Coiled Tinviper MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Snake
Abilities First strike
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Coiled Tinviper offers card draw on combat damage, accelerating your in-game resources and strategy.
  2. However, it requires discarding a card and a specific mana mix which may limit deck flexibility.
  3. Its strategic use in poison and artifact-centric decks makes it a nuanced addition to MTG collections.

Text of card

First strike

The bite of the tinviper feels most like a razor drawn across the tongue.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Coiled Tinviper gives players an edge by allowing them to potentially draw a card whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This ability can help you outpace your opponent by generating extra resources and options each turn.

Resource Acceleration: This crafty serpent can also be a source of resource acceleration, as some strategies may synergize with creature-based damage to unlock additional mana or effects, helping you ramp up your plays faster than your opponent.

Instant Speed: The natural agility of the Coiled Tinviper means it can be a threat whenever it’s on the battlefield. While it doesn’t inherently have instant speed, its synergies with other cards that operate at instant speed can create unexpected opportunities and turn the tides of the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To unleash the Coiled Tinviper onto the battlefield, you’ll find that discarding a card is part of its inherent mechanics. While this may amplify the tactical depth of the game, it poses a considerable downside when your hand is already stretched thin by the ongoing duel.

Specific Mana Cost: One of the primary drawbacks of the Coiled Tinviper is its specific mana requirement. Summoning this creature necessitates a precise mix of mana types, potentially complicating its inclusion in multi-colored decks that value mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Taking into account the conversion rate of mana to effect, the Coiled Tinviper may lag behind in efficiency. When placed side by side with alternative creatures within the same mana range, it becomes evident that some may bring more to the table in terms of board impact and long-term value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Coiled Tinviper is a well-rounded choice for several deck types with its sneaky poison counters and artifact synergies. It’s a solid pick whether you’re building around artifacts, +1/+1 counters, or just need a reliable early-game creature.

Combo Potential: In decks that amplify poison counters or enhance artifact strategies, this sly serpent can become a key component. It pairs well with proliferate mechanics or cards that reward you for dealing combat damage to a player.

Meta-Relevance: With its ability to dish out poison counters in a meta that’s ever wary of Infect strategies, Coiled Tinviper holds its ground. It can slide into your game plan against slower decks, or as a tactical element in faster, more aggressive artifact-based builds.


How to Beat the Coiled Tinviper

Coiled Tinviper poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. This serpent with its potential for deathtouch — when equipped with the right gear — can be a menacing threat. However, there are straightforward tactics to tackle this slithery foe. Board wipes like Wrath of God can sweep the viper away before it lashes out. Spot removal spells such as Path to Exile offer a swift response, whisking the Tinviper out of combat efficiently. The serpent can also struggle against enchantments that pacify or prevent it from dealing damage, such as Pacifism or Dead Weight. These remove the danger without engaging in battle directly.

Control decks excel at containing creatures like Coiled Tinviper with counterspells ready to stop it from slithering onto the field altogether. For those with a more aggressive playstyle, sometimes the best defense is overwhelming offense; deploying a flurry of creatures can often pressure a Coiled Tinviper deck before it stabilizes. Remember, understanding your opponent’s strategy and timing the execution of your removals and countermeasures will ensure that this venomous reptile won’t coil around your chances of victory.


Cards like Coiled Tinviper

Coiled Tinviper enters the varied realm of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering, bearing resemblances to a host of other snake-like creatures. For instance, comparing it to the well-known Wasteland Viper, Coiled Tinviper shares the propensity for sneak attacks due to its venomous touch. Yet, Coiled Tinviper stands out with a subtle mechanical twist, offering artifact synergy which Wasteland Viper lacks.

Another similar creature is Slither Blade. Both cards can slip past defenses easily, however, Slither Blade demands an emphasis on offense with its “can’t be blocked” clause. In contrast, Coiled Tinviper leans toward a defensive stance, deterring opponents’ attacks with its potential poison counters. Finally, Blight Mamba offers a close parallel to Coiled Tinviper in terms of introducing poison to opponents, but it does so with the regenerative ability, giving it an edge in survivability over the Tinviper.

Analyzing these creatures reveals how Coiled Tinviper situates itself as a tactician’s choice, blending offense and defense with a splash of artifact affinity, a truly intriguing option for players who appreciate strategic depth and variety on the battlefield.

Wasteland Viper - MTG Card versions
Slither Blade - MTG Card versions
Blight Mamba - MTG Card versions
Wasteland Viper - Gatecrash (GTC)
Slither Blade - Amonkhet (AKH)
Blight Mamba - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Coiled Tinviper by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions
Training Drone - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Sunglasses of Urza - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Ebony Horse - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Runed Arch - Ice Age (ICE)
Bösium Strip - Weatherlight (WTH)
Clay Pigeon - Unglued (UGL)
Ashnod's Altar - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Jalum Tome - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Static Orb - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Patchwork Gnomes - Odyssey (ODY)
The Stasis Coffin - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Wall of Spears - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Spellweaver Helix - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scale of Chiss-Goria - Mirrodin (MRD)
Lightning Coils - Mirrodin (MRD)
Vedalken Shackles - Kaladesh Inventions (MPS)
Loxodon Warhammer - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Sword of Feast and Famine - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Training Drone - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Coiled Tinviper MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Tempest Remastered, 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 Coiled Tinviper and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Coiled Tinviper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by John Matson.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 2791997normalblackJohn Matson
22015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 2192015normalblackJohn Matson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Coiled Tinviper has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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