Sylvan Basilisk
Creature — Basilisk
Whenever this creature becomes blocked by a creature, destroy that creature.
- CMC
- 5
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- G
- Rarity
- rare
- Set
- Portal Second Age
- Price
- $1.22
- EDHREC rank
- #23855
Sylvan Basilisk kills whatever it blocks or is blocked by — deathtouch stapled to a 3/2 body for five mana is the whole pitch, and that cost is where the card falls apart. In a format where five mana buys you transformative threats, Sylvan Basilisk is a defensive speed bump that General Marhault Elsdragon decks run for tribal or reach reasons, not raw power.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
General Marhault Elsdragon
General Marhault Elsdragon rewards rampage, and Sylvan Basilisk trades its deathtouch for a body that grows when multiple creatures block it — pairing guaranteed kills with a pumping stat line is the exact interaction this commander wants to force on opponents.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Sylvan Basilisk is legal in Commander, Legacy, Modern, Vintage, and Oathbreaker, but competitive constructed formats ignore it entirely — five mana for a 3/2 deathtouch creature doesn't clear any playability bar when those formats move faster and demand more. Commander is the only home where it sees real play, and even there it sits at the low end of the power curve. The deathtouch-on-attack and block dynamic has niche value in creature-heavy metas, but most Commander tables have cleaner ways to handle threats at this price point.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$1.22 cheap tier
At $1.22, Sylvan Basilisk sits in the cheap tier — low enough that it won't hurt to own, but the price reflects the demand accurately. It's not a card that holds or climbs in value; pick it up if you need it, don't hold it expecting appreciation.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
- General Marhault Elsdragon
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.