Lowland Basilisk MTG Card
1998-03-02 - Number 109
2015-05-06 - Number 178
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Basilisk |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever Lowland Basilisk damages any creature, destroy that creature at end of combat.
Unlike their cousins, Rathi basilisks turn their victims into puddles of flowstone.
Cards like Lowland Basilisk
The Lowland Basilisk from Magic: The Gathering reminds players of the value of deathtouch in creature cards. Its ability can be paralleled with that of Typhoid Rats, another deathtouch creature, but at a lower cost of one mana. While Typhoid Rats is more mana-efficient for early play, Lowland Basilisk stands out with its higher toughness providing slightly greater board stability.
Comparatively, Thicket Basilisk offers a similar combat trick with its ability to destroy any non-wall creature it blocks or becomes blocked by. However, it’s important to note that Thicket Basilisk has a higher mana cost, which could affect its playability in faster, more aggressive decks. Additionally, Giant Scorpion provides an alternative as a low-cost creature that not only has deathtouch but also lifelink, granting the player an added benefit of gaining life upon damaging players or creatures, though it comes with a lower toughness than Lowland Basilisk.
Overall, in the realm of small creatures with deathtouch, Lowland Basilisk holds its ground as a decent midrange option. It forces opponents to carefully consider their attacks and blocks, thereby influencing the battlefield in subtle yet impactful ways.
Cards similar to Lowland Basilisk by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The key attribute of Lowland Basilisk is its ability to neutralize multiple threats from opponents. Its presence on the battlefield can force unfavorable trades for opponents, essentially granting you a form of card advantage as your adversaries may need to commit more resources to deal with it.
Resource Acceleration: Although Lowland Basilisk doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its potential to remain on the field can indirectly lead to a more stable mana base. By deterring attacks and promoting defense, it allows you to concentrate on land development and other mana resources without worrying as much about incoming threats.
Instant Speed: While Lowland Basilisk itself isn’t an instant, its threat of deathtouch can impact the game at a pace similar to instant speed effects. Opponents must consider the Basilisk’s deathtouch during every combat phase, effectively giving you a reactive presence even when it’s not your turn, and altering the tempo of the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Lowland Basilisk necessitates players to part with another card to activate specific abilities. This can stifle your hand, especially when you are trying to maintain card advantage over your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring dedicated green mana, Lowland Basilisk can’t easily slot into multicolored decks that may run tighter mana bases or have less access to green sources, making it less versatile in deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its ability to destroy any creature it blocks or becomes blocked by can be useful, its casting cost might be deemed steep, considering its stats and when comparing to other creatures in the same mana range that can offer immediate board impact or additional abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lowland Basilisk offers a defensive edge in many green deck builds, deterring attackers while remaining a thorn in the side for your opponents’ creatures.
Combo Potential: Its deathtouch-like ability pairs well with cards that can force your opponents to block, setting up board wipes and advantageous creature trades that can swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Against creature-heavy decks that dominate certain metas, the Lowland Basilisk can be a cost-effective solution to maintain board control and stave off aggressive strategies.
How to beat
The Lowland Basilisk stands out in MTG due to its seldom-seen “death touch” ability, which destroys any creature it damages, regardless of the creature’s toughness. To counter this slippery reptile, savvy players often employ tactics like using creatures with first strike to defeat the Basilisk before it can deal damage. Another strategy is to remove it without engaging in combat, utilizing spells that can bypass its treacherous ability such as “Doom Blade” or “Path to Exile.”
Additionally, defensive measures can be effective. Enchantments like “Pacifism” prevent the Basilisk from attacking, thus neutralizing its menacing presence on the battlefield. Players may also include creatures with the “indestructible” attribute in their deck, negating the Basilisk’s lethal touch. Altering battle math with combat tricks or using high-toughness blockers could potentially outmaneuver this creature as well.
Ultimately, facing a Lowland Basilisk requires keeping a cool head and utilizing your deck’s control elements. Through strategic planning and careful play, you can mitigate the threat posed by this deadly MTG card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lowland Basilisk MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold and Tempest Remastered, 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 Lowland Basilisk and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Lowland Basilisk Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-03-02 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 109 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 178 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lowland Basilisk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lowland Basilisk 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 | If a creature leaves the battlefield before the end of combat, then the Lowland Basilisk effect on it will end. |
| 2004-10-04 | If it damages a creature outside of combat, its effect will destroy the creature at the end of the next combat. |