Verazol, the Split Current MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Serpent
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Verazol enables casting two spells for the cost of one, maximizing resource use effectively.
  2. Its power scales with mana investment, making it adaptable to different stages of the game.
  3. The ability to copy kicked instants adds strategic depth, increasing in-game adaptability.

Text of card

Verazol, the Split Current enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each mana spent to cast it. Whenever you cast a kicked spell, you may remove two +1/+1 counters from Verazol. If you do, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy. (A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When casting Verazol, the Split Current, you gain the unique ability to copy any kicked spell you cast for as long as it remains on the battlefield. This ability can create significant card advantage by effectively allowing you to cast two spells for the price of one, helping to outpace your opponent with additional resources.

Resource Acceleration: Verazol’s power and toughness are equal to the number of mana spent to cast it, meaning it can be scaled to suit your mana availability. As a scalable force on the board, it can provide a substantial presence that’s in pace with your resource development, enhancing your ability to utilize mana efficiently as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Verazol itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to copy kicked instants (alongside sorceries) gives you the strategic advantage of casting impactful spells at instant speed. This increases your flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions or end-of-turn scenarios, ultimately keeping your opponents guessing and allowing you to maximize the timing of your spells.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Verazol, the Split Current does not inherently require discarding cards, kicking spells to utilize its full potential often results in a hand size reduction. This can be particularly detrimental when you’re aiming to maintain options in your hand during longer matches.

Specific Mana Cost: Verazol’s casting cost, which includes both green and blue mana, makes it less flexible and can be challenging to cast in a timely manner outside of dedicated Simic decks. Also, the card’s reliance on the kicker mechanic means you need to be invested in a specific kicker-centric strategy, which might not align with all gameplay styles.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana with an X variable component, Verazol can require a substantial mana investment to become a driving force on the battlefield. Moreover, its true value is only harvested when additional mana is spent on playing kicker spells, which may be impractical in fast-paced games where efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Verazol, the Split Current slips seamlessly into numerous Simic builds, given its capability to clone kicked spells. Whether you’re ramping up with additional lands or summoning powerful creatures, Verazol adapts to varied gameplay styles with ease.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in environments rich with kickers, enabling players to capitalize on powerful spell duplicates. Combos are only limited by your imagination, with potential to exponentially amplify your board presence or spell impacts.

Meta-Relevance: Because of its ability to copy and therefore double the value of kickers, Verazol enhances decks that are active in the current meta. Players seeking to keep pace with ever-evolving competitive environments find Verazol to be a strategic asset in their collection.


How to beat

Overcoming Verazol, the Split Current in your MTG matchups requires a strategic approach. This potent Simic legendary creature thrives on kicker spells, growing in power with each one you cast. To effectively counter Verazol, disrupt its main ability to copy spells. Targeted removal spells that can handle creatures of any size, such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider, are key to eradicating Verazol before it can copy high-impact kicker spells.

Graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus also limit Verazol’s potency by exiling the graveyard, thus preventing it from benefiting from kicked spells. Countermagic can also serve as a preventive measure against Verazol’s triggered ability, countering crucial spells before they can be copied. And remember, Verazol’s cost can be taxing on an opponent’s mana, making them susceptible during setup turns. Capitalize on this vulnerability with an aggressive strategy, keeping the pressure high and not allowing the time or resources for Verazol to dominate the board.

By prioritizing the removal of Verazol and maintaining a strong offensive posture, players can suppress the threat it poses and move towards securing victory in their MTG games.


Cards like Verazol, the Split Current

Verazol, the Split Current, is a unique commander in the vast tapestry of Magic: The Gathering. Reminiscent of the adaptability you might find in cards like Vorel of the Hull Clade, which doubles counters on any permanent, Verazol takes this a step further. It stands out with its ability to copy kicked spells each time you kick, giving an additional advantage of multiplying your value with no extra mana investment once it’s on the battlefield.

Likewise, Riku of Two Reflections pulls a similar cloning act, copying instant and sorcery spells for a mana cost. However, Verazol’s ability to copy creatures as well without additional cost provides a broader scope of action compared to the singular card type replication offered by Riku. Then, there’s Hallar, the Firefletcher, which goes a different route by dealing damage with each kicked spell. Although Hallar’s ability is limited to causing direct harm, Verazol’s versatility in leveraging the kick mechanic makes it a formidable card for those who seek diverse strategic possibilities.

