Serpentine Basilisk MTG Card

The Basilisk’s deathtouch ensures it can trade efficiently with most creatures, often requiring multiple opponent resources. While mana-intensive, its ability to influence combat dynamics grants a significant upper hand in matches. Its block-triggered destroy ability sets it apart, providing unique strategic value for defensive MTG deck strategies.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Basilisk
Abilities	Morph
Released	2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set name	Onslaught
Set code	ONS
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	280
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Franz Vohwinkel

Text of card

Whenever Serpentine Basilisk deals combat damage to a creature, destroy that creature at end of combat. Morph o1o Go G (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for o3. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)

Cards like Serpentine Basilisk

The Serpentine Basilisk from Magic: The Gathering stands out in the creature card segment with its unique blend of abilities. It shares similarities with fellow creature cards such as Horned Basilisk, which also offers the potential to destroy any creature it blocks or becomes blocked by. However, Serpentine Basilisk takes it a step further with its deathtouch feature, allowing it to destroy any creature it deals damage to, regardless of the creature’s toughness – a trait Horned Basilisk lacks.

Comparisons can also be drawn to cards like Acidic Slime. While both creatures have deathtouch, Acidic Slime brings to the table an added utility by destroying an artifact, enchantment, or land upon entering the battlefield. Yet, it comes at a significantly higher mana cost. On the flip side, Gifted Aetherborn is another deathtouch creature, offering not just the lethal touch but lifelink as well, thereby furnishing players with health gain in addition to its creature-controlling prowess. It comes at a lower converted mana cost compared to Serpentine Basilisk, making it a tempting alternative for players who value an aggressive early game.

In summary, while the Serpentine Basilisk has peers in the realm of deathtouch creatures, its particular advantage rests in its block-triggered destroy ability, positioning it as a card of choice for those strategizing around defensive control and selective creature elimination.

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: In the dynamic landscape of a Magic battle, the Serpentine Basilisk can be a subtle engine for card advantage. Its lethal combination of deathtouch and a solid body ensures that it can trade with almost any creature on the battlefield, often demanding multiple resources from an opponent to handle it.

Resource Acceleration: While the Serpentine Basilisk itself doesn’t create mana, its presence can dictate the tempo of the game, often allowing you to be more efficient with your resources. Its elimination of key threats paves the way for your other resource-accelerating cards to take effect without opposition.

Instant Speed: The versatility of the Serpentine Basilisk is further highlighted when considering combat tricks or abilities that can be activated at instant speed. Although the Basilisk operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the board creates a situation where opponents must consider the possibility of instant-speed interaction whenever it’s active, keeping them on their toes and potentially misallocating their own instants and mana.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Serpentine Basilisk necessitates that you discard a card to activate its abilities. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is already running thin on valuable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that demands one green mana, it’s restricted to decks that run green or a mana base adept at producing multiple colors, potentially narrowing its application.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The overall cost to get this creature onto the battlefield is somewhat steep when measured against other creatures with similar abilities. Savvy players often seek more efficiently costed creatures to optimize their gameplay.

Reasons to Include Serpentine Basilisk in Your Collection

Versatility: Serpentine Basilisk is a unique creature card that can adapt to a number of green-focused strategies. Its deathtouch ability makes it a formidable defender, deterring more powerful creatures from attacking. Furthermore, its ability to cause a creature to become blocked can often be a game-changer, giving it a place in decks that appreciate tactical control over combat.

Combo Potential: In decks that focus on creature abilities, Serpentine Basilisk’s ability to lock down a potential blocker or attacker can synergize with cards that capitalize on combat tricks or require safe passage for your own attackers. This reptile can be a key piece in combos that aim to manipulate the battlefield to your advantage.

Meta-Relevance: Given that MTG’s meta often sways towards creature-heavy decks, having a Serpentine Basilisk can edge out opponents by neutralizing the threat of their more powerful creatures. In a meta where combat interactions are crucial, the Basilisk shines by turning the tide in your favor, making it a worthy addition to your collection.

How to beat

The Serpentine Basilisk holds a unique place in Magic: The Gathering as a creature with deathtouch, making it a significant threat on the board. Unlike other creatures that merely block or attack, this basilisk can eliminate any creature it touches, regardless of size. It’s an intimidating ability that requires strategic planning to overcome.

To effectively counter this reptilian menace, removal spells are a player’s best friend. Direct damage spells or those that can exile creatures bypass the basilisk’s lethal touch. Cards like Shock, Path to Exile, or even broader board wipes such as Wrath of God can take care of the creature without the need for combat. In the realm of creatures, employing flyers or ranged attackers can outmaneuver the basilisk’s ground-based threat.

Another approach is to use creature abilities like first strike or employ enchantments that neutralize the basilisk’s abilities. The key is to avoid direct combat unless the battle can be skewed heavily in your favor. So while the Serpentine Basilisk can be a menacing presence, with the right tactics and resources, it can be effectively managed, ensuring your creatures live to fight another turn.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Serpentine Basilisk MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Serpentine Basilisk and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Serpentine Basilisk has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal