly contribute to your mana development. By requiring opponents to deal with it, you’re afforded more turns and thus more land drops, fostering your capacity to play high-cost creatures and spells.

Instant Speed: The impact of Greater Basilisk is felt most in its response to opponents trying to consolidate their board presence. Though it operates at sorcery speed, its entrancing aura of danger makes each of your untapped lands a potential threat — will you cast a removal, a counter spell, or deploy another creature? This veiled instant speed threat keeps opponents guessing, making Greater Basilisk an unassuming but potent pivot of control.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Greater Basilisk’s ability set does not include a discard mechanic, however, any card that demands discarding as part of the cost or effect can lead to a deficit in hand advantage. This could be pertinent if a player’s strategy relies on maintaining a full grip of cards.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature comes with a green-specific mana cost, requiring two green mana and three of any color to cast. This can limit the card’s integration into multicolor decks where mana flexibility is key, especially in formats such as Commander where color balancing is critical.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Greater Basilisk may be outpaced by creatures with lower mana costs. Considering the pace of the game and the power level of creatures available, its mana investment could be steep when aiming for efficiency and board presence in the early to mid-game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Greater Basilisk’s ability to deathtouch makes it a solid defender and a threat to any creatures it battles. This quality allows it to slot into various deck builds, acting as a reliable form of creature control.

Combo Potential: When teamed with cards that can tap or untap creatures, or with those that grant additional attack phases, Greater Basilisk’s deathtouch becomes a recurring problem for opponents, dismantling creature-based strategies with ease.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where formidable creatures are common, the ability to consistently take down high-cost, powerful threats is invaluable. The Greater Basilisk holds its ground against many of the fierce competitors it may face in current gameplay environments.

How to beat

Confronting the Greater Basilisk in Magic: The Gathering can be quite the challenge due to its deathtouch ability, which allows it to destroy any creature it deals damage to, no matter the creature’s toughness. To effectively counter this reptilian threat, players need to employ smart strategies. One such approach is to use spells that can remove it without triggering its deathtouch, such as exile or bounce spells that send it back to its owner’s hand. Cards like Path to Exile and Unsummon are particularly useful in these situations.

Another tactic to overcome the Greater Basilisk involves using flying creatures that can evade its reach. Since the Greater Basilisk lacks reach or flying, creatures that soar above the battlefield can attack without fear of its lethal touch. Additionally, it’s beneficial to manage your battlefield presence wisely. Avoid unnecessary combat with the basilisk unless you’re sure you can take it out without significant losses. Cards with first strike also provide an advantage, as they deal damage before the basilisk can respond with its deadly touch, ensuring your creature’s survival in combat.

Lastly, fostering a game plan that limits the resources of your opponent can also reduce the chances of facing this creature. By applying pressure and forcing your opponent to make difficult decisions, the Greater Basilisk’s impact on the game can be diminished. Regardless of your chosen method, it is crucial to have a contingency plan when this tenacious reptile makes its appearance on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Greater Basilisk MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Magic 2012, 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 Greater Basilisk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Greater Basilisk Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by James Ryman.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2010-07-16	Magic 2011	M11	180	2003	Normal	Black	James Ryman
2	2011-07-15	Magic 2012	M12	179	2003	Normal	Black	James Ryman
3	2017-11-17	Iconic Masters	IMA	165	2015	Normal	Black	James Ryman
4	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	1226	2015	Normal	Black	James Ryman
5	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	IMA-165	2015	Normal	Black	James Ryman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Greater Basilisk has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal