Constricting Sliver MTG Card


Provides card advantage by exiling creatures, a powerful benefit in creature-heavy matchups in MTG. Demands a six-mana cost and a fellow Sliver, challenging to cast but rewarding in the right conditions. Its versatility and combo potential make it a formidable choice for MTG Sliver deck connoisseurs.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Sliver creatures you control have "When this creature enters the battlefield, you may exile target creature an opponent controls until this creature leaves the battlefield."

Slivers are often seen toying with enemies they capture, not out of cruelty, but to fully learn their physical capabilities.


Cards like Constricting Sliver

Constricting Sliver carves its niche in the realm of Magic: The Gathering’s Sliver species, a particularly synergistic group that empowers one another. Comparable to its kin, such as the Sinew Sliver that boosts fellow Slivers’ power, Constricting Sliver stands out with its unique ability to exile creatures an opponent controls until it leaves the battlefield. This effect parallels the Oblivion Ring’s temporary removal, yet is ingrained in a creature that benefits from the Sliver’s communal enhancements.

When measuring against other creature removals, it’s akin to Fiend Hunter, with the prominent difference being that Fiend Hunter’s effect is triggered on entrance alone, while Constricting Sliver affects the battlefield persistently. It does come with a heftier mana cost, reflecting its potential to continually disrupt opponents’ strategies as new Slivers are played. Additionally, addressing multiple threats is not a stretch, given the right Sliver assembly.

Thus, while there are several utilitarian options for temporary creature control in Magic: The Gathering, Constricting Sliver’s combination of exile-based control and tribal benefits renders it an interesting tactical choice in Sliver-themed decks that aim to commandeer the board with strategically versatile pieces.

Sinew Sliver - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Fiend Hunter - MTG Card versions
Sinew Sliver - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Fiend Hunter - MTG Card versions

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Alabaster Dragon - MTG Card versions
Elite Archers - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Radiant Solar - MTG Card versions
Guardian Archon - MTG Card versions
Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions
Shieldmage Elder - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Avenger - MTG Card versions
Noble Templar - MTG Card versions
Silverstorm Samurai - MTG Card versions
Oathsworn Giant - MTG Card versions
Deathless Angel - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
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Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Constricting Sliver offers a unique form of card advantage by removing your opponents’ threats from the game. Each Sliver you control gains the ability to exile any creature it blocks or becomes blocked by, diminishing your opponent’s resources without losing your own.

Resource Acceleration: This capability aligns perfectly with Sliver decks that aim to flood the battlefield with a multitude of these synergistic creatures. It functions as a force multiplier—each Sliver becomes that much more of a threat. This acceleration in effective resource usage can overwhelm your opponent with its exiling effect.

Instant Speed: While the Constricting Sliver itself doesn’t have instant speed, it upgrades the nature of your Sliver forces, enabling immediate reactions to threats during combat. This instant impact on the battlefield each turn where Slivers are present can dictate the pacing of the game, often to your advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As a critical aspect to keep in mind with the Constricting Sliver, you must be aware of the potential setback when activating its exile ability. Each time you take advantage of this ability, it’s contingent upon you having another Sliver on the battlefield to sacrifice. This condition can become a hurdle if your board presence is weak or you’re facing removal-heavy decks.

Specific Mana Cost: Constricting Sliver demands a precise blend of mana to cast—six mana in total, with one of them being white. This specificity can be restricting in multicolor Sliver decks that might struggle with mana fixing, thereby delaying your access to this card’s benefits.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Constricting Sliver is on the higher end of the spectrum, especially when compared to other Slivers with powerful effects. While it does provide a potentially game-altering ability by exiling target creatures, there are scenarios when deploying a six-mana creature might not be the most pace-efficient move, particularly against faster, more aggressive decks.


Reasons to Include Constricting Sliver in Your Collection

Versatility: Constricting Sliver offers a unique mechanic that can be incorporated into various Sliver decks, lending itself to diverse strategies. This ability to adapt the board state by exiling opponents’ creatures adds flexibility in responding to threats.