Parsing through these comparisons, it becomes clear that Verazol, the Split Current, occupies a novel role within the MTG universe, catering to players who favor synergy and maximizing each spell’s impact on the game’s flow.

Vorel of the Hull Clade - MTG Card versions
Riku of Two Reflections - MTG Card versions
Hallar, the Firefletcher - MTG Card versions
Vorel of the Hull Clade - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Riku of Two Reflections - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Hallar, the Firefletcher - Dominaria (DOM)

Cards similar to Verazol, the Split Current by color, type and mana cost

Wood Sage - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Skyfolk - MTG Card versions
Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy - MTG Card versions
Coiling Oracle - MTG Card versions
Thrasios, Triton Hero - MTG Card versions
Kiora's Follower - MTG Card versions
Zameck Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Simic Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Groundling Pouncer - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Heretic - MTG Card versions
Nimbus Swimmer - MTG Card versions
Frilled Oculus - MTG Card versions
Shambleshark - MTG Card versions
Smoke Teller - MTG Card versions
Icefeather Aven - MTG Card versions
Skyrider Elf - MTG Card versions
Plaxmanta - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Mistbinder - MTG Card versions
Hydroid Krasis - MTG Card versions
Biomancer's Familiar - MTG Card versions
Wood Sage - Tempest (TMP)
Gaea's Skyfolk - Apocalypse (APC)
Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy - From Cute to Brute (PCTB)
Coiling Oracle - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Thrasios, Triton Hero - Commander Legends (CMR)
Kiora's Follower - The List (PLST)
Zameck Guildmage - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Simic Guildmage - Dissension (DIS)
Groundling Pouncer - Eventide (EVE)
Vedalken Heretic - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Nimbus Swimmer - RNA Guild Kit (GK2)
Frilled Oculus - Gatecrash (GTC)
Shambleshark - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Smoke Teller - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Icefeather Aven - Commander 2019 (C19)
Skyrider Elf - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Plaxmanta - Commander 2015 (C15)
Merfolk Mistbinder - Rivals of Ixalan (RIX)
Hydroid Krasis - Ravnica: Clue Edition (CLU)
Biomancer's Familiar - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Verazol, the Split Current MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Zendikar Rising Promos, 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 Verazol, the Split Current and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Verazol, the Split Current Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-09-25 and 2020-09-25. Illustrated by Daarken.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 838202015normalblackDaarken
22020-09-25Zendikar Rising PromosPZNR 239s2015normalblackDaarken
32020-09-25Zendikar RisingZNR 2392015normalblackDaarken
42020-09-25Zendikar RisingZNR 3702015normalblackDaarken
52020-09-25Zendikar Rising PromosPZNR 239p2015normalblackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Verazol, the Split Current has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Verazol, the Split Current card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-09-25 A copy is created even if the spell that caused Verazol’s last ability to trigger has been countered by the time that ability resolves. The copy resolves before the original spell.
2020-09-25 For spells with in their mana costs, the copy has the same value of X.
2020-09-25 If Verazol enters the battlefield without being cast, then no mana was spent to cast it. It enters the battlefield without any +1/+1 counters. If no other effects are increasing its toughness at that time, it will be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action.
2020-09-25 If a permanent spell is copied, it’s put onto the battlefield as a token as the spell resolves rather than putting the copy of the spell onto the battlefield. The rules that apply to a permanent spell becoming a permanent apply to a copy of a spell becoming a token.
2020-09-25 If another creature enters the battlefield as a copy of Verazol, consider how much mana was spent to cast that creature to determine how many +1/+1 counters it enters with.
2020-09-25 If the spell that’s copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode or modes. You can’t choose different ones. This doesn’t apply to copying a permanent spell with a modal enters-the-battlefield ability.
2020-09-25 The amount of mana you spent to cast Verazol is usually equal to its converted mana cost, normally 2 plus the value chosen for X. However, you also include any additional costs you pay, including the “commander tax” in a Commander game.
2020-09-25 The copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger.
2020-09-25 The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. The new targets must be legal.
2020-09-25 The token that a resolving copy of a spell becomes isn’t said to have been “created.”
2020-09-25 Verazol’s last ability can copy any kicked spell, not just one with targets.
2020-09-25 You can’t choose to pay any additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too. Most notably, the copy is also kicked.
2020-09-25 You can’t remove more than two counters as Verazol’s last ability resolves to copy the spell more than once. You can’t remove just one counter from it if it has only one. If Verazol leaves the battlefield while its last ability is on the stack, you can’t remove two +1/+1 counters from it at all.

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