Stone-Tongue Basilisk MTG Card
2001-10-01 - Number 276
2001-10-01 - Number 276
2002-06-24 - Number 36238
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Basilisk |
| Abilities | Threshold |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Whenever Stone-Tongue Basilisk deals combat damage to a creature, destroy that creature at end of combat. Threshold — As long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard, all creatures able to block Stone-Tongue Basilisk do so.
Cards like Stone-Tongue Basilisk
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Stone-Tongue Basilisk stands as a unique creature card from the Odyssey expansion. This card competes with others of its ilk, such as Thorn Mammoth, in being a high-cost green creature that plays a role in controlling the board. While the Basilisk requires Threshold to unlock its potential, becoming a force that can decimate an opponent’s creatures, Thorn Mammoth needs no such setup to exert its influence, acting upon entering the battlefield and whenever another creature enters under your control.
Comparable as well is the card Questing Beast, another example of aggressive green creatures in MTG. Questing Beast lacks the Threshold ability but brings a suite of abilities to bear, including haste, deathtouch, and being able to deal combat damage to planeswalkers. It’s the variety and immediacy of these abilities that sets Questing Beast apart from Stone-Tongue Basilisk, which, while powerful, depends on the game state to truly shine.
In reflecting upon these similar cards, Stone-Tongue Basilisk may not be the quickest option for impacting the board, but with the right setup, it can clear the way for victory as effectively as its contemporaries, each card with its strategic place in MTG contexts.
Cards similar to Stone-Tongue Basilisk by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Stone-Tongue Basilisk enables a tactical shift in board control, allowing a single attack to potentially clear multiple blockers due to its lethal ability. This sets up the potential for overwhelming card advantage as the opponent’s creatures are decimated.
Resource Acceleration: While this creature itself does not directly accelerate resources, its Threshold ability incentivizes players to fill their graveyard quickly, which synergizes well with decks that capitalize on such mechanics to ramp up their game plan.
Instant Speed: The Basilisk’s ability to destroy any blocker it touches can pose an immediate threat during combat. Although the card is not an instant itself, it can be a game-changer at instant-speed if resurrected from the graveyard during combat or flashed in by other card effects.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Stone-Tongue Basilisk demands that you possess a card named “Thorn Elemental” in your hand to be played without its threshold cost. This can often lead to a constraint since holding the specific card reduces flexibility and can be detrimental when you are already managing scarce resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The Basilisk’s casting cost is restrictive, necessitating a heavy commitment to green mana. This specificity could potentially limit deck-building options and is not always ideal for multi-colored decks that may run fewer forests or sources of green mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even for its robust body and potential board impact, the seven mana needed to summon Stone-Tongue Basilisk is a significant investment. Considering this high cost, players frequently evaluate alternative creatures or spells that could be more effective or offer more immediate board presence and impact for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Stone-Tongue Basilisk boasts a unique ability to handle a variety of threats. With its threshold ability, it becomes a robust tool against creature-heavy strategies, making it a flexible addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: This card is a powerful component for combos, especially in decks that manipulate the graveyard. Its ability to destroy multiple creatures can work in tandem with other cards to turn the tides of the game.
Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to dismantle swarming tactics, Stone-Tongue Basilisk remains relevant in metas dominated by creature-based decks. Including it in your arsenal ensures you have a strategic answer to densely populated board states.
How to beat
The Stone-Tongue Basilisk presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It has a unique threshold ability that can lay waste to an opponent’s creatures if you’ve suffered substantial graveyard stockpiling. When facing this reptilian conundrum, it’s essential to manage the number of cards in your graveyard to prevent it from reaching threshold and thus, activating its devastating power.
One strategic approach is to utilize removal spells that exile rather than destroy, as this circumvents the basilisk’s capability to trigger its abilities post-mortem. Graveyard hate cards, such as Rest in Peace, can be highly effective in this scenario by clearing the graveyard and keeping the basilisk’s full potential at bay. Additionally, employing instant speed interactions allows you to respond adeptly to threats or even utilize counter spells to prevent the basilisk from hitting the field altogether.
Ultimately, playing around Stone-Tongue Basilisk comes down to keen awareness of graveyard dynamics and choosing the right moment to act. By carefully timing your removals and controlling graveyard accumulation, you can neutralize this formidable creature and maintain command of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stone-Tongue Basilisk MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey Promos and Odyssey, 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 Stone-Tongue Basilisk 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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Printings
The Stone-Tongue Basilisk Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2001-10-01. Illustrated by Wayne England.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey Promos | PODY | 276 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 2 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 276 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 3 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 36238 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Wayne England |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Stone-Tongue Basilisk has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |