Serpent Warrior MTG Card
1997-05-01 - Number 109
1998-03-02 - Number 69
1999-07-01 - Number 88
2001-04-11 - Number 162★
2001-04-11 - Number 162
2003-07-28 - Number 161★
2003-07-28 - Number 161
2005-07-29 - Number 162★
2005-07-29 - Number 162
2015-05-06 - Number 117
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Snake Warrior |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Serpent Warrior comes into play from your hand, you lose 3 life. (The person who plays Serpent Warrior loses the life.)
Cards like Serpent Warrior
In the realm of creature cards within MTG, Serpent Warrior stands as a classic example of a black creature with a straightforward yet significant life pay ability upon entering the battlefield. Comparable cards often have similar sacrifice-for-gain themes. A close relative is the card Vampire Lacerator, which, like Serpent Warrior, is an aggressive early-game creature carrying a downside – it causes life loss to its controller if the opponent has a relatively high life total.
Another analog is Carnophage, which similarly requires a life payment to stay in combat. However, unlike the one-time entrance cost of Serpent Warrior, Carnophage’s demand is upkeep-based, providing a recurring decision point each turn. This continuous life drain can quickly add up, making it a card that requires more strategic planning within a match.
Evaluating these creatures side by side, Serpent Warrior provides an uncomplicated option for player willing to trade life for a sizeable body early in the game. While it might not have the continued pressure of Carnophage or the conditional nature of Vampire Lacerator, its simple and direct impact makes it a staple proposition for certain MTG black deck strategies.
Cards similar to Serpent Warrior by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Serpent Warrior may not directly offer card draw, but it serves as a self-replacing body when dealing with board wipes or during late-game topdeck scenarios. Having a creature that can trade with an opponent’s and not cost card disadvantage is a subtle, yet valuable trait.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to mana acceleration, Serpent Warrior’s conventional mana cost makes it a reliable play in the earlier turns. Its solid stats for mana investment can help preserve life totals and provide a deterrent against early aggression.
Instant Speed: Although Serpent Warrior is a creature that must be cast at sorcery speed, its relevance lies in how it interacts with cards that can be played at instant speed. Being a cost-effective creature, it allows players to keep mana open for instant speed interactions on the opponent’s turn, without having to forgo a board presence.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Serpent Warrior comes with a noteworthy setback as playing it demands the sacrifice of another card from hand. This can place you at a disadvantage, particularly in tight scenarios where each card holds critical value.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature’s casting requires not just three units of mana but also insists on one being black. This specificity can hinder deck flexibility, making it a less versatile pick for multicolor strategies that may not prioritize black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Investing three mana might seem reasonable, but within the realm of creatures, this cost is on the heftier side considering what Serpent Warrior brings to the battlefield. There are other cards at or below this cost threshold that could provide you with a stronger board presence or additional abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Serpent Warrior offers a straightforward gameplay suitable for black-themed decks, particularly those seeking early board presence and efficient creature trades.
Combo Potential: With its enter-the-battlefield life loss ability, Serpent Warrior works well in decks focusing on life manipulation strategies or those that capitalize on death triggers.
Meta-Relevance: As the meta fluctuates, a card like Serpent Warrior can be a useful sideboard choice against aggressive decks needing to stabilize the board during the early stages of the game.
How to beat
Understanding your opponents’ creatures is paramount in any MTG game, and when it comes to Serpent Warrior, a smart approach can neutralize its impact on the battlefield. With a casting cost of three mana and a life payment when it enters the battlefield, Serpent Warrior is a straightforward but potentially troublesome card if allowed to persist.
Control is the name of the game here. Cards like Pacifism can effectively neutralize Serpent Warrior without having to deal with its life loss trigger upon entry. Another efficient method is to remove it from play entirely; spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can dispatch it quickly and prevent any further hassle. Taking advantage of its entry cost, you could also use bounce spells like Unsummon to repeatedly force your opponent to lose life if they recast it.
Overall, while Serpent Warrior can be a thorn in your side, numerous strategies in your arsenal can ensure it remains a manageable threat. Keeping tempo up, deploying timely removal, or employing clever tricks, can assure that this card doesn’t slither out of control during your duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Serpent Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Portal and Stronghold, 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 Warrior 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 Serpent Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1997-05-01 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-05-01 | Portal | POR | 109 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Roger Raupp | |
| 2 | 1998-03-02 | Stronghold | STH | 69 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 3 | 1999-07-01 | Starter 1999 | S99 | 88 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
| 4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 162★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Eric Peterson | |
| 5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 162 | 1997 | Normal | White | Eric Peterson | |
| 6 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 161★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 7 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 161 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
| 8 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 162★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 9 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 162 | 2003 | Normal | White | Ron Spencer | |
| 10 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 117 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Serpent Warrior has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Serpent Warrior card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You can cast this if you have less than 3 life, since the life is lost as an effect and not a payment. |