Serendib Efreet MTG Card
1993-12-17 - Number 20
1994-04-01 - Number 79
1994-04-01 - Number 79
1994-06-21 - Number 79
2007-09-10 - Number 50
2009-08-28 - Number 11
2014-06-16 - Number 93
2016-06-10 - Number 70
2019-11-07 - Number 484
2020-07-17 - Number 175
2002-06-24 - Number 217
2020-09-26 - Number EMA-70
| Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Efreet |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Serendib Efreet does 1 damage to you during your upkeep.
Cards like Serendib Efreet
Serendib Efreet stands as a classic creature within the vast pantheon of Magic: The Gathering. This iconic card from the early sets shares similarities with other flying creatures, such as Mahamoti Djinn, which also boasts considerable power and toughness. However, Serendib Efreet carves its niche with a slightly lower casting cost and the infamous upkeep cost, which chips away at the player’s life total. It’s this blend of power and risk that makes the Efreet a compelling choice for deck builders focusing on efficiency and aggression.
Moving towards more modern equivalents, we see Aven Wind Mage from the more recent sets, thriving in a similar slot as a flying creature. While Aven Wind Mage may not pack the same power level, its prowess ability gives it a scalable boost during the course of a game, every time an instant or sorcery is played. Additionally, it comes without the life loss downside, presenting a safer but potentially less impactful alternative to the players.
Considering the balance between advantages and drawbacks, Serendib Efreet has a secured status. It’s that delicate balance that makes it a notable and sometimes preferred choice for players valuing high-impact flying creatures in their MTG arsenal.
Cards similar to Serendib Efreet by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Serendib Efreet. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Blue Prison | Legacy | 93 / The 93rd Legacy at Home |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Serendib Efreet’s competitive casting cost alongside its formidable flying presence means you often get more value per card compared to other creatures in the same mana range. It’s a steady pressure that can quickly tip the scales in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to resource acceleration, the low cost and high impact of Serendib Efreet allow for a more efficient use of your mana resources, enabling you to deploy other threats or answers concurrently.
Instant Speed: Although Serendib Efreet operates at sorcery speed, its presence forces opponents to act instantaneously. They must deal with it promptly or suffer consistent damage, which indirectly benefits your strategy by consuming their instant-speed resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Serendib Efreet doesn’t directly require discarding cards, its downside comes in the form of a mandatory life point deduction during your upkeep. This continuous life loss can be a significant detriment in games where maintaining a high life total is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Serendib Efreet needs a precise combination of mana to be played—two blue and one of any color. This specific requirement can make it less flexible for decks that operate on a varied mana base or those that cannot consistently provide the necessary blue mana early in the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Serendib Efreet may appear competitive. However, taking into account its upkeep cost over several turns, the cumulative resource expense can outweigh the benefits when compared with other creatures in the same mana range that don’t carry such a drawback.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Serendib Efreet offers a powerful blend of aggressive stats and cost-efficiency, making it a suitable fit for various blue-based decks. Its flying ability ensures it can be a formidable threat in both offensive and defensive positions.
Combo Potential: This card has been known to synergize well with strategies that emphasize on life total manipulation or damage redirection. It’s a key component in decks that capitalize on its drawback to trigger beneficial effects or simply as a resilient evasive creature in a tempo strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where aerial control can be a deciding factor, Serendib Efreet’s consistent pressure aligns well with formats that favor quick and impactful plays. Its historical significance and resilience to common removal spells make it a respectable choice in various metagames that appreciate classic efficiency.
How to beat
Serendib Efreet stands out in MTG due to its cost-efficient stats as a 3/4 flying creature for only three mana. However, like any card, it has its vulnerabilities. Its edge revolves largely around its evasion and ability to pressure opponents early in the game. To counter Serendib Efreet effectively, consider utilizing removal spells that bypass its flying trait. Spells such as Doom Blade, Go for the Throat, or Path to Exile can dispatch Serendib Efreet regardless of its evasive abilities.
Moreover, since Serendib Efreet deals one damage to its controller during their upkeep, one can exploit this drawback with cards that prolong the game, allowing its detrimental effect to accumulate. Engaging in combat might not always be the best option; thus, employing tactics that either neutralize or work around the creature can be more beneficial. Cards that prevent damage like Circle of Protection: Blue or that can outclass it in combat, like larger creatures with reach or those with deathtouch, can also serve as solid defenses against the Efreet’s attacks.
Ultimately, challenging Serendib Efreet requires understanding its strengths and turning its efficient design into a liability. Control and patience usually payoff when facing such a formidable foe on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Serendib Efreet MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Revised Edition, 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 Serendib Efreet 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Serendib Efreet Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 20 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 79 | 1993 | Normal | White | Jesper Myrfors | |
| 3 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 79 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 4 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 79 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 5 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 217 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | ||
| 6 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 50 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 7 | 2009-08-28 | From the Vault: Exiled | V09 | 11 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 8 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 93 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 9 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 10 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 484 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 11 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 175 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 12 | The List | PLST | EMA-70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Serendib Efreet has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |