I can't believe noone's commented on the flavor text yet. I still chuckle every time I see it.
Anyway, for people who are wondering why this is considered better than Thicket Basilisk, notice that Sylvan Basilisk destroys them BEFORE anyone deals damage(Except for Throat Wolf's firstest strike, but he's OP'd anyway). Therefore, only indestructible creatures can truly block him. He's even BOLTPROOF!
Posted By:
NARFNra
(12/16/2010 6:05:39 PM)
Ultimate combo, After you add your lure to him, add a loxodon warhammer. Now that he has trample you will kill all your opponents creatures and still do damage to him/her while gaining life :) :) I win often do to this combo
Posted By:
xdoubleZx
(1/24/2013 7:07:20 AM)
This + Lure + Nacatl-Warpride = Epic Beating
Posted By:
Spideredd
(9/20/2009 4:37:30 AM)
This card + Lure = screw your opponents over
Posted By:
Guest2146443305
(6/26/2009 10:24:51 PM)
This plus Lure and we have a rare situation in which having vigilance becomes a liability
Posted By:
CheloniaMania
(9/26/2009 9:11:54 AM)
so are the monsters destroyed before combat?
Posted By:
awd91
(8/15/2010 10:21:06 AM)
It's a nice card, but for 5 CMC I find it often unplayable. I'd rather have a tangle asp+Dolmen Gate
Posted By:
Ixi640
(11/13/2010 1:33:11 PM)
@NARFNra - What's Throat Wolf?
Posted By:
Alsebra
(9/18/2012 11:03:19 AM)
Lure is obvious, of course, but what about Revenge of the Hunted? Board wipe and still swing for 8, along with whatever else you might have out.
Posted By:
Continue
(12/12/2012 5:33:42 PM)
A more aggressive variant of deathtouch - either the basilisk is let through to hit the player, or they're losing a creature a turn to the basilisk. See also Engulfing Slagwurm, a 7/7 with an even more powerful effect for only 
more.
Posted By:
Trygon_Predator
(11/25/2013 9:06:46 AM)