Wall of Vipers MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Snake Wall |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Released | 2000-06-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Prophecy |
| Set code | PCY |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 80 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Marc Fishman |
Text of card
(Walls can't attack.) o3: Destroy Wall of Vipers and target creature it's blocking. Any player may play this ability.
What wall can never be climbed, but is always scaled? —Nakaya riddle
Exploring the Depths
Deep within the strategic layers of MTG lies the Wall of Vipers, a creature card veiled in cunning potential. Wall of Vipers weaves its intrigue into the defensive fabric of creature types, much like its counterpart, Wall of Frost. The snake-infused barrier rises not only to deter attackers but also to invoke a sense of dread with its deadly touch. It shares this pivotal feature with Wall of Frost, which similarly freezes any attacker in its icy grasp, preventing untapping during the next turn.
Cards like Wall of Vipers
Wall of Vipers adds a venomous twist to the traditional concept of walls in MTG. It’s akin to Wall of Frost in that it plays a defensive role but goes a step further by offering players the tactical advantage of deathtouch. This lethal ability ensures that any creature it blocks will be destroyed, a trait not shared by Wall of Frost which only stalls the opponent’s creatures temporarily. Wall of Shadows is another card that finds kinship with Wall of Vipers due to its immunity to damage, though it lacks the offensive edge provided by deathtouch.
Additionally, Wall of Vipers could be compared to other creatures with deathtouch like Typhoid Rats, yet its defensive stature sets it apart. While Typhoid Rats is a proactive offensive tool, Wall of Vipers is a stalwart defender designed to intimidate attackers and serves as a potent deterrent. The strategic use of Wall of Vipers in a defensive deck elevates its status among creatures with deathtouch, offering a blend of resilience and lethal retaliation.
Cards similar to Wall of Vipers by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Wall of Vipers, notably seen in your deck as a resourceful defender, offers more than just protection. This sneaky serpent has the ability to strike fear into the hearts of your opponents while it provides you card advantage on the battlefield. Each time Wall of Vipers successfully defends and destroys a creature, it rewards you by replenishing your hand with a new card, keeping your options plentiful and your game plan robust.
Resource Acceleration: Aside from its primary defensive duties, Wall of Vipers brings a sly form of resource acceleration to your matches. Sacrificing this devious creature not only rids you of an immediate threat but also slithers into the realm of advantageous mana. The falling of this wall doesn’t signify defeat but instead heralds the rise of your mana pool, sowing the seeds for casting powerful spells that can change the tide of the game.
Instant Speed: In the intricate dance of spell casting, swift strikes often prove deadly, and Wall of Vipers weaves its magic at instant speed. Whether it’s casting this wall to surprise an attacking enemy or using its sacrificial ability to unexpectedly thwart your opponent’s plans, the speed at which Wall of Vipers operates, allows you to adapt fluidly to the evolving battlefield and maintain the upper hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When engaging with the Wall of Vipers, players must be prepared for its demanding entrance. Deploying this blocker demands a sacrifice – a dismissal of one of your cards in hand. This trading of resources can impede your strategy, particularly if the battlefield is starved and your grip on the game tenuous with few cards to spare.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning the Wall of Vipers onto the battlefield necessitates a precise blend of mana. This creature’s reliance on both green and black mana can complicate its integration into multicolored decks. For those commanders not attuned to the game’s forest and swamps, the Wall’s utility is significantly diminished, hence restricting its presence to decks harmonious with its mana demands.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a demand of three mana, the Wall of Vipers stands at a crossroads of value. Its defensive stature and deceptive bite manifest at a cost that could eclipse more advantageous plays. In the vast pantheon of MTG, where speed and efficiency can dictate the victor, there exist other creatures and spells that may cast a longer shadow for an equivalent, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Wall of Vipers brings significant flexibility to defensive strategies. Its ability to block multiple creatures, thanks to its deathtouch ability, can dissuade opponents from attacking and fits well in control or midrange decks that prioritize board stabilization.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize with effects that care about deathtouch or creature death, fostering combo opportunities. Pair it with cards that encourage your opponents to attack or that can repeatedly untap it to optimize its utility.
Meta-Relevance: With creature-based decks frequently populating the meta, Wall of Vipers serves as an effective deterrent. It can hinder prevalent aggro strategies, making it beneficial in the current competitive environment.
How to Beat Wall of Vipers
Wall of Vipers adds a layer of defense strategies in Magic: The Gathering, posing a challenge for players trying to penetrate the fortified lines. With its ability to deathtouch any creature it blocks, it can be a frustrating roadblock. However, overcoming this obstacle is feasible with the right approach. A straightforward method is using removal spells that can bypass the creature’s toughness, such as Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push, eliminating the wall before it can claim any victims.
Another tactic involves spells that don’t target, preventing the activation of any protection abilities the wall might have. Board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the field of Wall of Vipers and other creatures in one fell swoop, presenting an opportunity to refocus your assault. Also, considering evasion techniques, such as granting your creatures flying or unblockable status, allows you to circumvent the wall entirely, applying pressure directly to your opponent’s life total.
Ultimately, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of defensive cards like Wall of Vipers is key to maintaining the upper hand. Adaptability and shrewd spell selection can ensure that this serpentine obstruction doesn’t derail your plans for victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Wall of Vipers MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Wall of Vipers 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Wall of Vipers has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |