Rite of the Serpent MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 86y
2014-09-26 - Number 86
2019-11-07 - Number 757
2020-09-26 - Number KTK-86
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroy target creature. If that creature had a +1/+1 counter on it, create a 1/1 green Snake creature token.
Cards like Rite of the Serpent
Rite of the Serpent is an intriguing black removal card in Magic: The Gathering that allows players to destroy a target creature. Its nearest rival in the removal category might be Murder, a straightforward spell that does the job with no frills attached for three mana. Although Rite of the Serpent comes with a higher cost, it brings an upside by offering a card, in the form of a Snake token, provided the destroyed creature had a power of four or greater.
Another card worth mentioning is Lethal Sting, which demands a -1/-1 counter be placed on a creature you control as the cost for removal. Though the casting cost is lower, it requires a sacrifice of sorts. Then there’s Doom Blade, a popular choice among players due to its low cost and instant speed, although it has the significant limitation of not being able to target black creatures.
Overall, while Rite of the Serpent may not be the most mana-efficient removal spell, its potential to offset its own cost with a token and lack of color restrictions ensures its consideration in decks looking for versatile removal options.
Cards similar to Rite of the Serpent by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rite of the Serpent offers the advantage of not only removing a threat but also potentially granting you a card draw if the destroyed creature had a +1/+1 counter. This dual action works well in maintaining or expanding your card advantage over the opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct resource accelerator, eliminating a key creature from your opponent’s board can disrupt their resource accumulation. This, in turn, may accelerate your position in the game by setting your opponent back while you continue to develop your board unimpeded.
Instant Speed: While Rite of the Serpent does not have instant speed, it compensates by dealing with creatures that threaten to overwhelm you during your turn, and it provides a strategic pivot point, especially when timed right after your opponent has invested in buffing their creature.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rite of the Serpent asks you to sacrifice a creature when it’s cast. This requirement can be particularly taxing in decks that rely on maintaining a board presence or cannot easily spare creatures as fodder.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires two black mana as part of its casting cost. This specific need can potentially restrict its integration in multicolored decks or in strategies that do not have a heavy black mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six total mana, including the aforementioned two black mana, Rite of the Serpent has a substantial casting cost. This makes it less appealing when compared to lower-cost removal options that could be played much sooner, especially in faster-paced games where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Rite of the Serpent is a flexible removal option for any black deck looking to handle problematic creatures. Its ability to destroy a creature regardless of its power or toughness makes it a useful card in various situations.
Combo Potential: This spell not only removes threats but also allows you to delve deeper into your library. When you destroy a creature with it and have four or more creature cards in your graveyard, you put a 1/1 black Snake creature token onto the battlefield, possibly fueling graveyard synergies or token strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In games where the battlefield can become cluttered with high value targets, having a reliable removal like Rite of the Serpent can be crucial. Particularly in limited formats or slower paced games, it can shift the tide by dealing with key threats and providing board presence.
How to beat
Rite of the Serpent is another intriguing addition to the suite of removal spells in Magic: The Gathering. Noted for its capacity to destroy a creature and potentially draw a card if you have an enchantment, Rite of the Serpent adds a tactical layer to gameplay. However, its relatively high cost can make it less potent against swifter decks that aim to win before you have the necessary mana to cast it.
To outmaneuver Rite of the Serpent, it’s advisable to maintain an aggressive early game. Deploying low-cost creatures can help overwhelm your opponent before they gather enough mana to use their removal spell. Additionally, playing cards that protect your creatures from being targeted or that can regenerate them is also a strategic response. Consider enchantments that provide hexproof or indestructible attributes to safeguard your key creatures from such targeted removal.
Ultimately, while Rite of the Serpent can sway the game by removing a high-threat creature and potentially drawing a card, its higher mana cost and the conditional card draw are factors to capitalize on. By understanding your opponent’s strategy and proactively curating your deck to confront removal spells, you can effectively minimize the impact of Rite of the Serpent on your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rite of the Serpent MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Khans of Tarkir, 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 Rite of the Serpent 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
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Printings
The Rite of the Serpent Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 86y | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Fang | |
| 2 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 86 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 757 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | KTK-86 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Seb McKinnon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rite of the Serpent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Rite of the Serpent card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-09-20 | If Rite of the Serpent resolves but the creature isn’t destroyed (perhaps because it has indestructible or it regenerated), you’ll get a Snake token if the creature has a +1/+1 counter on it. |
| 2014-09-20 | If the creature is an illegal target as Rite of the Serpent tries to resolve, Rite of the Serpent won’t resolve and none of its effects will occur. You won’t get a Snake token. |
| 2014-09-20 | Rite of the Serpent won’t create more than one Snake token, even if the target creature had more than one +1/+1 counter on it. |
| 2014-09-20 | You get the Snake token no matter who controlled the target creature. |