Combo Potential: When combined with other Slivers, the card’s ability grows exponentially, potentially locking down the battlefield and exiling multiple creatures to clear the way for your assault. It’s a powerful enabler for Sliver synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where creature-based strategies dominate, Constricting Sliver becomes a strong meta choice. Its power to remove key pieces from opponents’ game plans can disrupt their tempo and swing matches in your favor, proving its worth against various popular deck types.


How to Beat

Constricting Sliver makes an imposing impression in the battlefield, giving every Sliver the power to exile creatures they block or are blocked by. To address this looming threat, it’s crucial to prevent it from leveraging its ability. Targeted removal, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can effectively remove Constricting Sliver before it can become an obstacle. Board wipes like Wrath of God also sidestep its exile trigger by not allowing it to block.

Counterspells offer another path to dominance against this Sliver. By interrupting its casting, cards like Counterspell or Negate can stop the menacing ability from ever hitting the board. Swift and strategic spellcasting becomes the key to victory. Similarly, leveraging creature abilities that don’t involve combat, such as those from cards like Reclamation Sage or Ravenous Chupacabra, can neutralize the Sliver without having to engage it in battle.

Ultimately, defeating Constricting Sliver hinges on a preemptive approach and a well-prepared arsenal of spells. With the right strategy and responsive play, even the tightest grip of the Constricting Sliver can be loosened, allowing a savvy MTG player to triumph over the potential control it exerts on the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Commanding a Sliver deck with the addition of Constricting Sliver can be a formidable move, upturning the tides of battle to your favor. Its ability to remove opponents’ key creatures adds a layer of strategy and dominance. Yet its high mana cost and specific requirements remind players to balance their decks to offset these limitations. As you continue to adapt and strengthen your Sliver legion, remember these insights to bolster your gameplay. Discover more ways to optimize your collection and encounter effective strategies by diving deeper into the synergistic universe of Sliver decks with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Constricting 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 Constricting Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Constricting Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-07-18Magic 2015M15 72015NormalBlackKarl Kopinski
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6112015NormalBlackKarl Kopinski
32023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8182015NormalBlackLoïc Canavaggia

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Constricting Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Constricting 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 Auras attached to the exiled creature will be put into their owners’ graveyards (unless they’re Theros block cards with the bestow ability). Equipment attached to the exiled creature will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled creature will cease to exist.
2014-07-18 Constricting Sliver gives Slivers you control an ability that causes a zone change with a duration, a newer style of ability that’s somewhat reminiscent of older cards like Oblivion Ring. However, unlike Oblivion Ring’s abilities, this ability creates two one-shot effects: one that exiles the creature when the ability resolves, and another that returns the exiled card to the battlefield immediately after the Sliver leaves the battlefield.
2014-07-18 If a Sliver leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, the target creature won’t be exiled.
2014-07-18 If a Sliver you control leaves the battlefield, only the card that particular Sliver exiled will return to the battlefield. Each card exiled by another Sliver will remain exiled until that Sliver leaves the battlefield.
2014-07-18 If a creature token is exiled, it ceases to exist. It won’t be returned to the battlefield.
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 In a multiplayer game, if the Sliver’s owner leaves the game, the exiled card will return to the battlefield. Because the one-shot effect that returns the card isn’t an ability that goes on the stack, it won’t cease to exist along with the leaving player’s spells and abilities on the stack.
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.
2014-07-18 The Sliver that enters the battlefield is the source of the ability that exiles the creature. For example, if a blue Sliver enters the battlefield under your control, the ability can target and exile a creature with protection from white.
2014-07-18 The exiled card returns to the battlefield immediately after the Sliver leaves the battlefield. Nothing happens between the two events, including state-based actions. The two creatures aren’t on the battlefield at the same time. For example, if the returning creature is a Mercurial Pretender, it can’t enter the battlefield as a copy of the Sliver.
2014-07-18 The exiled card will return even if the Sliver whose ability exiled it doesn’t have that ability at the time (perhaps because Constricting Sliver is no longer on the battlefield).
2014-07-18 The exiled card will return to the battlefield under its owner’s control.
2014-07-18 When Constricting Sliver enters the battlefield, the ability it gives itself will trigger.