Quick Answer

River Serpent is a common Creature — Serpent from AKH (AKH) costing {5}{U}. Current price: $0.04 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

River Serpent MTG card

River Serpent

Creature — Serpent

Card Text

This creature can't attack unless there are five or more cards in your graveyard. Cycling {U} ({U}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Though the Luxa River brings life to Naktamun, it's not without dangers.

Card Stats

5/5 common CMC: 6.0 AKH AKH 🎨 Christopher Moeller
Cycling

What kind of card is this?

Use these role hubs to find similar staples, upgrades, and answers.

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.04
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.47
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$1.49
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.08
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.23
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-16

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Penny Legal
Pioneer Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (2 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is River Serpent? Basics

River Serpent is a Creature — Serpent card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "This creature can't attack unless there are five or more cards in your graveyard. Cycling {U} ({U}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)"

How much mana does River Serpent cost to cast? Basics

River Serpent has a mana cost of {5}{U}, which equals 6.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

River Serpent's mana cost of {5}{U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

River Serpent has a mana value of 6.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

River Serpent's current oracle text is: "This creature can't attack unless there are five or more cards in your graveyard. Cycling {U} ({U}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)"

What is the current price of River Serpent? Pricing

The current market price for River Serpent is approximately $0.04 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.47 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.08 EUR.

Where can I buy River Serpent? Pricing

You can purchase River Serpent from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

River Serpent normal: $0.04 | foil: $0.47

Is River Serpent legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for River Serpent in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is River Serpent legal in Modern? Legality

River Serpent is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is River Serpent legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

River Serpent is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is River Serpent legal in Pioneer? Legality

River Serpent is Legal in Pioneer format.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is River Serpent legal in Legacy? Legality

River Serpent is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is River Serpent legal in Vintage? Legality

River Serpent is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is River Serpent legal in Pauper? Legality

River Serpent is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is River Serpent from? Details

This printing of River Serpent is from AKH (AKH), with collector number 66.

River Serpent may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is River Serpent's rarity? Details

River Serpent is a common card in AKH.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated River Serpent? Details

River Serpent was illustrated by Christopher Moeller.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is River Serpent's power and toughness? Details

River Serpent is a 5/5 creature.

Power (5) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (5) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

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