a really useful card. for only two mana, you get a 1/1 body and either draw a nonland card or even put a land directly into play. i wonder how a creature can simultaneously be an elf and a snake, though :D
thaviel
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(4 votes)
Heh, we have a guy at our table that plays these and we call them snelfs (for snake elf) and Sneld for (snake elf druid) ^.^
True_Mumin
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(8 votes)
There is still space in the type line, he should have been made a Snake Elf Druid Mutant to have the most printed creature types ever. :P Well anyway, he's really good, especially if you can bounce him and re-use that ability. Nulltread Gargantuan really likes this guy. ;) 4,5/5.
Loozar402
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(5 votes)
This card would've been great even if its ability was just "When this card comes into play, draw a card." But the fact that you can potentially put a land into play (and untapped nonetheless) just makes a great card awesome. It's even more awesome if you use something like Ponder to stack your draws.
Sholux
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(3 votes)
@Mode Simultaneously an elf and a snake => Only in Simic is such a thing possible. ^^
Keegan__
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(3 votes)
I wish it had you draw the card if it wasn't a land for my Lorescale Coatl deck.
Donovan_Fabian
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Yes since its simic its like a biogenetically engineered mutant, although why they want to turn people into snakes I'm not sure (simic is blue green though as a lot of snakes are). @ truemumin use this card with shinobi's that have ninjutsu, and you can possibly replay it several times before it gets killed.
Mana
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(5 votes)
Hmm, maybe this card is a thumb up for Leto II from Dune, the man (Or Sand Worm) who can see the future and control Arrakis :D
TreeTrunkMaster
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Might be usefull with landfall abilities.
CatsAreCthala
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
The snake crawled up the elf's... food and he ate it. Anyways Simic guys are genetic mutaters.
True_Smog
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I use to dislike this card, but I was wrong, it's a good card.
EvilCleavage
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I'll give him flying with phantom wings and then sac it, or bring in a flier, kor skyfisher preferably, and bounce this baby like a basketball.
Eltervag
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(1 vote)
If you underestimate this card, play it with Nulltread Gargantuan and watch your opponent's eyes light up when you play your Murkfiend Liege really early.
Jiffypoplol
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(3 votes)
Only reason i dont use this because it isnt a static draw card for lorescale, other than that it's a solid card and either keeps a card advantage or gives the perfect land one.
Tsuichoi
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Loozar402 agreed, that would have just made this card epic! Decent card, great art.
Shadoflaam
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(4 votes)
snake elf? ravnica was weird...
HairlessThoctar
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(16 votes)
R&D member Matt Place once called this "the perfect magic card".
I'm inclined to agree.
This card is 100% upside.
Polkovnik_Skyfox
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
All the people talking about this being a snake and an elf have never seen abomination Razorfin Hunter.
AssKickingBoots
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Technically, you don't draw a card when this enters the battlefield, you put a card in your hand. The Johnny in me knows there has got to be some stupid way to take advantage of this.
Anyway, great card. Solid candidate for slapping on a Soul Foundry.
jinxedidol
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
One of the best staples in my favorite color combination. Alongside Sakura Tribe Elder (also a 2 drop snake!) can provide enough chump block and ramp that you instantly breeze yourself into mid game.
Came across this in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012, Revenge mode. I was not happy to be so thoroughly annihilated. This was a common?
Superllama12
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(8 votes)
When I heard that Matt Place had called this "the perfect magic card," I didn't believe him, thinking "how could a 1/1 for be any good?" Then, I heard about card advantage and thought "how can that help you?" Then, I built a deck with card advantage, and it was amazing, and I thought "maybe this guy isn't so bad". Then, I used him. I was an instant convert.
5/5
AngusMcSillyWilly
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Top notch all around. I love when cards that are cheap, awesome and versitile also have really cool art. Any better and he would be bordering on broken for this cost.
Bazooka99
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
I wish they would use this improved card draw mechanic more often. (New keyword mechanic for Magic 2013, perhaps?) Being able to play lands immediately after drawing them makes revealing one less of a disappointment, and a significant advantage during the first few turns. So far we've only seen the Coiling Oracle mechanic repeated in Skyward Eye Prophets and Your Fate Is Thrice Sealed. There's so much more that could be done with it, though: sorceries that go 2-3 cards deep; an improved Ophidian; maybe even an enchantment that turns all your draws into Coiling Oracle draws.
