Engulfing Slagwurm MTG Card


It provides board control by destroying any blocked or blocking creature, while also gaining you life. Demands non-combat removal tactics like Murder or Path to Exile to effectively counter its presence. While mana-intensive, its game impact and versatility make it a valuable asset to green-centric decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Wurm
Power 7
Toughness 7

Text of card

Whenever Engulfing Slagwurm blocks or becomes blocked by a creature, destroy that creature. You gain life equal to that creature's toughness.

Its teeth exist only for decoration.


Cards like Engulfing Slagwurm

Engulfing Slagwurm is a monstrous presence among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the battlefield with other behemoths like Pelakka Wurm, which also offers robust stats and a life-gaining ability upon entering the game. However, the Engulfing Slagwurm stands out due to its unique ability to destroy any creature it blocks or gets blocked by and subsequently allows you to gain life equal to that creature’s toughness.

Looking at Thragtusk, we find a creature that provides life gain as well, with a lower mana cost and the added benefit of leaving a token behind when it leaves the battlefield. Despite these benefits, Thragtusk lacks the Engulfing Slagwurm’s sheer power and game-swinging potential during combat. Another notable comparison is with Verdant Sun’s Avatar which guarantees life gain with each creature you play, but it doesn’t have the same level of board control as Engulfing Slagwurm.

In assessing the cards closely linked to Engulfing Slagwurm, it’s apparent that this creature excels in delivering a unique combination of combat control and life gain, making it an impactful choice for players seeking to dominate encounters with large creatures in MTG.

Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Verdant Sun's Avatar - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Thragtusk - MTG Card versions
Verdant Sun's Avatar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Engulfing Slagwurm by color, type and mana cost

Thorn Elemental - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions
Cultivator Colossus - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Horde - MTG Card versions
Krosan Tusker - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Hundroog - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ancient Ooze - MTG Card versions
Cytospawn Shambler - MTG Card versions
Panglacial Wurm - MTG Card versions
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Duskdale Wurm - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Kalonian Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Maul Splicer - MTG Card versions
Thorn Elemental - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions
Cultivator Colossus - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Horde - MTG Card versions
Krosan Tusker - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Hundroog - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ancient Ooze - MTG Card versions
Cytospawn Shambler - MTG Card versions
Panglacial Wurm - MTG Card versions
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Duskdale Wurm - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Kalonian Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Maul Splicer - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Engulfing Slagwurm provides an intrinsic card advantage by potentially eliminating an opponent’s creature each time it blocks or becomes blocked, thereby tipping the balance of the board in your favor without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: Though it doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana or tokens, its presence on the battlefield can act as a deterrent against opponents attacking, allowing you to safely build up your lands and other resources unimpeded.

Instant Speed: While Engulfing Slagwurm itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability can have an immediate impact during the combat phase, which is a critical moment in the game. It demands instant-speed responses from your opponent, thereby influencing their play and resource allocation.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engulfing Slagwurm doesn’t force you to discard cards to play it, which can be considered a benefit; however, it’s important to manage your hand effectively to support its high mana cost.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a considerable amount of green mana to cast, the Slagwurm can be restrictive in multi-colored decks that may struggle to produce enough green mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven mana value to summon this creature to the battlefield, some players may find the cost steep. In fast-paced games, the Engulfing Slagwurm might arrive too late to significantly impact the game’s outcome.


Reasons to Include Engulfing Slagwurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Engulfing Slagwurm serves as a powerful option for any green deck that capitalizes on creature strength. Its ability to deal with threats through its lethal damage-dealing capability makes it a solid choice for both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that allow it to block multiple creatures, or with effects that force your opponent to attack, Engulfing Slagwurm becomes a key player in devastating combos, potentially clearing multiple threats in one combat phase.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based decks are prevalent, Engulfing Slagwurm asserts itself as a meta-relevant card. Its presence can turn the tides of a creature-heavy match-up, making it an invaluable addition to your green-centric line-up.


How to beat

Confronting the Engulfing Slagwurm can be daunting, as this formidable creature from Magic: The Gathering has the power to single-handedly dictate the pace of the battlefield. With its ability to destroy any creature it blocks or is blocked by, and you gaining life equal to that creature’s toughness, direct combat is often a losing proposition. However, overcoming this behemoth is not insurmountable.

To neutralize the threat of Engulfing Slagwurm, consider removal spells that don’t involve combat, such as Murder or Path to Exile. These spells can bypass the Slagwurm’s deadly combat ability, clearing the way without risking your creatures. In addition, utilizing exile effects or forcing a sacrifice are effective means to handle this green monstrosity without engaging it directly. Facing Engulfing Slagwurm in battle demands strategic planning, and with the right tools, you can ensure that this creature’s engulfing presence on the battlefield is short-lived.

Overall, Engulfing Slagwurm may at first seem an insuperable obstacle, but through the careful selection of non-combat removal tactics, you can manage even the mightiest of creatures the game has to offer without putting your own forces at risk.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the MTG realm rewards the strategic thinkers and those keen on leveraging powerful creatures like Engulfing Slagwurm. As you marshal your resources, consider the Slagwurm’s ability to fend off attackers and to shape the battlefield to your advantage. This card can be a game-changer in the right setup, and mastering its use is part of the greater journey in MTG. Want to delve deeper into strategies, uncover synergies, and find out how to best integrate the Engulfing Slagwurm into your deck? Join us on this venture and elevate your game to awe-inspiring heights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Engulfing Slagwurm MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Engulfing Slagwurm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Engulfing Slagwurm Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Jaime Jones.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 1182003NormalBlackJaime Jones
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6552015NormalBlackJaime Jones

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Engulfing Slagwurm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-01-01 As each ability resolves, the amount of life you gain is equal to the appropriate creature’s current toughness (if it’s somehow still on the battlefield), or its toughness as it last existed on the battlefield (in all other cases).
2011-01-01 Engulfing Slagwurm’s ability triggers and resolves during the declare blockers step. Creatures destroyed this way will not deal combat damage.
2011-01-01 Even if the ability of an attacking Engulfing Slagwurm destroys each creature blocking it, Engulfing Slagwurm won’t deal combat damage to the player or planeswalker it’s attacking unless it somehow gains trample.
2011-01-01 If Engulfing Slagwurm’s ability resolves and the other creature is not destroyed (perhaps because it has already left the battlefield or it regenerates), you’ll still gain life equal to that creature’s toughness.
2011-01-01 If your Engulfing Slagwurm blocks or becomes blocked by multiple creatures, its ability triggers that many times. Each trigger will be associated with a specific creature. You choose which order to have the abilities resolve.