Basal Thrull MTG Card
1994-11-01 - Number 34a
1994-11-01 - Number 34d
1994-11-01 - Number 34c
1994-11-01 - Number 34b
2007-09-10 - Number 59
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Thrull |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
oc T: Sacrifice Basal Thrull to add o Bo B to your mana pool. Play this ability as an interrupt.
Initially bred for sacrifice, the Thrulls eventually turned on their masters, the Order of the Ebon Hand, with gruesome results. —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. II*
Cards like Basal Thrull
Basil Thrull finds its niche in the realm of mana acceleration and creature sacrifice within Magic: The Gathering. It shares common ground with Blood Pet, which similarly can be sacrificed for an immediate burst of black mana. Yet, Basal Thrull offers the advantage of regenerating, making it a persisting presence on the battlefield, unlike the single-use Blood Pet.
Another comparison is to Soldevi Adnate, which can also be used for mana generation. Soldevi Adnate boasts the ability to sacrifice other creatures for mana equal to the sacrificed creature’s casting cost, providing potentially more mana than Basal Thrull. However, the Thrull’s simpler, self-contained functionality can be advantageous in decks that value creature resilience over explosive mana gain.
Against the broader landscape of MTG creatures that tap for mana, Basal Thrull stands out for its versatility to either contribute to mana ramp or serve as a regenerable chump blocker. Its place in decks is secured by its ability to fulfill multiple roles, thereby underlining its value in certain strategies.
Cards similar to Basal Thrull by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Basal Thrull. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Reanimator | Legacy | $5K - Legacy - SCG CON Philadelphia - Sunday - 9:30 am |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Basal Thrull may not let you draw cards directly, but it acts as recurring fodder for effects that require sacrificing a creature, helping maintain card utility and board presence.
Resource Acceleration: As a mana dork for black mana, Basal Thrull offers resource acceleration by tapping for an extra {B}, aiding in casting more demanding spells ahead of curve.
Instant Speed: While Basal Thrull itself does not operate at instant speed, it synergizes with spells and abilities that do, by providing additional mana through its sacrifice at any time, even during an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside is the absence of a discard effect, which could be leveraged for strategical purposes in decks centered around card recursion or madness abilities.
Specific Mana Cost: Basal Thrull requires black mana for casting. This specific mana cost restricts it to black-inclusive decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multi-colored or colorless decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that provides mana acceleration, Basal Thrull’s two mana cost is on the higher side compared to other one-mana dorks. This can slow down your tempo, especially in formats where speed is crucial.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Basal Thrull fits snugly into any deck that thrives on mana acceleration and creature strategies. With its ability to sacrifice for black mana, it facilitates a wide array of strategies from ramping into larger threats to enabling key spells ahead of your opponents.
Combo Potential: This creature enhances decks that capitalize on sacrificing mechanics or black mana sinks. Combine it with spells that benefit from creatures entering the graveyard or use the mana it generates to fuel potent abilities or hefty costs.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where mana efficiency can make or break a game, Basal Thrull offers a reliable source of resource acceleration. It can adapt to various meta-trends, contributing to strategies that require a steady flow of black mana to outpace the competition.
How to beat Basal Thrull
Battling against Basal Thrull on the Magic: The Gathering field, players need to understand its role in resource acceleration strategies. Basal Thrull can be a persistent nuisance due to its mana-generating ability, allowing opponents to ramp up their plays earlier than usual. To counteract this, pinpoint removal spells such as Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt are effective at removing the creature before it can be utilized for a significant advantage.
Another tactic involves employing board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, which are particularly useful in clearing out multiple creatures including these pesky thrulls. Keeping the mana curve of your deck low also ensures you can deploy threats and answers quickly, thus diminishing the ramping edge Basal Thrull might provide your opponent. Additionally, graveyard disruption tools like Scavenging Ooze help suppress their potential return from the graveyard for repeated value.
In essence, staying proactive with removal or reactive with board control strategies are key methods to gain the upper hand against decks utilizing Basal Thrull. This approach ensures you maintain a balance between field presence and resource allocation—crucial aspects in overcoming decks that benefit from the thrull’s mana ramping capacity.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Basal Thrull MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, 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 Basal Thrull and other MTG cards:
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- 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 Basal Thrull Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by 4 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 34a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio | |
| 2 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 34d | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 3 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 34c | 1993 | Normal | Black | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
| 4 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 34b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Phil Foglio | |
| 5 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 59 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kaja Foglio |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Basal Thrull has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |