Ohran Viper MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ohran Viper shines when it comes to drawing cards. With its ability to draw a card every time it deals combat damage to a player, it reliably builds up your hand, providing a steady stream of options as the game progresses. This can be a game-changer, often tipping the scales in your favor as you outdraw your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While the Ohran Viper itself doesn’t directly produce additional mana or tokens, its presence can lead to resource acceleration in a different sense. Successful combat damage not only draws cards but can also disrupt your opponent’s board, slowing them down and effectively accelerating your position in the game.

Instant Speed: Although Ohran Viper is a creature and not cast at instant speed, its deathtouch ability makes it a formidable defender that opponents must consider when attacking. This passive control allows you to keep mana available for spells that are instant speed, playing those at the most opportune moments without having to commit to a board presence too early.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Ohran Viper doesn’t have a discard mechanic itself, in decks where card retention is crucial, Ohran Viper may not fit well if there’s a need to discard for other spells or effects.

Specific Mana Cost: Ohran Viper’s casting cost requires one colorless and two green mana, which makes it most suitable for mono-green or green-heavy decks, potentially limiting its versatility in multicolored deck formats.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, some players may find Ohran Viper a bit costly considering other creatures at a similar mana cost may offer additional abilities or higher power and toughness.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ohran Viper is a multifaceted card that enhances various deck builds. Its ability to draw a card when it deals damage to a player fits well in decks focused on card advantage. Additionally, this card can discourage opponents from blocking, as its deathtouch ability ensures it can take down any blocker, regardless of size.

Combo Potential: Paired with cards that grant it unblockable or extra combat phases, Ohran Viper’s potential multiplies. It can become a recurring source of card draw or a reliable creature eliminator, further bolstering strategies that capitalize on death triggers or card recursion.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to impact the board immediately, Ohran Viper holds its ground in a variety of meta environments. In creature-heavy metas, its deathtouch is a significant deterrent, while in slower, more control-oriented games, the extra card draw can provide the advantage needed to outpace an opponent.

How to Beat

Ohran Viper presents a unique challenge in Magic The Gathering with its combination of card drawing and deathtouch abilities. The key to overcoming this creature lies in its strength; it draws a card for its controller when it deals damage to a player. Consequently, eliminating it without combat is the best strategy. Removal spells that don’t involve dealing damage, such as “Path to Exile” or “Fatal Push,” sidestep its card-drawing threat by dispatching it cleanly.

Alternatively, blockers with indestructible or protection from green attributes can neutralize the card advantage Ohran Viper offers, as they remain unaffected by deathtouch. Edict effects that force a player to sacrifice a creature can also handle the Viper efficiently by leaving the choice of which creature to sacrifice to its controller. Preventing it from engaging in combat nullifies the risk of your opponent drawing extra cards and maintains the equilibrium of the game.

In essence, dealing with Ohran Viper requires tactical consideration. By employing non-damage-based removal or leveraging creatures that are impervious to its deathtouch, you can mitigate its advantage and keep the battlefield in your favor.

BurnMana Recommendations

Ohran Viper stands as a unique addition to any Magic The Gathering deck, striking a balanced mile between threat and advantage. With its card drawing mechanic triggered by combat damage, it offers a stream of benefits that can consistently bolster your hand and your strategic depth. While it may require specific deck builds to truly shine, its inherent capabilities can deter opponents and lead to resource acceleration in ways not immediately apparent. For those seeking to refine their green-based decks or explore new synergistic combinations, Ohran Viper is a card worth considering. Discover more about optimizing your deck with cards like Ohran Viper and ensuring each match brings you one step closer to victory.