Thicket Basilisk MTG Card


It skillfully turns potential blockers into liabilities, offering a significant board control advantage. Thicket Basilisk’s abilities encourage opponents to use removals, subtly accelerating your game tempo. Instant-speed synergies allow for combat disruption, making it a versatile tool in various strategies.
Card setsReleased in 15 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Basilisk
Power 2
Toughness 4

Text of card

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

Moss-covered statues littered the area, a macabre monument to the Basilisk's power.


Understanding Thicket Basilisk’s Role in Creature Control

In the realm of creature control within Magic: The Gathering, Thicket Basilisk stands out with a unique ability to compel engagement. Its most direct comparison is often with the slightly more robust Craw Wurm, which boasts a greater attack and defense but lacks the all-important Lure effect inherent to Thicket Basilisk. This effect, which forces creatures to block if able, turns Thicket Basilisk into a strategic piece on the battlefield, offering control over opponents’ creatures that can be pivotal during combat.

Cards like Thicket Basilisk

Thicket Basilisk’s ability to dictate combat introduces fascinating dynamics compared to other creature cards. For instance, the Basilisk shares a kinship with Lure, an enchantment that applies a similar must-block effect. However, the Basilisk bundles the effect with a body, which can deter attacks or clear the field of pesky blockers. Another creature echoing Thicket Basilisk’s tactical nature is the Cockatrice, delivering both flying and the potential to destroy any non-wall creature it blocks or is blocked by, but it comes at a higher mana cost. Bringing more enchantment synergy to the table, cards like Rabid Wombat benefit from enchantments like Lure, while the Basilisk conserves card economy by being self-sufficient.

In an environment valuing board control and tactical advantage, Thicket Basilisk emerges as a modest yet effective option, especially when paired with cards enhancing its innate Lure, thus fortifying its position in the MTG creature hierarchy.

Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Lure - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wombat - MTG Card versions
Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Lure - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wombat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Thicket Basilisk by color, type and mana cost

Cockatrice - 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
Cockatrice - 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: Thicket Basilisk stands out as it can potentially clear multiple blockers due to its ‘lethal to creatures it blocks and is blocked by’ ability, making it a strong asset in controlling the board and maintaining player advantage while navigating through a game.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly influencing mana, the Thicket Basilisk prompts opponents to invest resources in removing it, potentially leading to indirect resource acceleration by affecting the tempo of the opponent.

Instant Speed: Despite Thicket Basilisk not having an instant speed itself, it synergizes well with spells of instant speed, such as those that force your opponent to block it, leveraging its destructive blocking ability to disrupt opponent strategies during the combat phase.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Thicket Basilisk demands a precise combination of mana to play, necessitating both two generic and two green mana. This requirement can be a challenge to meet in multicolored decks that may not consistently produce the necessary green mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of four mana for a 2/4 creature, Thicket Basilisk sits at a higher end of the mana curve when compared to other creatures with similar stats or abilities. This sometimes makes it less appealing when constructing a mana-efficient deck.

Discard Requirement: While Thicket Basilisk itself does not require a discard to play, its optimal use often involves cards that enable its lethal damage ability, such as Lure. This can potentially lead to a two-card combo where the second card might be better replaced by another creature or spell that doesn’t necessitate an additional component to be effective.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thicket Basilisk is a classic green creature card with the power to control the board. It can be a robust defender in many deck archetypes, especially those focused on utilizing creatures to maintain dominance.

Combo Potential: Its unique ability to destroy any non-wall creature it blocks or is blocked by, opens avenues for various combo plays. It pairs well with strategies that lure opponents’ creatures into battles or with cards that can grant it additional combat tricks.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Thicket Basilisk can act as a deterrent and strategic eliminator of key opponents’ threats, giving it a potential edge in certain matchups.


How to beat

Thicket Basilisk, a classic creature card from Magic: The Gathering, can pose a significant challenge in creature-based strategies. Known for its ability to destroy any non-wall creature it blocks or is blocked by, the Thicket Basilisk demands specific tactics to be taken down. One straightforward strategy is to avoid engaging it in combat if your deck lacks the means to overpower it or to utilize creatures with flying or reach, as these abilities allow you to evade the Basilisk’s lethal touch.

Another way to remove this card from the battlefield is through direct removal spells, such as Murder or Path to Exile, both capable of dealing with the Basilisk regardless of its defensive capabilities. Additionally, board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the Basilisk along with other creatures, resetting the board. Lastly, enchantments that neutralize creatures, like Pacifism, can effectively render the Thicket Basilisk harmless, preventing it from causing any trouble without requiring a direct confrontation.

Handling the Thicket Basilisk necessitates a mix of smart play decisions and the right removal tools. By integrating these strategies into your gameplay, you can overcome this formidable card and continue to advance your position in the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thicket Basilisk 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 Thicket Basilisk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thicket Basilisk Magic the Gathering card was released in 14 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2181993NormalBlackDan Frazier
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2191993NormalBlackDan Frazier
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2191993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
41993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2191993NormalBlackDan Frazier
51993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2191993NormalBlackDan Frazier
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2181993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2181993NormalBlackDan Frazier
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2181993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
91995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2741993NormalBlackDan Frazier
101995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2741993NormalWhiteDan Frazier
111997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3311997NormalWhiteDan Frazier
121999-04-21Classic Sixth Edition6ED 2561997NormalWhiteDan Frazier
132007-09-10Masters EditionME1 1341997NormalBlackDan Frazier
142022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2142015NormalBlackDan Frazier
152022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5111997NormalBlackDan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thicket Basilisk has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thicket Basilisk 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 Protection from Green does not stop the Basilisk’s ability because the ability is not targeted.
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.