Guest1381794618
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Halimar Depths and this synergize quite well. Especially if you find a Useful nonbasic that has a ETB trigger such as Llanowar Reborn, Simic Growth Chamber to reset your Halimar, or even another Halimar.
At the very least he's a dork that replaces himself. Once you start toolboxing around with him in the typical green/blue fashion he starts getting very good indeed.
TrueBloodWolf
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Turn 1: Halimar Depths (2nd Card: Land) Turn 2: Forest, Play this card, Put the Land on the field.
Meh, not as exciting as a Turn 2 8/8 or something Wood Sage could do.
Kontrah
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
The amount of mana ramp and card draw I have received with this, Momentary Blink and a Cloudstone Curio is insane. Often heard from my playgroup: "WHY IS IT ONLY A COMMON"
ZEvilMustache
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
add one mana and make him a 2/2... mmmmm
Hivis_of_the_Scale
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(5 votes)
elf snake, but no mutant?
LlanowarEmissary
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
@Loozar402
Then it would just be an Elvish Visionary, which has less of a color restriction. Wall of Omens and Wall of Blossoms also can-trip for the same CMC. The real power of this card over these alternatives, which are fine cards in their own right, lies in the mana acceleration it provides if you can stack the top of your library correctly. And, seeing as this card is blue, there are plenty of cards that can help you do just that.
4.5/5 for me for being a very well-designed card, flavorful, and common (what?)
LordRandomness
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
So...Elvish Visionary that provides mana acceleration if a land is on top. In {U}, so if you find a land with Ponder etc. you can set it up to hit play, accelerating you AND stopping the land draw so you get to draw something else.
o_O.
Havrekjex
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Yeah, it's great. I do have one small complaint, and that's that it doesn't trigger Lorescale Coatls ability, which is a shame, since they're both GU, they're both snakes, and they're in different mana slots.
Still 5/5.
JaxsonBateman
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Looove putting this in UGx decks. For 2 mana, it's either an Elvish Visionary, or a Rampant Growth on a 1/1 that can also hit nonbasics. What's not to love?
It's also a key constituent of the UG deck in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012, and even if it's the only target for a kicked Rite of Replication (though it usually isn't), it still isn't terrible.
Kuhrun
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Can you put the land into play even though you had a land entering the bettlefield before casting this?
Ralithune
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
@Kuhrun: Yes, you can put a land into play for your regular turn land in addition to the effect from Coiling Oracle.
The rules forum is the place for questions like that, and they have a LOT of really helpful information you should definitely read:
Something simple like darksteel pendant is useful. A permanent that allows the caster to draw after it comes into play is so strong because, to play it, it didn't force you to lower your hand size. So many cards in the game do that.
xytor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is my favorite card in magic. Its "Enters the battlefield" effect can be abused with blinks, it gives card and/or land advantage, it costs only two in my favorite color combination, and it's a creature to boot. Amazing!
eonsofevil
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
4 coiling oracle with 4 explore can give you a quick start.
TheAmberSpyglass
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card made Simics attractive to play. UG was always hard to play because I am very flavor-oriented and that was never a good combo for me.
Black_Sun28
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I can't believe they considered making this a 2/2.
Morgaledh
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Wow. If anyone asks me "? Isn't that a little odd? I see, and yeah , but this?" I just tell them to look at this card, and they get it.
Lueseto
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
{U}{G}est creature around. He truly embodies all that is Simic.
Necropotencia
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Any seasoned MTG player will tell you that card advantage and mana ramp are among the most effective and powerful strategies in the game.
Stealth.
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Often this is Explore on a stick, really sweet card. One of my favourites. I just don't get why it's a Snake Elf Druid. Just Snake Elf would've been enough really.
richardshort
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Not only is he a card advantage machine, but he's a fricken Snake Elf Druid! How can you not love that? That's going to be my next D&D character right there. What no Snake Elves? Make one, STAT!
WarioMan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I've always been a Simic freak since I saw the guild, what it stood for, and its colors. I've always tried fitting this dude into every deck I could because of its ability, which is essentially cantripping but better. With the advent of Gatecrash some really cool Elves that can have synergy with the other popular elf creatures (Joraga Warcaller, Master Biomancer working REALLY well with the +1/+1 elves like Elvish Archdruid) I decided to make a GU Elf deck. I had space for like 2 cards so I hastily poked through my GU stuff and came across this guy forgetting it was an Elf because it was never relevant before to me and cast it aside. I go on here to look up good elf cards as options and out comes this guy. I take a second look and notice "HOLY S*** IT'S AN ELF." and made room for 4 of these dudes. This is just such an amazing card.
