Greater Basilisk is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Deathtouch (Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.)
Complete guide
Greater Basilisk is a classic green creature that embodies the primal lethality of its namesake. While its stats might seem straightforward, its deathtouch keyword makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield that can take down the largest foes. Understanding how this creature interacts with combat damage is key to controlling the board.
The Power of Deathtouch
Greater Basilisk possesses the deathtouch keyword, a static ability that changes the rules of combat damage. Any amount of damage dealt by this creature to another creature is considered lethal damage. Even if Greater Basilisk only deals 1 damage to a creature with high toughness, that creature will be destroyed when state-based actions are checked.
Combat Step-by-Step
When Greater Basilisk enters combat, it proceeds through the following steps: First, it is declared as an attacker or blocker. Second, damage is assigned. Because of deathtouch, if Greater Basilisk is blocked by multiple creatures, you only need to assign 1 damage to the first blocker to consider it 'lethally damaged' before moving the remaining damage to the next blocker. Finally, any creature dealt damage by Greater Basilisk is destroyed immediately after damage is dealt.
Common Misconceptions
A common mistake is thinking deathtouch requires the creature to survive combat to work. If Greater Basilisk and its blocker deal damage to each other simultaneously and both take lethal damage, they both die; the deathtouch effect still applies even as Greater Basilisk leaves the battlefield. Additionally, deathtouch only applies to damage, so it does not bypass effects that say a creature 'cannot be destroyed' or has 'Indestructible'.
Strategic Implementation
Greater Basilisk is best used as a deterrent. On defense, it can trade with your opponent's most expensive and powerful threats, regardless of their size. On offense, it forces difficult choices, as opponents are often unwilling to lose their best creatures just to stop 3 points of damage.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf Greater Basilisk attacks and is blocked by Solemn Simulacrum, the Basilisk deals 3 damage to the Golem. Since any amount of damage from a deathtouch source is lethal, Solemn Simulacrum is destroyed. The Golem's controller will then get to draw a card due to its 'dies' trigger, but the creature itself is gone.
Roaming ThroneIf an opponent controls Roaming Throne (having chosen 'Golem') and blocks Greater Basilisk, the Basilisk deals damage to the Throne. Despite Roaming Throne having Ward {2}, Ward only triggers when a creature is targeted by a spell or ability. Deathtouch is a static ability that applies during damage, not a targeted effect, so Greater Basilisk will destroy Roaming Throne without its controller needing to pay any extra mana.
If a massive 10/10 creature attacks you and you block with Greater Basilisk, the Basilisk deals 3 damage to the attacker. Because of deathtouch, that 3 damage is enough to destroy the 10/10 creature. Both creatures will be put into their owners' graveyards simultaneously.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Greater Basilisk
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
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Meta decks with Greater Basilisk
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