Shrouded Serpent MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Serpent |
| Released | 2000-06-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Prophecy |
| Set code | PCY |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 47 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dana Knutson |
Text of card
Whenever Shrouded Serpent attacks, defending player may pay o4. If he or she doesn't, Shrouded Serpent is unblockable this turn.
Many travelers have wandered into a fog only to find that it had teeth, claws, and an appetite.
Cards like Shrouded Serpent
Shrouded Serpent is an intriguing creature card within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It bears comparison to other serpent creatures such as Icefall Regent. Like the Shrouded Serpent, Icefall Regent focuses on controlling the board by tapping down potential threats. However, Icefall Regent presents an immediate effect by tapping a target creature and subsequently making it costlier for opponents to cast spells that target it, while Shrouded Serpent requires forethought, rewarding strategy that hinges on playing with a full hand.
Consider also Serpent of Yawning Depths, which shares the serpentine theme and revolves around sea creatures. Where Shrouded Serpent supports holding a full grip of cards for a benefit, Serpent of Yawning Depths enriches a wider variety of creatures, granting them unblockable against non-sea creatures. This represents a direct and formidable advantage during combat phases.
Hence, evaluating the strategic depth and adaptability of these serpent cards, Shrouded Serpent offers a unique balance of challenge and reward, making it a compelling choice for players who enjoy the intricacies of hand management and tactical play in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Shrouded Serpent by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shrouded Serpent provides subtle card advantage by encouraging strategic hand management. It can set up situations where you effectively deny your opponent options, making each card in your hand more valuable.
Resource Acceleration: As a card fostering sneaky plays, Shrouded Serpent can tap into resource acceleration by potentially freeing up mana. This mana can then be used to play additional spells or activate abilities, keeping the pressure on your opponent.
Instant Speed: The fact that Shrouded Serpent can be played at instant speed offers a plethora of strategic advantages. Holding up mana for this creature allows you to react swiftly to your opponent’s moves, thereby maintaining a tactical edge in gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shrouded Serpent necessitates the discarding of a card which can create a setback for players who are already grappling with a dwindling hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting this creature requires a fixed combination of blue mana, thereby restricting its effortless incorporation across a diverse range of decks that may not support such specificity in mana requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the higher side, Shrouded Serpent competes with other potentially more impact-oriented creatures or spells that could be activated for the same or lesser investment, potentially making it less appealing in many gameplay scenarios.
Reasons to Include Shrouded Serpent in Your Collection
Versatility: Shrouded Serpent offers a dual threat as a formidable creature to be reckoned with on the board. Its versatility shines in decks crafted around evasion and damage, or where the serpent’s innate abilities complement control strategies.
Combo Potential: This elusive creature has the combo potential to synergize with cards that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or those with effects that trigger upon dealing combat damage to a player.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where players often prepare for the most notorious threats, the Shrouded Serpent can slide through defenses and become a surprising win condition, especially in blue-centered decks that prioritize cunning and subtlety over brute force.
How to beat
Shrouded Serpent represents a unique challenge for players venturing into the depths of the Magic: The Gathering matchups. This creature card offers stealth gameplay, thanks to its elusive qualities that prevent it from being targeted unless it’s the only card on the field. It echoes the evasive aspects seen in cards like Invisible Stalker and Silhana Ledgewalker but brings its own twist with a potency that can put any opponent on a tight clock.
How do you navigate the murky waters of a match against this serpent? Removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, can slip past its defenses. Also, counterplay strategies might include indirect threats like creature enchantments or artifacts which can adjust the board state and minimize the serpent’s impact without having to target it directly. Relying on these strategies requires a bit of tactical foresight but proves effective to turn the tide against Shrouded Serpent.
Enacting a well-crafted defense with these approaches can provide the necessary edge. When facing down Shrouded Serpent, remember, direct confrontation isn’t the only path to victory. Clever positioning and strategic use of universal effects can outmaneuver its shrouded tactics and lead you to prevail in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shrouded Serpent MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Shrouded Serpent 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shrouded Serpent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |