Vodalian Serpent MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Serpent |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 86 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Christopher Moeller |
Text of card
Kicker (You may pay an additional as you play this spell.) Vodalian Serpent can't attack unless defending player controls an island. If you paid the kicker cost, Vodalian Serpent comes into play with four +1/+1 counters on it.
Cards like Vodalian Serpent
Vodalian Serpent slides into the realm of water-based creatures in Magic: The Gathering with unique traits to admire. It finds company with Sea Serpent, a classic card from the early sets, both boasting a maritime theme. Vodalian Serpent, however, stands out with its flexible casting cost and potential to scale in power and toughness based on specific conditions, such as the number of islands a player controls. Sea Serpent does not share this adaptability, having fixed stats and a higher mana cost that lacks this dynamic nature.
Another creature that swims in similar waters is the Serpent of Yawning Depths, sharing the serpentine sea creature appeal. Where Vodalian Serpent can shine is in its easier mana cost and more straightforward board impact sans any additional text. The Serpent of Yawning Depths, while powerful in its own right, demands more from a deck builder to harness its full potential, making Vodalian Serpent a more flexible option for many deck archetypes.
Assessing the value and versatility of Vodalian Serpent amidst other aquatic contenders, it certainly carves a niche for itself within MTG’s extensive catalog of underwater beasts. Its agility in mana usage and power flexibility makes it a card to consider for decks capitalizing on sea-themed strategies.
Cards similar to Vodalian Serpent by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Vodalian Serpent comes with a looting ability, offering a strategic edge by allowing you to cycle through your deck and keep the cards you need while discarding what’s unnecessary. This type of card selection is a pivotal aspect of maintaining momentum against your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Featuring an adaptable mana cost, this serpent can fit into your curve seamlessly, ensuring you make the most use of your resources each turn. By playing it at just the right moment, it can contribute to a more efficient distribution of your mana and potentially leading to a quicker execution of your strategy.
Instant Speed: Capable of being played at instant speed, this card gives you the flexibility to react during your opponent’s turn. It allows for strategic surprises and can disrupt the opponent’s plans by providing an unexpected blocker or an end-of-turn threat they must deal with on their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One downside of the Vodalian Serpent is the necessity to discard another card in order to unlock certain abilities. This trade-off requires thoughtful consideration, particularly when your hand is lacking in expendable options. Players need to balance the immediate advantage of activating the Serpent’s ability against the potential loss of crucial resources which might be needed for subsequent turns.
Specific Mana Cost: The Serpent’s mana cost includes blue mana, anchoring it firmly within blue-focused or compatible multicolor decks. This specific requirement can restrict deck-building flexibility and may not easily fit into a strategy that doesn’t heavily utilize blue mana or cannot afford to allocate resources to this combination.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When we evaluate the efficiency of the Serpent in relation to its mana cost, it’s worth noting that the required investment to cast it might not correspond with the impact it has on the game. Players often consider the opportunity cost of including a card with a high mana cost in their deck, especially if there are alternative creatures or spells with lower costs that provide comparable or greater effects to the board state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vodalian Serpent offers flexibility in deck building, performing well in strategies that prioritize control and efficient creature play. Its adaptability in various aquatic or serpent-themed decks makes it a valuable asset.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its synergistic abilities, the Vodalian Serpent can be a key player in combos, interacting profitably with cards that care about creature types or those that manipulate +1/+1 counters.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that’s rich with enchantments and artifacts, the Vodalian Serpent’s potential to disrupt opponent strategies can give you a tactical edge on the battlefield.
How to beat
The Vodalian Serpent presents a unique challenge in the game of Magic: The Gathering, boasting an ability that can quickly turn the tides of the sea-themed battlefield. Often finding its place in blue and sea-creature decks, this card can often evade and outmaneuver opponents with ease due to its intricate design. How then, does one navigate these treacherous waters?
Status effects are your strong allies against the serpentine menaces of the deep. Cards that can tap creatures or otherwise prevent them from untapping during their controller’s untap step, like Sleep or Frost Breath, become invaluable. Cards with reach or flying have an edge as well, providing a counterbalance to the serpent’s evasion abilities. Additionally, counterspells are a solid strategy for preventing such creatures from entering the battlefield in the first place.
Another efficient approach is to take advantage of cards that grant protection from blue or from creatures with islandwalk to bolster your defenses. By fortifying your line-up with such spells or abilities, you can shield your game from the serpent’s strengths. Understanding the matchup and preparing your deck with answers for these aquatic aggressors can steer you towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vodalian Serpent MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Vodalian Serpent 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vodalian Serpent has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |