Rock Basilisk MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Basilisk |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 279 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ian Miller |
Key Takeaways
- Rock Basilisk offers significant board control, potentially destroying multiple opponent creatures in combat.
- While enhancing strategies, its specific mana requirements pose a challenge in multicolor decks.
- It shines in metagames with aggressive creatures, deterring attacks and promoting slower play.
Text of card
Whenever Rock Basilisk blocks or is blocked by a non-Wall creature, destroy that creature at end of combat.
In the eastern reaches of Jamuraa are arrangements of massive stones. No one knows their origins—for certain.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Rock Basilisk comes equipped with an ability that can potentially remove multiple creatures from your opponent’s board without losing card quantity from your hand. This means each encounter with the basilisk can tip the scales in your favor as you whittle down your opponent’s army.
Resource Acceleration: Preeminent in decks that capitalize on death triggers, the Rock Basilisk can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration. This happens as the menacing reptile forces your opponent to block, potentially triggering landfall or other abilities that can ramp up your mana pool for a devastating late game.
Instant Speed: Though the Rock Basilisk itself does not operate at instant speed, its presence on the battlefield influences your opponent’s instant speed decisions. Knowing the Basilisk could destroy multiple threats may deter an adversary from casting spells or attacking unless they can deal with it, thereby impacting the pace and strategy of the game in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Rock Basilisk necessitates parting with a card in your hand to initiate its ability. This can be especially problematic when you’re struggling to maintain card advantage or when every card in hand is crucial to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: With a distinct mana combination necessary to cast Rock Basilisk, it can prove challenging to integrate into multicolor decks. Players must carefully manage their mana resources to ensure they can meet the casting requirements when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment to bring Rock Basilisk onto the battlefield is substantial considering its power level. There are alternative creatures available that can be summoned for less and may offer more immediate or impactful effects on the game state.
Reasons to Include Rock Basilisk in Your Collection
Versatility: Rock Basilisk offers players a unique defensive option that can deter opponents from attacking. Its ability to destroy any creature it blocks or gets blocked by adds a strategic layer to gameplay, making it a fit for decks that focus on board control.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy with effects that force opponents to attack each turn, potentially clearing the board of opposing threats. It could serve as a linchpin in decks that revolve around controlling the battlefield, turning forced combat scenarios into advantages.
Meta-Relevance: Given its nature to essentially take down any attacker, Rock Basilisk could be especially useful in a meta dominated by aggressive creatures. It serves as a hard-hitting deterrent that can shift the balance in favor of slower, more strategic play styles.
How to beat
Encountering a Rock Basilisk on the battlefield can be a daunting challenge for many players. This formidable creature comes with a unique ability that destroys any creature that blocks it, presenting a strategic conundrum. To turn the tides in your favor, the key is to avoid direct combat with the Basilisk wherever possible. Using removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile can efficiently handle the Basilisk without getting entangled in its lethal ability.
Another effective strategy is to employ evasion tactics. Cards providing flying or unblockable abilities allow you to sidestep the Basilisk’s threat and press on with your offensive or defensive game plan. Also, taking advantage of cards that can tap the Basilisk and keep it from attacking or being able to block can neutralize its presence on the board.
Lastly, spells that do not target the creature indirectly undermine its abilities. A well-placed Wrath of God or Damnation clears the board with no regard for individual creatures’ abilities, removing the Basilisk along with all other threats. Adapting your strategy to include these types of solutions can ensure you maintain upper hand in the game.
Cards like Rock Basilisk
Exploring the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the Rock Basilisk presents an intriguing defensive mechanic. It bears a resemblance to cards like Thicket Basilisk with its ability to compel any creature that blocks it to be destroyed at the end of combat. This characteristic completely changes the dynamics of combat, compelling opponents to think twice before engaging in battles.
Another analogous card is Lure, which forces all opposing creatures to block the enchanted creature if able, allowing for strategic board wipes when combined with the basilisk’s lethal ability. However, Lure falls short as it must be combined with such a creature to mirror the Rock Basilisk’s natural combat influence.
Engulfing Slagwurm also shares a similar effect, as it not only destroys any creature that blocks it but also allows its controller to gain life equal to that creature’s toughness, adding a layer of utility and resilience to your battlefield presence.
While each of these cards brings a certain tactical angle to the table, the Rock Basilisk stands out for its inherent ability to dictate combat terms, which, when optimally positioned, can act as a sturdy bulwark, deterring enemy attacks with its stalwart presence in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Rock Basilisk by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Rock Basilisk MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Rock Basilisk and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Rock Basilisk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |