Marsh Viper MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 81
1995-04-01 - Number 263
1995-04-01 - Number 263
1995-08-01 - Number 149
1997-03-24 - Number 315
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Snake |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
If Marsh Viper damages opponent, opponent gets two poison counters. If opponent ever has ten or more poison counters, opponent loses game.
"All we had left were their black and bloated bodies." —Maeveen O'Donagh, *Memoirs of a Soldier*
Cards like Marsh Viper
The sneaky Marsh Viper adds a twist to creature cards in MTG by introducing poison counters, a strategy that can bypass traditional life total victory conditions. Its kinship is closest to creatures like Sabertooth Cobra, which also delivers poison counters but requires mana to activate the ability. In contrast, Marsh Viper’s bite is automatic upon damage.
Stepping into the broader realm of toxin-themed creatures, the infamous Blight Mamba stands out. Though requiring an investment for its regeneration ability, Blight Mamba presents an enduring threat. Its regeneration ensures that it can survive combat, poised to inflict more poison counters on subsequent turns. On the other hand, Swamp Mosquito is another similar assault on an opponent’s integrity, sneaking in poison counters with flying, albeit a single counter without additional mana.
At its core, Marsh Viper shines by providing a straightforward means to infect opponents with poison counters, a valuable asset in MTG that can shift the dynamics of a game. These creatures all share a common venomous thread, but each presents unique strategies for the cunning tactician to deploy.
Cards similar to Marsh Viper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Marsh Viper can consistently deliver poison counters to your opponent, effectively creating a separate path to victory that doesn’t rely on regular damage, giving you an edge in longer matches.
Resource Acceleration: Though the Marsh Viper itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, its ability to apply pressure on an alternate axis can force your opponent to allocate resources elsewhere, indirectly benefiting your resource management.
Instant Speed: Features like instant speed might not be innate to the Marsh Viper, but its synergy with cards that operate at instant speed can play a critical role. Utilizing tricks and buffs at instant speed alongside the Viper can catch an opponent off guard and control the pace of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To get the most out of Marsh Viper’s poisonous ability, setup with supporting cards is often necessary. This requirement to maintain certain card types in hand can strain your resources, especially if you’re running low on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Marsh Viper’s cost includes two green mana symbols, which ties it firmly into green mana-based decks. Players using multicolor decks may find it challenging to consistently meet this requirement, potentially limiting the card’s versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two colorless and two green mana for a creature that offers an initial 1/2 body, Marsh Viper’s mana investment is considerable when compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket. This can affect the card’s overall efficiency within a fast-paced game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Marsh Viper has an easy mana cost and provides a reliable way to add poison counters to your opponent, making it a flexible inclusion in decks that exploit the infect mechanic.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to give poison counters works well with proliferate mechanisms or any strategy that aims to accumulate these counters rapidly, bringing your opponent closer to an alternate win condition.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are drawn out and creature-based strategies are prevalent, Marsh Viper’s poison counters can shift the tide in your favor without needing to deal traditional damage.
How to Beat Marsh Viper
Marsh Viper is a sneaky creature in Magic: The Gathering that can infect your game with poison counters. This two-mana cost snake introduces a lingering threat with its venomous ability to grant an opponent two poison counters when it deals combat damage. To undermine its toxic influence, you’ll need to focus on strategies that can neutralize its poisonous bite.
A solid defense is prioritizing the removal of the viper before it can strike. Utilize instant-speed removal spells or abilities that can target creatures, ensuring Marsh Viper doesn’t get the chance to wind its way through your defenses. Including cards that can block and kill the viper without taking damage, such as those with deathtouch or high toughness, reduces the risk of accumulating lethal poison counters.
In essence, preempting the Marsh Viper’s assault with swift removal or sturdy blockers is key. It’s not just about the immediate response but also reinforcing your battlefield with reliable defenses. By doing so, you’ll mitigate the venomous impact Marsh Viper could have on your health and your position in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Marsh Viper MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Fourth Edition, 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 Marsh Viper 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 Marsh Viper Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 81 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 263 | 1993 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 263 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 149 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 5 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 315 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Marsh Viper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |