Basilisk Collar MTG Card


Basilisk Collar grants deathtouch and lifelink, transforming any creature into a formidable threat. It enhances survival through resource acceleration, making defensive spells less necessary. Instant speed equipping allows for strategic surprises and pivotal play alterations.
Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip

Text of card

Equipped creature has deathtouch and lifelink. Equip

During their endless travels, the mages of the Goma Fada caravan have learned ways to harness both life and death.


Cards like Basilisk Collar

Basilisk Collar is an intriguing equipment card in MTG that offers both Lifelink and Deathtouch, making it a valuable accessory for creatures. It shares functionality with Gorgon Flail, which also grants Deathtouch, but does not offer Lifelink. This makes Basilisk Collar a better choice for sustaining your life total while controlling the board.

Comparably, Loxodon Warhammer brings a similar blend to the battlefield, equipping creatures with Trample along with Lifelink. Although it lacks Deathtouch, the Trample can be much more impactful in dealing significant damage to an opponent. Yet, when it comes to utility and cost-effectiveness, Basilisk Collar’s lower equip cost gives it an edge in faster-paced games where each mana point counts.

Basilisk Collar remains a standout choice within MTG’s array of equipment. It uniquely bolsters both durability and destruction, giving even the most benign creatures the capability to sway the tide of battle significantly. The card’s balance of benefits, accessible cost, and synergy potential cements its status as a staple in many decks that favor creature-based strategies.

Gorgon Flail - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions
Gorgon Flail - MTG Card versions
Loxodon Warhammer - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Basilisk Collar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Eldrazi TronEldrazi Tron ModernEldrazi Tron$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 9:00 am
Mono-Green Hardened ScalesMono-Green Hardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesModern Showcase Challenge 2024-04-13
Colorless PrisonColorless Prison ModernEldrazi TronANZ Super Series Cycle 5 Sunday 5K
Hardened ScalesHardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesSouth America Magic Series - Regional Championship (Final Regional MAR 2024)
Mono-Red MidrangeMono-Red Midrange Legacy*HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $1K - Legacy - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:30 pm
Prison TronPrison Tron ModernPrison TronModern Challenge 64 2024-04-06 (1)
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange ModernMono-Black MidrangeModern Challenge 64 2024-03-24 (1)
10-Rack10-Rack ModernHardened Scales$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 9:00 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipping Basilisk Collar to a creature turns every combat into a potential two-for-one scenario. Deathtouch ensures the equipped creature can kill any blocker or attacker, while lifelink provides a steady stream of life gain, keeping you ahead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the lifelink ability can be a form of indirect acceleration. It buys you time to deploy your resources more effectively, with less pressure from your life total. Additionally, the reduced need for defensive spells can free up your mana each turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to attach Basilisk Collar at instant speed gives you the flexibility to catch opponents off guard, turning any creature into an immediate threat or blocker with deathtouch and lifelink. This can decisively shift the tide of battle in your favor without warning.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Basilisk Collar doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, equipping it requires strategic planning. If the equipment is removed or the creature is destroyed, it might feel like a card was wasted, a comparable downside to actual discard.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost necessitates colorless mana, which might not be difficult to come across, but could still pose a slight challenge in mana-tight situations or in decks running on a strict color curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even though Basilisk Collar’s mana cost is relatively low, the real cost comes in its equip feature. To fully utilize the card, you must both play and attach it to a creature, a process that could be mana-intensive considering you might want to use those resources for playing other spells or threats. Moreover, there are other equipments or auras that offer lifelink or deathtouch at a potentially lower overall investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Basilisk Collar offers a unique dual ability, granting both deathtouch and lifelink. This accessory can turn any creature into a formidable threat and provide a persistent source of life-gain, making it a flexible addition to numerous deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: The deathtouch ability synergizes with cards that deal damage to multiple creatures, effectively wiping out an opponent’s board presence. Lifelink, on the other hand, can be paired with high-power creatures or cards allowing multiple combat phases to keep your life total out of danger zone.

Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving metagame, Basilisk Collar remains relevant by countering strategies that rely on creature superiority. Its capabilities are particularly useful against aggressive decks, stabilizing your position while disrupting your opponent’s tactics.


How to beat

Basilisk Collar is a powerful equipment in MTG, giving any creature deathtouch and lifelink—two very strong abilities that can turn the tides of a game. Deathtouch allows the equipped creature to destroy any other creature it deals damage to, regardless of the latter’s toughness, while lifelink enables you to gain life equal to the damage dealt by the creature. This combination makes for a formidable defensive and offensive tool.

To effectively counter Basilisk Collar, it’s essential to focus on preemptive measures or reactive strategies. Artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize are straightforward solutions to remove the Collar from the battlefield directly. Alternatively, countering creature spells before they can be equipped negates the need to deal with an unstoppable force. For a more subtle approach, aura spells that prevent the equipped creature from dealing or receiving damage nullify the Collar’s benefits, as deathtouch requires damage to be dealt.

Understanding MTG’s intricate layers of strategy, Basilisk Collar requires timely intervention. Successfully navigating around or through its strengths can help maintain control over the game, emphasizing the importance of having answers to equipment-based strategies in your deck.


BurnMana Recommendations

Building an advantage in MTG often hinges on smart accessory choices, much like outfitting your creatures with the right equipment. Basilisk Collar’s blend of deathtouch and lifelink not only bolsters your creatures’ combat capabilities but also fortifies your overall strategy. Whether facing down swarms of aggressive decks or seeking that pivotal life-gain, integrating Basilisk Collar into your array could merit a significant upgrade to your play. Keen to understand the depths of its potential and explore more tactical maneuvers? Enhance your deck-building savvy and strategic plays—join our community for a deep dive into maximizing your MTG arsenal.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Basilisk Collar MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake and Modern Masters 2017, 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 Basilisk Collar and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Basilisk Collar Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 2010-02-05 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-02-05WorldwakeWWK 1222003NormalBlackHoward Lyon
22017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 2162015NormalBlackHoward Lyon
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 15472015NormalBlackHoward Lyon
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2332015NormalBlackHoward Lyon
52020-09-26The ListPLST 2XM-2332015NormalBlackHoward Lyon
62020-09-26The ListPLST MM3-2162015NormalBlackHoward Lyon
72021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1992015NormalBlackHoward Lyon
82022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 5952015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
92022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 3002015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
102022-06-10Battle for Baldur's Gate PromosPCLB 300s2015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
112022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 2532015NormalBlackCraig J Spearing
122024-03-08FalloutPIP 4802015NormalBlackArtur Treffner
132024-03-08FalloutPIP 10082015NormalBlackArtur Treffner
142024-03-08FalloutPIP 2252015NormalBlackArtur Treffner
152024-03-08FalloutPIP 7532015NormalBlackArtur Treffner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Basilisk Collar has restrictions

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