5/5 for arbitrarily being an Elf as well as being a kickass card in any situation.
RedAtrocitus
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is pretty close to Explore plus a 1/1 body. And considering Explore is pretty close to Time Walk....
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Another thing to note is he keeps you from drawing another land. I.E. You will topdeck your next spell one turn sooner with him; which is very good for creating/maintaining tempo.
FlingIt
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I LOVE SIMIC CREATURE TYPES
"Snake Elf Druid"
4.5/5
OstravaBoletaria
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This thing is ridiculous. It's cheap, it's ramp, it's card advantage and its a snake elf druid. What's not to love?
Dragonshoredreamz
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I'm utterly amazed by how useful and incredible this card is. Truly mind-boggling.
yesennes
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Run this in EDH with Prime Speaker Zeganna as commander. I soulbind Deadeye Navigator to this over Zeganna. So much pace.
Should have been: "When this enters the battlefield look at the top card of your library. If it is a land you may put it on the battlefield. Else draw a card." So I doesn't reveal my Plasm Capture, and triggers Lorescale Coatl and Horizon Chimera.
questionflanger
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
For most EDH applications, this card is a better pick than Lotus Cobra. Drawing the card AND/OR skipping a dead turn is always relevant, especially late game.
Carl_Miller
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If only this were a Naga :(
SevesDariku
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
For anyone complaining about the reveal effect, instead of the "look" effect, this is prettymuch the way every card like this works. If a card cantrips but either does, or has the chance to do something special depending on the card you draw, you will reveal it. As far as I can tell, it's mostly to remove the possibility of cheating, but also to provide a small downside in letting your opponent know what you got.
As far as 'put into your hand' instead of 'draw a card'... Eh, you got me. Technically it can also be a good thing, as it prevents harassment from cards like Notion Thief, Pain Seer, Underworld Dreams, Nekusar, the Mindrazer, Spirit of the Labyrinth, and so on... Mind you, I'm not saying that balances it out (as there are FAR more cards YOU can have that benefit from drawing, than cards your opponent will have that punish drawing), but just throwing it out there.
Comments (58)
for only two mana, you get a 1/1 body and either draw a nonland card or even put a land directly into play.
i wonder how a creature can simultaneously be an elf and a snake, though :D
Simultaneously an elf and a snake => Only in Simic is such a thing possible. ^^
Decent card, great art.
I'm inclined to agree.
This card is 100% upside.
Anyway, great card. Solid candidate for slapping on a Soul Foundry.
5/5
At the very least he's a dork that replaces himself. Once you start toolboxing around with him in the typical green/blue fashion he starts getting very good indeed.
Turn 2: Forest, Play this card, Put the Land on the field.
Meh, not as exciting as a Turn 2 8/8 or something Wood Sage could do.
Then it would just be an Elvish Visionary, which has less of a color restriction. Wall of Omens and Wall of Blossoms also can-trip for the same CMC. The real power of this card over these alternatives, which are fine cards in their own right, lies in the mana acceleration it provides if you can stack the top of your library correctly. And, seeing as this card is blue, there are plenty of cards that can help you do just that.
4.5/5 for me for being a very well-designed card, flavorful, and common (what?)
o_O.
Still 5/5.
It's also a key constituent of the UG deck in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012, and even if it's the only target for a kicked Rite of Replication (though it usually isn't), it still isn't terrible.
The rules forum is the place for questions like that, and they have a LOT of really helpful information you should definitely read:
http://community.wizards.com/go/forum/view/75842/134778/rules_qamp;a
5/5
5/5 for arbitrarily being an Elf as well as being a kickass card in any situation.
"Snake Elf Druid"
4.5/5
Should have been: "When this enters the battlefield look at the top card of your library. If it is a land you may put it on the battlefield. Else draw a card." So I doesn't reveal my Plasm Capture, and triggers Lorescale Coatl and Horizon Chimera.
As far as 'put into your hand' instead of 'draw a card'... Eh, you got me. Technically it can also be a good thing, as it prevents harassment from cards like Notion Thief, Pain Seer, Underworld Dreams, Nekusar, the Mindrazer, Spirit of the Labyrinth, and so on...
Mind you, I'm not saying that balances it out (as there are FAR more cards YOU can have that benefit from drawing, than cards your opponent will have that punish drawing), but just throwing it out there.