Symbiotic Deployment MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2001-06-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Apocalypse |
| Set code | APC |
| Number | 88 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Kev Walker |
Text of card
Skip your draw step. o1, Tap two untapped creatures you control: Draw a card.
"You know your orders. I know your hearts. Now the stronghold will know defeat." —Eladamri
Cards like Symbiotic Deployment
Symbiotic Deployment in Magic: The Gathering offers a unique draw mechanism that sets it apart in the vast array of draw cards. It’s reminiscent of other cards like Verduran Enchantress that rewards players for playing with enchantments. However, Symbiotic Deployment allows players to skip their draw step to draw a card for every creature they control by tapping two untapped creatures, thus supporting swarm strategies and making it pivotal in token decks.
Compared to something like Beast Whisperer, which provides card draw with each creature cast, Symbiotic Deployment doesn’t depend on casting creatures but rather the number of creatures on the battlefield. The enchantment Slate of Ancestry also draws a number of cards equal to the creatures you control, but requires a discard and a significant mana investment to activate, offering a trade-off between the instantaneity of card access and resource availability.
Thus, for players looking to capitalize on creature numbers and seeking an alternative draw engine bypassing traditional casting or mana costs, Symbiotic Deployment can become a cornerstone in decks designed around creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Symbiotic Deployment by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Symbiotic Deployment grants access to a steady flow of creatures, potentially delivering a significant card advantage as you keep your hand well-stocked with options.
Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a form of resource acceleration by allowing you to deploy multiple creatures quickly, thus advancing your board presence at an impressive rate.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast creatures at instant speed with Symbiotic Deployment gives you the tactical flexibility to surprise your opponent, disrupt their plays, or simply optimize your mana use throughout each turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Symbiotic Deployment demands a discard as part of its activation, potentially depleting valuable hand resources that could be critical in later stages of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s mana cost is restrictive, requiring both green and blue mana, which can be a stumbling block in multicolored decks where mana consistency is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card’s effect is balanced by its mana cost, which could be considered steep when compared to other card-drawing options available, potentially slowing down your game tempo.
Reasons to Include Symbiotic Deployment in Your Collection
Versatility: Symbiotic Deployment offers a unique avenue for card draw in green decks, which traditionally may lack in this area. This card is particularly useful in token strategies, allowing you to skip your draw step and instead draw a card for each creature you control.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with effects that produce a large number of creatures, turning each token into a potential card draw. It shines in decks where the strategy revolves around creature-based synergies and combos.
Meta-Relevance: In metas where board states can become cluttered with creatures, Symbiotic Deployment can turn a sizeable army into a significant draw engine. It thrives in environments where amassing creatures is both common and rewarded.
How to beat
Symbiotic Deployment is a unique card that requires strategies around it to counter effectively in Magic: The Gathering. It allows a player to draw cards by tapping unused creatures, marking an advantage for those who run creature-heavy decks. The key to overcoming this card is disrupting the creature base that fuels its engine. Board-clearing spells come in handy to wipe the slate clean and halt the card advantage granted by Symbiotic Deployment.
Control decks can be particularly effective by including a variety of removal spells. Targeted removal disrupts specific creature combinations, while counterspells can prevent Symbiotic Deployment from hitting the field in the first place. It’s also beneficial to pressure the opponent’s life total, pushing them to use creatures defensively rather than as a resource generation tool.
By anticipating the reliance on this card and adapting strategy accordingly, players can inhibit the card-drawing capabilities of Symbiotic Deployment and maintain control of the game’s tempo, leading them closer to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Symbiotic Deployment MTG card by a specific set like Apocalypse, 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 Symbiotic Deployment 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 Symbiotic Deployment has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |