Cockatrice MTG Card


Cockatrice’s board control potential compels opponents to deliberate attacks, adjusting their strategies accordingly. Despite its advantages, the card’s specific mana requirement and discard condition may limit its playability. As a versatile creature with combo potential, Cockatrice can be a pivotal addition to various deck strategies.
Card setsReleased in 14 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Cockatrice
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying Any non-wall creature blocking Cockatrice is destroyed, as is any creature blocked by Cockatrice. Creatures destroyed in this way deal their damage before dying.


Cards like Cockatrice

The Cockatrice card brings a distinct presence to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to Thornweald Archer, as both creatures have the deathtouch ability, meaning they can destroy any creature they deal damage to, regardless of the creature’s toughness. However, Cockatrice offers the flying ability, granting it a significant tactical advantage by being able to evade many ground-based creatures.

Another card that echoes the abilities of Cockatrice is Basilisk Collar. This equipment gives any equipped creature deathtouch and lifelink, providing not just killing power but also a way to gain life. While Basilisk Collar requires an additional creature and mana investment to be effective, Cockatrice comes as a ready-to-use package. Then there’s also Vampire Nighthawk, a card with deathtouch, flying, and lifelink. It provides immediate impact as both offense and defense, though it lacks the raw power of Cockatrice’s higher toughness.

Considering these comparisons, Cockatrice carves its niche as a flying defender with lethal consequences for attackers. Players manifest strategy through its inclusion, showcasing the balance it provides between offensive potential and defensive stability.

Thornweald Archer - MTG Card versions
Basilisk Collar - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Thornweald Archer - MTG Card versions
Basilisk Collar - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cockatrice by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
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Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
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Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Panther Warriors - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Cockatrice card brings a tactical edge to the battlefield, as it forces your opponent to carefully consider their attacks. Knowing that blocking with Cockatrice causes the destruction of the attacking creature, even if it’s indestructible, truly puts the decision-making power in your hands, potentially leading to a dominant board position.

Resource Acceleration: Although Cockatrice itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its mere presence can serve as a deterrent, protecting your other creatures and your life points. This can indirectly save resources over time, as there’s less need to expend cards on defense when Cockatrice is on guard.

Instant Speed: While Cockatrice is a creature card and not an instant, its effect on combat is similar to that of instant speed removal, catching opponents off-guard when they fail to remember its deathtouch-like ability. This feature allows you to play more flexibly, keeping your opponents guessing and making them hesitant to engage in combat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Cockatrice card requires a strategic approach, given it necessitates the discardure of another card. This can be particularly problematic when your hand is nearly depleted, turning a potential advantage into a setback as you struggle to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting the Cockatrice means committing to a specific color combination in your mana pool. Its unique mana cost restricts deck-building options, as it is less flexible and could potentially be difficult to play in multi-colored decks that don’t focus on green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: A closer look at the Cockatrice reveals a lofty mana requirement for its capabilities, potentially hindering your game tempo. In MTG, where efficiency is key, there might be alternative creatures or spells that provide a better cost-to-effect ratio, enabling you to optimize your turns and maintain momentum.


Reasons to Include Cockatrice in Your Collection

Versatility: Cockatrice is a unique creature that can slide into various decks, providing both offensive and defensive utility. Its ability to destroy any creature it damages grants it a form of control over the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With the ability to create advantageous board states, this card works well in combos that leverage creature death, such as those that benefit from “Death Triggers” or “Mortal Combat” victory conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Cockatrice can serve as a powerful deterrent, threatening to remove key opposing creatures and shape the course of the game in your favor.


How to beat

The Cockatrice card poses an interesting challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to destroy any creature it blocks or becomes blocked by, it forces opponents to reconsider their attack and defense strategies. One effective method to counter this winged beast is to utilize removal spells. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can handle the Cockatrice before it becomes a threat on the board. Additionally, spells that deal damage without entering combat, such as Lightning Bolt, can take down a Cockatrice without triggering its deadly ability.

Another tactic is to play creatures with indestructible. This attribute ensures that even if they engage with the Cockatrice, they won’t be destroyed. Furthermore, flying creatures with higher power can overcome the Cockatrice in combat, bypassing its destruction effect by virtue of sheer strength. Finally, one can also turn to enchantments like Pacifism, which effectively neutralizes the creature without having to engage it directly.

When facing a Cockatrice, it is crucial to adjust your game plan and rely on non-combat based strategies or superior forces. Mitigating its menacing presence can be the key turnaround in your favor during a match.


BurnMana Recommendations

The art of building an effective MTG deck is akin to weaving a spell – every card must have a purpose and synergy. The Cockatrice card offers a blend of aggressive and defensive strategies, potentially swinging the game in your favor. However, incorporating it into your deck is not without its challenges. Understanding both the strengths and pitfalls of this formidable creature is crucial. We encourage players to look for synergies with Cockatrice’s abilities and to examine deck flexibility to accommodate its unique mana cost and playstyle. To deepen your strategic arsenal, explore other strategic card choices and gain the upper hand against your opponents, visit us and find out how to best harness the power of Cockatrice in your deck compositions.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cockatrice MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Cockatrice and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cockatrice Magic the Gathering card was released in 13 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 1891993NormalBlackDan Frazier
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 1901993NormalBlackDan Frazier
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 1901993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 1901993NormalBlackDan Frazier
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 1901993NormalBlackDan Frazier
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 1891993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 1891993NormalBlackDan Frazier
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 1891993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2371993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2371993NormalBlackDan Frazier
111997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 2841997NormalWhiteDan Frazier
122006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 751997NormalBlackDan Frazier
132022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 4821997NormalBlackDan Frazier
142022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 1852015NormalBlackDan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cockatrice has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 The ability destroys the creature at the end of the combat, which is after all first strike and normal damage dealing is done. This means that a creature may have to regenerate twice to survive the combat, once from damage and once again at end of combat.