Wasteland Viper MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Snake
Abilities Bloodrush,Deathtouch
Power 1
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Deathtouch ability provides distinct card advantage by removing larger threats on the field.
  2. Its low mana cost accelerates resource allocation, making it a strategic early play.
  3. Bloodrush ability grants instant speed flexibility, enhancing combat surprise tactics.

Text of card

Deathtouch Bloodrush — , Discard Wasteland Viper: Target attacking creature gets +1/+2 and gains deathtouch until end of turn.

"The Gruul embrace all things poisonous and living in the cracks of society." —Teysa Karlov, Grand Envoy of Orzhov


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Wasteland Viper might not let you draw cards directly, its utility as a creature can lead to card advantage on the battlefield. Its deathtouch ability means that it can take out much larger creatures, potentially removing big threats one-for-one and keeping your hand full of other resources.

Resource Acceleration: This nimble snake may not produce mana or treasure, but its one green mana cost aids in resource acceleration by allowing you to establish board presence early in the game. Efficiently costed, it leaves mana open for other spells or abilities you might want to cast or activate during your turn.

Instant Speed: Thanks to its bloodrush ability, Wasteland Viper offers flexibility at instant speed without even needing to take up a slot on the battlefield. You can hold it back as a combat trick, using it to give another attacking or blocking creature deathtouch at a crucial moment, potentially swinging combat in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Wasteland Viper doesn’t require a card discard, its bloodrush ability does ask you to lose the creature in hand, cutting down on your potential board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This sneaky Viper costs one green mana, making it an exclusive choice for green or green-centric decks, potentially excluding a broad spectrum of MTG players who run multi-colored or different-hued decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although not absurdly high, the requirement of one green mana for a 1/2 creature might not provide the board impact competitive players seek when other creatures at similar cost offer higher stats or more impactful abilities.


Reasons to Include Wasteland Viper in Your Collection

Versatility: Wasteland Viper provides a flexible role, acting as both an early blocker with its deathtouch ability and as a combat trick via bloodrush to surprise an opponent during battle.

Combo Potential: This snake can synergize with cards that benefit from creatures dying or having a creature enter the battlefield with a potent ability, enhancing your strategic depth significantly.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive creature strategies are dominant, Wasteland Viper can serve as an excellent deterrent, slowing down the pace of the game to your advantage.


How to Beat Wasteland Viper

Wasteland Viper makes for a formidable foe on the battlefield with its deathtouch ability, allowing it to destroy any creature it deals damage to regardless of the creature’s toughness. This sneaky serpent is not just a threat in combat but also through its bloodrush ability, which can unexpectedly turn any blocker or attacker into a deadly challenge for an opponent’s creature.

Overcoming the threat of Wasteland Viper relies on strategic removal or evasion. Considering its limited toughness, direct removal spells are highly effective; a Shock or Lightning Bolt can take it out with ease. Creatures with flying or protection from green can bypass the Viper entirely, preventing it from blocking or being blocked. And let’s not forget enchantments or abilities that prevent creatures from activating their abilities, which can neutralize the bloodrush feature and leave the way clear for a safe attack. Be vigilant about the viper lurking in the hand, as bloodrush can be activated from there, and always have a plan for direct removal or defensive measures that render its abilities null and void.

Ultimately, while Wasteland Viper poses a multifaceted threat, a balanced strategy that includes creature control and removal options can efficiently neutralize this slithering danger in your MTG matchups.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the nuances of MTG gameplay is a journey every card enthusiast relishes. With insightful analysis of Wasteland Viper’s pros and cons and awareness of its strategic placement in your deck, you’re well on your way to optimizing your game. The versatility and combo potential of this creature offer unique advantages in the right environment. If you’re eager to sharpen your skills, expand your card knowledge, and construct a deck that keeps opponents on their toes, continue enhancing your collection with thoughtfully chosen cards. Let us guide you deeper into the strategies and card choices that define winning decks. Learn more and elevate your MTG experience with us.


Cards like Wasteland Viper

Wasteland Viper offers a unique mix of utility and aggression for players exploring the creature space in Magic: The Gathering. A card like Ambush Viper shares the Flash ability, allowing it to surprise opponents as a blocker or end-of-turn play. However, what makes Wasteland Viper stand out is its Bloodrush ability, which can turn any creature into a potent attacker and deathtouch agent.

Comparative to Sedge Scorpion, Wasteland Viper offers the added flexibility of Bloodrush on top of being a deathtouch creature. Sedge Scorpion lacks this secondary function but remains an efficient one-mana deathtouch creature, posing a reliable threat to powerful attackers. Another similar card is Gnarlwood Dryad, which besides deathtouch, has the potential to gain Delirium, growing stronger with more card types in your graveyard, though it forfeits the Bloodrush strategy inherent to Wasteland Viper.

In essence, Wasteland Viper’s ability to act as both a creature and a combat trick gives players a strategic edge, diversifying its use beyond what most deathtouch creatures can offer in a game of Magic: The Gathering. Its versatility makes it a considerable option for decks that benefit from multifunctional cards.

Ambush Viper - MTG Card versions
Sedge Scorpion - MTG Card versions
Gnarlwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Ambush Viper - Innistrad (ISD)
Sedge Scorpion - Theros (THS)
Gnarlwood Dryad - Eldritch Moon (EMN)

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Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
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Taunting Elf - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Llanowar Elite - Invasion (INV)
Scavenger Folk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Willow Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wasteland Viper MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Wasteland Viper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wasteland Viper Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Lucas Graciano.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 1392003normalblackLucas Graciano
22019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 852015normalblackLucas Graciano
32024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1602015normalblackLucas Graciano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wasteland Viper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

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