Moss Viper MTG Card


Moss Viper - Theros Beyond Death
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Snake
Abilities Deathtouch
Released2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Beyond Death
Set codeTHB
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number179
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMike Bierek

Key Takeaways

  1. Moss Viper’s deathtouch ability makes it a cost-effective threat to larger creatures.
  2. It excels in green decks and can influence the game’s tempo favorably.
  3. Despite its strengths, strategic play and spell use can overcome its presence.

Text of card

Deathtouch

Nylea watches over all the creatures of the forest except for the snakes. Blessed by Pharika, they can take care of themselves.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Moss Viper itself may not directly provide card advantage, its mere presence on the board can lead to indirect card advantage through deterring opponent attacks or trading favorably with more expensive creatures.

Resource Acceleration: Moss Viper doesn’t inherently accelerate resources in the traditional sense of generating mana or drawing cards. However, its low casting cost makes it easily deployable, leaving mana open for other spells or abilities to be used within the same turn.

Instant Speed: Although Moss Viper is a creature and not cast at instant speed, it pairs well with effects that allow creatures to enter the battlefield at instant speed. This can create surprise blockers and enable strategic combat decisions that can shift the course of a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Moss Viper is a straightforward creature without the need to discard; however, this simplicity might be a downside in decks designed to utilize discard mechanics for strategic advantages.

Specific Mana Cost: While Moss Viper’s single green mana cost is minimal, it is strictly color-dependent. This requirement can make it less versatile in multicolored decks that may prioritize more flexible mana costs or multicolored spells to take full advantage of the mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though Moss Viper’s mana cost is low, when considering its 1/1 stats and deathtouch ability, other creatures or spells in the green mana spectrum may offer more substantial board presence or additional abilities for a similar investment, potentially making Moss Viper a less attractive option in certain deck builds.


Reasons to Include Moss Viper in Your Collection

Versatility: Moss Viper offers a unique blend of low-cost efficiency and deathtouch, allowing it to serve as both an early blocker against larger creatures and an aggressive one-drop in decks that capitalize on creature combat.

Combo Potential: With its deathtouch ability, Moss Viper pairs well with cards that allow it to deal damage in various ways, becoming a cheap and effective removal tool within certain combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where larger creatures dominate, Moss Viper remains relevant. Its presence can dissuade opponents from attacking and seamlessly fits into green-based decks focusing on creature interactions.


How to beat

Moss Viper presents a subtle threat on the battlefield in MTG, with its deathtouch ability enabling it to destroy any creature it deals damage to, no matter the size. This can make Moss Viper an annoying roadblock, especially early on in the game. To navigate around this slithery problem, it’s essential to avoid unnecessary combat with larger creatures that you can’t afford to lose.

Strategic use of removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their abilities is one of the most efficient solutions. A spell like Shock can take out Moss Viper before it has a chance to entangle your creatures in combat. Another tactic involves flying or reach creatures, as Moss Viper lacks the flying ability, making it unable to block creatures coming from the air, thus allowing you to bypass it completely.

Understanding how to tackle this unassuming yet potentially troublesome card can significantly improve your game strategy, keeping your key creatures safe and maintaining a clear path to victory. Essentially, dealing with Moss Viper is about making informed decisions during gameplay and managing your resources effectively.


BurnMana Recommendations

For MTG enthusiasts seeking to refine their deck, Moss Viper is an intriguing option worthy of consideration. Its ability to hold off larger threats with deathtouch despite its modest size makes it a strategic asset. It shines as a surprise blocker in green-centric builds, especially given its negligible mana cost. If you’re keen to harness the power of this sly creature and navigate the nuances of creature-based combat, or if you simply wish to bolster your collection with versatile cards offering combo potential and meta relevance, delve deeper into tactics and insights with us. Learn to effectively utilize Moss Viper and enhance your gameplay with strategic precision.


Cards like Moss Viper

Moss Viper is a green creature card that earns its distinction in Magic: The Gathering through its deathtouch ability. Comparable to Sedge Scorpion, both are one-mana green creatures with deathtouch, presenting a significant threat to larger creatures despite their own low stats. However, Moss Viper has an edge with its slightly higher toughness, offering a touch more survivability in combat situations.

Another card in the same vein is Typhoid Rats, echoing the deathtouch trait for a low mana cost. While Typhoid Rats also requires only one mana, it belongs to the black color pie and thus can fit into different deck types than Moss Viper. Additionally, Narnam Renegade stands out with its deathtouch at one mana as well, but with the potential for a larger body due to the revolt ability, giving it an increased power if a permanent left your battlefield the same turn.

Assessing these options, Moss Viper remains a solid choice for green deck players who want an inexpensive yet potent defensive creature. Its ability to eliminate even the mightiest of blockers or attackers makes it a remarkably impactful card at a minimal mana investment.

Sedge Scorpion - MTG Card versions
Typhoid Rats - MTG Card versions
Narnam Renegade - MTG Card versions
Sedge Scorpion - Theros (THS)
Typhoid Rats - Innistrad (ISD)
Narnam Renegade - Aether Revolt (AER)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Moss Viper MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Moss Viper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Moss Viper has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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