Stampeding Serow MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Antelope Beast |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 2005-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Saviors of Kamigawa |
| Set code | SOK |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 150 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Edward P. Beard, Jr. |
Text of card
Trample At the beginning of your upkeep, return a green creature you control to its owner's hand.
Cards like Stampeding Serow
Stampeding Serow offers an intriguing dynamic for creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card bears resemblance in functionality to other creatures that favor return-to-hand mechanics, such as Roaring Primadox. Similar to Stampeding Serow, the Primadox enforces the return of another creature to your hand during your upkeep, although it comes at a greater power tally and for the same mana cost.
Another card that echoes the abilities of Stampeding Serow is Stampeding Wildebeests. Despite sharing not only a part of the name but also the same return-to-hand effect and mana cost, the Wildebeests differ with a 5/4 body, providing a sturdier presence on the field compared to the Serow’s 4/3 stats. However, both creatures offer a valuable loop for replaying creatures with powerful enter-the-battlefield effects, optimizing their role in green decks that exploit such synergies.
Assessing the field of similar cards, Stampeding Serow holds its own by facilitating recurring ETB triggers and tactical hand management, key aspects for players who harness and thrive on the cunning maneuvers provided by such agile green creatures in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Stampeding Serow by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Leveraging the recurrent ability to return a green creature to your hand each turn, Stampeding Serow gives you the distinct advantage of reutilizing enter-the-battlefield effects of creatures or saving key creatures from removal. This can significantly increase your card value over time.
Resource Acceleration: By enabling the reuse of creatures with mana abilities or ones that generate tokens, Stampeding Serow can effectively accelerate your resource accumulation. This creature enhances board presence and can help you outpace your opponent in terms of available mana and creatures.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Stampeding Serow complements instant speed cards. You can bounce a creature to your hand during your end step and preserve mana for instants or effects that disrupt your opponent’s plays, maximizing your flexibility and response potential.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Stampeding Serow comes with a discard requirement, forcing players to discard a card each turn. This can be a significant drawback, especially in games where maintaining card advantage is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Boarding a specific mana cost in its casting, this Serow necessitates a dedicated green mana setup. Players running multicolored decks may find the casting cost restrictive, as it hampers the deck’s flexibility and potential for a swift play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Stampeding Serow might not match its in-game impact when compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket. Four mana is quite steep, and savvy players might opt for creatures that offer a greater threat or utility for the same, if not a lower, mana cost.
Reasons to Include Stampeding Serow in Your Collection
Versatility: Stampeding Serow offers a flexible role within green decks, providing a reliable way to return creatures to your hand. This can be particularly useful for reusing comes-into-play effects or to save creatures from removal.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with creatures that have powerful enter-the-battlefield triggers, paving the way for recurring value each turn and maximizing the impact of those creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are common, Stampeding Serow can be a dynamic tool. Its ability to repeatedly ensure value from other creatures ensures it keeps pace with evolving deck archetypes, solidifying its place in various formats.
How to beat Stampeding Serow
Encountering Stampeding Serow in Magic: The Gathering can be an interesting challenge. This green creature has the notable ability to return a green creature you control to its owner’s hand at the beginning of your upkeep. This provides a recurring way to utilize enter-the-battlefield effects of other green creatures. Overcoming this card requires a strategy that disrupts this synergy.
Removal spells that bypass protection or that can be cast at instant speed are key in this duel. Cards like Path to Exile offer a straightforward solution to deal with Stampeding Serow regardless of its power due to its exile effect. Ensuring you have ways to interfere during your opponent’s turn is crucial, as it allows you to react to the board before the Serow’s ability can be used again.
Board wipes also prove effective, as they can clear the Serow along with other creatures that might be taking advantage of its ability. Wrath of God is a classic example that resets the board, forcing your opponent to rebuild their presence. Remember, interference with your opponent’s tempo through timely removal or reset tactics can turn the game in your favor against Stampeding Serow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stampeding Serow MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, 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 Stampeding Serow and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Stampeding Serow has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stampeding Serow card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-02-01 | The ability that returns a creature doesn’t target anything. You can return a creature with shroud or protection from green, for example. You don’t decide which creature to return until the ability resolves. If you control no other green creatures, you must return Stampeding Serow itself. |
| 2014-02-01 | You choose a creature and return it all during resolution of the triggered ability. This means that if you control two of these, there is no way to end up returning only one creature. |