Scalding Viper // Steam Clean MTG Card

Offers card draw and efficient creature elimination with potential hand advantage through its second ability. Instant speed enables strategic reaction and surprise element enhancing in-game tactical flexibility. Demands specific red and green mana, which could limit deck building and in-game options.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeSorcery — Adventure

Text of card

Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. (Then exile this card. You may cast the creature later from exile.)

Cards like Scalding Viper // Steam Clean

Scalding Viper brings a unique tactical advantage to creature cards in MTG. With its ability to deal damage to both creatures and players, this card reminds us of cards such as Prodigal Pyromancer. However, Scalding Viper has the added versatility of being a creature itself, allowing it to be a presence on the battlefield beyond its ability.

When considering alternatives, Cunning Sparkmage comes to mind. This card also has the potential to ping creatures or players for damage, but it lacks the same potential for immediate impact that Scalding Viper possesses with its capability to attack on the same turn it’s played. Then we have Steam Clean. As a spell card, it can remove counters from up to two target permanents. This is a more situational utility than the direct damage Scalding Viper offers, limiting its versatility in certain game scenarios.

Overall, when peering through the lineup of similar abilities across other cards, Scalding Viper demonstrates a dual threat as both an attacker and a source of direct damage, placing it in a distinctive position for players who want to control the board and pressure the opponent concurrently.

Prodigal Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Cunning Sparkmage - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Cunning Sparkmage - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scalding Viper // Steam Clean provides players with the ability to disrupt their opponent’s board while potentially drawing a card with its second ability, bolstering your hand and putting you ahead in the game.

Resource Acceleration: With its efficient cost to power ratio, Scalding Viper makes it easy to deploy threats early on, while Steam Clean can help manage the battlefield, keeping the way clear for faster, more decisive plays.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Steam Clean allows for reactive plays during the opponent’s turn, offering strategic flexibility and the element of surprise, which can be pivotal to gaining the upper hand in a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of using Scalding Viper // Steam Clean is the necessity to forfeit another card from your hand to activate its ability. In the middle of an intense match, when your hand is dwindling, this can be a significant setback, potentially costing you valuable momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana composition that might not always align with your deck’s strategy. The requirement for both red and green mana can be restrictive, limiting the card’s versatility and your ability to react to different game states on the fly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Moreover, the card’s effectiveness is diminished because of its relatively steep mana cost. Other options in your deck might efficiently perform similar functions or offer greater value on the battlefield for the same or lower investment, making Scalding Viper // Steam Clean a less appealing choice in fast-paced games where efficiency is paramount.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scalding Viper // Steam Clean offers the flexibility of a two-in-one card, giving players the choice of a creature for early board presence or removal for later threats.

Combo Potential: Scalding Viper’s deathtouch adds value by partnering with cards that permit multiple combat phases, whereas Steam Clean could potentially clear the way for a decisive attack.

Meta-Relevance: With a format that favors creature-heavy matchups, having an early blocker like Scalding Viper or a way to wipe artifacts and enchantments with Steam Clean ensures you stay competitive.

How to beat Scalding Viper // Steam Clean

Scalding Viper // Steam Clean offers an interesting dynamic in gameplay, challenging players to adapt strategies. Scalding Viper, typifying a quick creature with deathtouch can deter attackers and serve as a formidable blocker. Meanwhile, Steam Clean can unexpectedly eliminate tokens or creatures with its unique damage spread. Overcoming this card requires smart play and timely spells.

Key to thwarting Scalding Viper lies in using creatures with first strike or abilities that neutralize deathtouch. Engaging in combat with such creatures can effortlessly dispose of the viper. Efficient removal spells are also ideal, allowing you to handle it before it becomes a thorn in your side.

Dealing with Steam Clean demands a different approach. Avoid overextending by populating the board with numerous low-toughness creatures. Utilize spells that grant indestructibility or regeneration to preserve your board state. Since Steam Clean targets, hexproof or shroud can offer protection against this card. Adsorbing its impact by maintaining a diverse range of creature toughness in your build ensures resilience against this half of the dual card.

In sum, knowing the card’s strengths and limitations provides a clear path for any seasoned player to navigate a game against Scalding Viper // Steam Clean effectively.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scalding Viper // Steam Clean MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Promos and Wilds of Eldraine Promos, 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 Scalding Viper // Steam Clean and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Scalding Viper // Steam Clean Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine PromosPWOE 235p2015AdventureBlackAndrew Mar
22023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine PromosPWOE 235s2015AdventureBlackAndrew Mar
32023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 2352015AdventureBlackAndrew Mar
42023-09-08Wilds of EldraineWOE 2952015AdventureBlackOmar Rayyan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scalding Viper // Steam Clean has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Scalding Viper // Steam Clean card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-09-01 An adventurer card is a permanent card in every zone except the stack, as well as while on the stack if not cast as an Adventure. Ignore its alternative characteristics in those cases. For example, while it's in your graveyard, Questing Druid is a green creature card whose mana value is 2. It can't be the target of Tenacious Tomeseeker's triggered ability ("return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand").
2023-09-01 An effect may refer to a card, spell, or permanent that "has an Adventure." This refers to a card, spell, or permanent that has an adventurer card's set of alternative characteristics, even if they're not being used and even if that card was never cast as an Adventure.
2023-09-01 Casting a card as an Adventure isn't casting it for an alternative cost. Effects that allow you to cast a spell for an alternative cost or without paying its mana cost may allow you to apply those to the Adventure.
2023-09-01 If a spell has in its mana cost, use the value chosen for X to determine the mana value of that spell.
2023-09-01 If a spell is cast as an Adventure, its controller exiles it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard as it resolves. For as long as it remains exiled, that player may cast it as a permanent spell. If an Adventure spell leaves the stack in any way other than resolving (most likely by being countered or by failing to resolve because its targets have all become illegal), that card won't be exiled and the spell's controller won't be able to cast it as a permanent later.
2023-09-01 If an adventurer card ends up in exile for any other reason than by exiling itself while resolving, it won't give you permission to cast it as a permanent spell.
2023-09-01 If an effect copies an Adventure spell, that copy is exiled as it resolves. It ceases to exist as a state-based action; it's not possible to cast the copy as a permanent.
2023-09-01 If an effect instructs you to choose a card name, you may choose the alternative Adventure name. Consider only the alternative characteristics to determine whether that is an appropriate name to choose.
2023-09-01 If an effect refers to a card, spell, or permanent that has an Adventure, it won't find an instant or sorcery spell on the stack that's been cast as an Adventure.
2023-09-01 If an object becomes a copy of an object that has an Adventure, the copy also has an Adventure. If it changes zones, it will either cease to exist (if it's a token) or cease to be a copy (if it's a nontoken permanent), and so you won't be able to cast it as an Adventure.
2023-09-01 If you cast an adventurer card as an Adventure, use only its alternative characteristics to determine whether it's legal to cast that spell. For example, if you control Johann, Apprentice Sorcerer ("Once each turn, you may cast an instant or sorcery spell from the top of your library.") and Questing Druid is on top of your library, you can cast Seek the Beast, but not Questing Druid.
2023-09-01 When casting a spell as an Adventure, use the alternative characteristics and ignore all of the card's normal characteristics. The spell's color, mana cost, mana value, and so on are determined by only those alternative characteristics. If the spell leaves the stack, it immediately resumes using its normal characteristics.
2023-09-01 You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions for the permanent spell you cast from exile. Normally, you'll be able to cast it only during your main phase while the stack is empty.