Belligerent Sliver MTG Card


Grants valuable first strike to Slivers, enhancing their combat prowess and board stability. Early deployment potential with low mana cost, speeding up your Sliver tribal strategy. While not an instant, the first strike benefit can significantly influence battle outcomes.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Sliver creatures you control have "This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures."

"The slivers became adept at provoking a fear response in other species." —Hastric, Thunian scout


Cards like Belligerent Sliver

Belligerent Sliver presents an enticing option for MTG players looking to amplify their Sliver creatures’ offensive abilities. Among Slivers, it shares a kinship with cards like Bonescythe Sliver which offers double strike to all Slivers, effectively doubling their damage potential without confinement to blocked creatures. However, Belligerent Sliver is unique as it allows Slivers to only be blocked by two or more creatures, creating strategic combat scenarios.

Looking at other creature enhancements, Goblin War Drums is an older card providing a similar effect for all creatures you control, not just Slivers. It demands a broader defensive alignment from your opponent, thereby pressuring them considerably during attacks. Yet, the tribal synergy inherent to Sliver cards can’t be overstated, and that’s where Belligerent Sliver’s real value lies.

Analyzing these cards unveils Belligerent Sliver’s role within MTG as a fundamental piece in Sliver decks that desire to maintain relentless aggression. By forcing unfavorable blocks, Belligerent Sliver upholds its status in making your Sliver legion a formidable threat.

Bonescythe Sliver - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions
Bonescythe Sliver - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Drums - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Belligerent Sliver by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
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Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
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Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Stone - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Commando - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Belligerent Sliver provides a distinct benefit by empowering all Sliver creatures you control with first strike, potentially deterring opponents from blocking or attacking, and thus preserving your board presence.

Resource Acceleration: This Sliver’s low mana cost facilitates early deployment, helping to escalate the presence of your Sliver army quickly and efficiently on the battlefield, which in turn can lead to a swifter victory.

Instant Speed: While Belligerent Sliver itself is a creature card and not an instant, its first strike ability effectively allows your Slivers to deal combat damage first, which can be a game-changer in battles, especially when timed well with other instant-speed interactions in your deck.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Belligerent Sliver may not explicitly ask you to discard cards, its presence in a deck necessitates a sliver-focused strategy which can reduce the versatility of your hand, as the card is only as effective as the sliver companions you hold or have in play.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a precise mana cost that includes red, this card commits you to a color combination that may not align with all deck designs. This requirement can be restrictive and could potentially disrupt more flexible mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that could be considered steep for its effects, Belligerent Sliver requires a significant investment before it comes into play. While it offers advantageous abilities, it faces tough competition from other creatures or spells at a similar or lower cost bracket.


Reasons to Include Belligerent Sliver in Your Collection

Versatility: Belligerent Sliver offers flexibility in deck building. It empowers Sliver decks by granting your Slivers the significantly advantageous ability to only be blocked by two or more creatures, making it harder for opponents to fend off your attacks efficiently.

Combo Potential: This card works well in synergy with other Sliver cards that either boost the team or provide additional abilities. Pairing Belligerent Sliver with evasion-granting Slivers can create an almost unblockable attacking force, leveraging the tribal nature of Slivers to its full potential.

Meta-Relevance: In contexts where Sliver decks are prevalent or particularly strong, introducing Belligerent Sliver can tip the scales in your favor. Its ability to disrupt typical blocking strategies can make a significant difference in matches, making it a relevant addition to your collection for competitive play.


How to beat

Belligerent Sliver poses a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to grant Slivers you control Menace, making them harder to block. This ability can quickly escalate if your opponent is building a Sliver-focused deck. To effectively counter this, consider using removal spells that don’t depend on targeting individual creatures, like board wipes, which can clear multiple creatures at once regardless of their abilities. Another strategy is utilizing spells or enchantments that restrict your opponent’s ability to attack or block, therefore neutralizing the advantage provided by Menace. It’s also beneficial to manage the growth of your opponent’s Sliver population by targeting the key combo pieces early on before their board becomes too overwhelming.

Lastly, focus on creating a robust defense that can hold off against Menace. This could involve creatures with high toughness or those with abilities that negate combat damage. Your sideboard should be equipped with tools specific to combating Sliver decks, which might include extra removal spells or enchantments that limit creature abilities. By hindering the synergy upon which Sliver decks thrive, you’ll have a fighting chance against the aggressive nature of Belligerent Sliver.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG gameplay involves strategic choices and understanding the synergies within your deck. Belligerent Sliver stands out as a powerful addition to any Sliver strategy, enabling your creatures to evade easy blocks with its Menace ability. If you’re assembling a Sliver deck or looking to strengthen your current lineup, this card’s inclusion could prove pivotal during combat, dictating the pace and outcome of your matches. To unlock its full potential and integrate it seamlessly into your MTG endeavors, dive deeper with us. Discover effective tactics, build resilient strategies, and ensure your Sliver swarm dominates the battlefield. Explore more and optimize your Sliver deck with expert insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Belligerent Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Secret Lair Drop, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Belligerent Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Belligerent Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Raymond Swanland.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-07-18Magic 2015M15 1292015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6362015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
32021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 4152015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Belligerent Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Belligerent Sliver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2014-07-18 Abilities that Slivers grant, as well as power/toughness boosts, are cumulative. However, for some abilities, like indestructible and the ability granted by Belligerent Sliver, having more than one instance of the ability doesn’t provide any additional benefit.
2014-07-18 If you change the creature type of a Sliver you control so it’s no longer a Sliver, it will no longer be affected by its own ability. Its ability will continue to affect other Sliver creatures you control.
2014-07-18 Slivers in this set affect only Sliver creatures you control. They don’t grant bonuses to your opponents’ Slivers. This is the same way Slivers from the Magic 2014 core set worked, while Slivers in earlier sets granted bonuses to all Slivers.