Serpent of Yawning Depths MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 6 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Enchantment Creature — Serpent |
Released | 2020-01-24 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Theros Beyond Death |
Set code | THB |
Power | 6 |
Toughness | 6 |
Number | 291 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Tomasz Jedruszek |
Text of card
Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents you control can't be blocked except by Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents.
"Gleams like moonlight on water drew us through the storm and toward our doom." —Siona, captain of the *Pyleas*
Cards like Serpent of Yawning Depths
Within the deep realms of Magic: The Gathering, Serpent of Yawning Depths makes waves for its unique ability to let creatures you control with Islandwalk or without flying to be unblockable. This cross-format all-star has peers such as Archetype of Imagination, which directly grants creatures you control flying and makes opposing flyers lose that ability. While Archetype of Imagination impacts the board by modifying creature abilities, the Serpent is a more specialized tool that benefits sea-themed decks, specifically.
Questing Beast is another card that offers a variation of unblockability, preventing creatures with power 2 or less from blocking it. Though it doesn’t grant this trait to other creatures, it’s versatile and aggressive on its own. Meanwhile, Thassa, God of the Sea, stands in the same oceanic domain. Thassa grants a single creature unblockability each turn, which provides tactical flexibility, unlike the overarching cover that the Serpent offers to all applicable creatures.
Assessing their abilities and roles within the broader context of Magic: The Gathering, Serpent of Yawning Depths offers a tactical advantage in specialized decks, setting itself apart by enabling a formidable offense that can be difficult for opponents to counteract when the seas align in your favor.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Serpent of Yawning Depths ensures that your sea creatures become virtually unblockable, maintaining card advantage by shielding your key creatures from enemy blockades as they smoothly sail through to deal damage.
Resource Acceleration: As your sea monsters navigate the battlefield unhindered, this often translates to a quicker victory, effectively accelerating the game’s resource dynamics in your favor as the pressure mounts on your opponent.
Instant Speed: While Serpent of Yawning Depths doesn’t operate at instant speed, its passive ability has an immediate impact on the board, shifting the tide as soon as it dives into play and allowing for potent follow-ups that can capitalize on the newly created openings.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite the power that the Serpent of Yawning Depths brings to the table, one of the downsides for players is its absence of a discard requirement. This lack of extra cost flexibility can backfire in scenarios where players may benefit from card discard mechanics, such as triggering madness or graveyard-based strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: Geared towards decks that capitalize on sea creatures, the Serpent demands a specific mana cost, requiring both blue and green mana. This dual mana requirement can pose a challenge for multicolored decks, potentially limiting its playability only to those decks that can comfortably generate both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Serpent of Yawning Depths has a relatively high mana cost which stands at six mana, including a mix of generic and colored requirements. For decks that favor quicker tempo, this mana cost can be a significant drawback, potentially leaving players vulnerable while they amass enough resources to summon this mythic creature.
Reasons to Include Serpent of Yawning Depths in Your Collection
Versatility: Serpent of Yawning Depths works seamlessly in blue-based sea creature decks and any strategy looking to exploit the powers of the deep. Its ability to render your sea creatures unblockable makes it a game-changer on board, providing you with consistent attack routes.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that capitalize on big sea monsters. Unleash Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents without fear of being blocked. Combine it with cards that benefit from successful combat damage for a winning synergy.
Meta-Relevance: As creature-based strategies persist in various formats, Serpent of Yawning Depths grants you an edge by making a significant portion of your creatures untouchable in combat. It’s an excellent tool against decks that rely heavily on creature blocking as a defensive mechanism.
How to Beat
The Serpent of Yawning Depths is an intriguing creature card in MTG that alters the battlefield dramatically. Its primary ability makes creatures your opponents control unable to block most sea creatures. Though powerful, there are ways to navigate past this leviathan’s dominance. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation effectively clear the Serpent away without the need for blocking. Additionally, spot removal spells—Path to Exile, Assassin’s Trophy, or Rapid Hybridization—can also remove the Serpent before its effect becomes a game-changing nuisance.
Another strategy against the Serpent is to focus on non-combat win conditions, which sidesteps the need to beat it in combat altogether. Cards that change creature types, like Amoeboid Changeling or Runed Stalactite, can temporarily turn your creatures into a form that can block sea creatures, buying you crucial time. Lastly, cards that can counter creature spells, such as Mana Leak or Counterspell, prevent the Serpent from ever hitting the field and mitigate the threat preemptively.
While the Serpent of Yawning Depths demands an answer, with strategic planning and a well-curated deck, overcoming this massive sea creature is entirely within the capability of seasoned players.
BurnMana Recommendations
The allure of Serpent of Yawning Depths extends beyond its mythic status in MTG. As you build your deck with an eye for those crushing sea monster plays, remember the power of making your creatures unblockable. A wise strategy involves anticipating the Serpent’s mana requirements and leveraging its synergy with other sea creatures. If you’re not exploring the depths yet, the tide may be right for a deep dive into this sea creature dynamic. Expand your collection’s might—immerse yourself in our comprehensive insights and perspectives to master the waves and stay ahead in your MTG quests.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Serpent of Yawning Depths MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Serpent of Yawning Depths 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Serpent of Yawning Depths has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |