Deathgaze Cockatrice MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Cockatrice
Abilities	Deathtouch,Flying
Released	2013-07-19
Set symbol
Set name	Magic 2014
Set code	M14
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	94
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kev Walker

Key Takeaways

Deathgaze Cockatrice is a strategic play with its flying and deathtouch abilities, offering significant battlefield control.
Demands careful mana balancing in decks, potentially limiting its use in diverse color strategies.
Though not the cheapest, its mix of abilities makes it a versatile choice worth considering in your collection.

Text of card

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

"Sometimes I come across a stone finger or foot and I know I'm in cockatrice territory." —Rulak, bog guide

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Deathgaze Cockatrice enables strategic trades on the battlefield, often requiring multiple opponents’ cards to deal with it effectively, thus potentially leading to advantageous card parity scenarios.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting resource acceleration, its moderate mana cost aligns well with efficient deck curves, preserving momentum in the mid-game stages.

Instant Speed: With its inherent ability of flying and deathtouch, it can be a formidable surprise blocker during combat, deterring attacks and influencing opponents’ strategies instantaneously.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Deathgaze Cockatrice card doesn’t have a discard requirement inherently, it often necessitates additional cards for protection due to its lower toughness, effectively thinning your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and green mana can potentially restrict the inclusion of Deathgaze Cockatrice in multi-colored decks. Balancing the mana base to accommodate it alongside other mana-intensive cards can be a strategic challenge.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at four mana for a 2/2 flyer with deathtouch, this cost might seem steep, especially when compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket which may offer higher power or additional abilities. The mana could be allocated towards creatures or spells that provide a greater impact on the game state.

Reasons to Include Deathgaze Cockatrice in Your Collection

Versatility: This card’s flying ability allows it to effortlessly glide over ground-based defenses, making it a reliable damage dealer in many match-ups. Additionally, its deathtouch ability ensures it can trade with virtually any creature it battles, providing strategic removal options within a range of deck formats.

Combo Potential: Deathgaze Cockatrice synergizes well with cards that exploit deathtouch, such as those that grant it multiple blockers or allow it to fight other creatures, maximizing its potential to control the board.

Meta-Relevance: As creature-based strategies are a constant in most metas, having a persistent threat that demands an answer can be a game-changer. Deathgaze Cockatrice offers just that, with a power/toughness balance that survives common damage-based removal, making it a card worth considering when tailoring your deck to current trends.

How to beat

When facing down a Deathgaze Cockatrice in MTG, understanding its abilities is key to navigating around this menacing flyer. This card possesses deathtouch, meaning any creature it touches in combat will be destroyed, making direct confrontation risky. Furthermore, its flying ability allows it to soar over ground creatures unchecked. However, its power lies in its combat skills, and it’s less effective against control strategies.

To counter Deathgaze Cockatrice, consider utilizing removal spells which don’t require your creatures to engage in battle. Spells like Doom Blade or Murder can dispatch it before it becomes a threat. Alternatively, cards with reach, or those that can remove flying abilities, such as Plummet, can level the playing field. Adjustments to your gameplay, like avoiding unnecessary combat or using creatures with indestructible or high toughness, can also mitigate its impact.

Taking these strategies into account can help you neutralize Deathgaze Cockatrice without sacrificing your creatures in the process. It reinforces the importance of a balanced deck with a variety of responses to manage potential threats effectively.

Cards like Deathgaze Cockatrice

The Deathgaze Cockatrice stands out in the world of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. When we consider cards within its milieu, we see a kinship with ominous fliers like Baleful Strix. The usability of Deathgaze Cockatrice lies in its capable combination of flying and deathtouch, usually reserved for cards with a higher mana cost. Comparatively, Baleful Strix provides card draw upon entering the battlefield but shares the same valuable deathtouch ability.

Another relative in this category is Vampire Nighthawk, a card that not only includes flying and deathtouch but also lifelink, providing its owner with additional sustainability in a match. While costing one additional black mana than the Deathgaze Cockatrice, Vampire Nighthawk offers more functionalities. Lastly, we have Typhoid Rats, a ground-based creature card boasting only deathtouch. It’s a smaller and less versatile option but comes with a lower mana cost, making it accessible earlier in the game.

Overall, evaluating the Deathgaze Cockatrice against its counterparts helps discern its competitive edge: a balanced mix of offensive and defensive capabilities. It provides a strategic advantage, remaining a solid option for players who value tactical flexibility coupled with potential board control.

Cards similar to Deathgaze Cockatrice by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Deathgaze Cockatrice MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014, 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 Deathgaze Cockatrice and other MTG cards: