Serum Tank MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Draws extra cards, maximizing card advantage for players using repeatable draw effects within their deck strategies.
  2. While not directly generating mana, Serum Tank often leads to indirect resource acceleration by drawing into more mana sources.
  3. Enhances instant-speed plays, offering flexibility to respond to opponents and adapt to various game situations effectively.

Text of card

Whenever Serum Tank or another artifact comes into play, put a charge counter on Serum Tank. , , Remove a charge counter from Serum Tank: Draw a card.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Serum Tank shines when it comes to keeping your hand filled with options. As a powerful piece in decks that can maximize the potential of repeatable draw effects, it allows players to tap into a consistent source of new cards, thus maintaining an edge over opponents by having more resources at their disposal.

Resource Acceleration: This artifact can often act as a subtle form of resource acceleration. While it doesn’t produce mana directly, the draw effect of Serum Tank can potentially lead to drawing into more land or other mana sources, thereby indirectly boosting your overall mana availability more consistently throughout the game.

Instant Speed: While the Serum Tank itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its utility in decks includes playing well with cards that do. It benefits from the instant-speed interactions prevalent within the game, as tapping and drawing can be executed in response to opponents’ actions, making it a flexible tool in various situations and setups.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Serum Tank necessitates a card discard to activate its ability, which can be a drawback when your hand is nearly empty or when the cards you hold are vital for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This artifact demands colorless mana to both cast and utilize its draw ability, which may be awkward in mana bases primarily tailored for multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost and the additional requirement to pay mana for each draw, Serum Tank can be a costly venture compared to other card draw options in the game, potentially slowing down your tempo.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Serum Tank offers a flexible role in decks that could utilize a constant source of card draw. Its ability to provide incremental advantage every turn makes it a valuable asset in any deck looking to grind out long-term value.

Combo Potential: For enthusiasts who enjoy crafting intricate combos, Serum Tank excels. Charge counters from other sources can be funneled into Serum Tank, turning it into a card-drawing engine that can feed into other combo pieces.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games tend to extend beyond the early turns, Serum Tank’s ability to provide sustained card advantage can be particularly impactful. This card can become a key piece in outlasting opponents and drawing into pivotal answers or threats.


How to Beat Serum Tank

When facing the Serum Tank in your MTG matchups, it’s crucial to recognize this artifact’s ability to gradually draw cards over time. The real challenge comes from its growing potency as the game progresses. The key to countering the Serum Tank lies in mitigating its drawing capability. One efficient approach is to deploy artifact destruction spells early on. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can instantly remove Serum Tank from the battlefield before your opponent reaps significant benefits.

Another tactic is to focus on strategies that limit the opponent’s opportunities to use Serum Tank effectively. This includes applying pressure with aggressive creatures or using denial mechanics to keep their mana tied up. By forcing them to prioritize resources elsewhere, you inherently stifle the Serum Tank’s potential. Additionally, utilizing direct artifact removal spells such as Abrade can catch your opponent off guard, especially when they’re banking on the incremental advantage the tank offers. Ultimately, proactive control of the board and strategic use of removal spells are your best bet to neutralize the threat of the Serum Tank.


Cards like Serum Tank

In the realm of artifact-based card draw in MTG, Serum Tank presents an intriguing option. It shares similarities with other artifacts like Prophetic Prism, which provides a modest card advantage by drawing a single card upon entering the battlefield. Serum Tank, however, requires more setup, offering potential card draw each time a player casts a spell with a charge counter on it.

Comparing Serum Tank to Mind Stone reveals differences in speed and potential card advantage. Mind Stone allows for immediate mana acceleration and can later be sacrificed for card draw, offering a quicker albeit single-use advantage. Conversely, Serum Tank holds the promise of repeated card draw over time, ideal for decks looking to capitalize on long-term investments.

Moreover, Ichor Wellspring is another artifact that players might consider. It ensures card draw upon entering and leaving the battlefield. While it doesn’t require the buildup that Serum Tank does, it doesn’t boast the potential for multiple draws over multiple turns in the way Serum Tank can, given the right conditions and a charge counter strategy in play.

Overall, while Serum Tank may not provide immediate gratification, its cumulative effect in the right deck can outpace other similar card draw engines, rewarding patient and strategic MTG players with a steady stream of resources.

Prophetic Prism - MTG Card versions
Mind Stone - MTG Card versions
Ichor Wellspring - MTG Card versions
Prophetic Prism - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Mind Stone - Weatherlight (WTH)
Ichor Wellspring - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Cards similar to Serum Tank 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 Serum Tank MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Planechase, 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 Serum Tank and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Serum Tank Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2009-09-04. Illustrated by Corey D. Macourek.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 2402003normalblackCorey D. Macourek
22009-09-04PlanechaseHOP 1252003normalblackCorey D. Macourek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Serum Tank has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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