Leeching Sliver MTG Card


Leveraging Leeching Sliver can decisively shift game dynamics through enhanced attack potency without additional spells. Its presence in a sliver deck accelerates the game, turning each attack into a more critical, game-shortening event. While not an instant, it bolsters the threat of instant-speed Slivers, adding an element of surprise to combat.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Whenever a Sliver you control attacks, defending player loses 1 life.

"Seeing one slowly devour one of my party begged the question—do they know what cruelty is?" —Hastric, Thunian scout


Cards like Leeching Sliver

Leeching Sliver presents a curious dynamic within the Sliver tribe in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of predatory creatures that drain life with each attack. It holds a unique position among Sliver creatures, offering a consistent drain effect that can pile up quickly in a dedicated Sliver deck. A cousin to this specific effect is found in the form of Syphon Sliver, which grants Slivers lifelink, allowing each combat to swing life totals even more dramatically.

Another comparable card is Sedge Sliver, offering a different kind of resilience altogether. Where Leeching Sliver chips away life totals directly, Sedge Sliver bolsters the battlefield presence by granting a regenerative ability to your Sliver army, assuming you have a Swamp. This fortifies your Slivers against removal, a stark contrast to the aggressive nature of Leeching Sliver’s ability.

While assessing the Sliver arsenal, it becomes clear that Leeching Sliver holds its merit as an incremental damage dealer. Its ability to whittle down opponents’ life as your Slivers attack en masse makes it a card that can turn the tide in swarming Sliver strategies within Magic: The Gathering, aligning offensive pressure with the Sliver hive’s overarching theme of unity and shared power.

Syphon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Sedge Sliver - MTG Card versions
Syphon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Sedge Sliver - MTG Card versions

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

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
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Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Leeching Sliver. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
SliversSlivers ModernSliversModern Challenge 96 2023-12-09 (1)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Leeching Sliver offers a unique type of card advantage to sliver decks by enhancing the damage output of each sliver. This additive power can quickly tilt the board state in your favor without the need to cast additional spells, allowing you to put pressure on your opponents while keeping your hand prepared for any situation.

Resource Acceleration: While Leeching Sliver doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense, it indirectly speeds up the game pace for sliver decks. Each attack becomes more meaningful, potentially reducing the number of turns you need to close out the game. This can be seen as a form of temporal acceleration, ensuring your resources are spent more effectively on developing the board and dealing damage.

Instant Speed: Leeching Sliver itself is not an instant, but it enhances the potency of other instant-speed slivers by increasing their threat level upon entering the battlefield. This unexpected boost during combat or at the end of an opponent’s turn can serve as a powerful surprise tactic, tipping combat scenarios in your favor and making each sliver threat more formidable.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Leeching Sliver demands synergized gameplay centered around Slivers. Players without a Sliver-heavy deck might find this card a slot that does not complement their strategy, effectively becoming a card to discard during gameplay or deck building.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one black mana means this card might not seamlessly fit into every Sliver deck. Decks that do not run black mana often or at all may find it challenging to accommodate the Leeching Sliver without adjusting their mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana (one of which is black), when compared to other Sliver creatures, it may not seem overly expensive. However, in a fast-paced game where each mana point matters, there might be instances where playing a Leeching Sliver could lead to a slower board development, potentially hindering aggressive strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Leeching Sliver fits into a wide array of Sliver decks and can be a threat in cooperative play modes. Its ability to whittle down opponents’ life totals works well in both aggressive and long-game strategies.

Combo Potential: When combined with other Slivers, Leeching Sliver’s ability stacks for each attack, turning your Sliver swarm into a formidable engine that drains life with each declaration of attackers.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games can often turn into battles of attrition, having a card like Leeching Sliver that consistently diminishes your opponents’ life total can tip the scales in your favor, forcing opponents to respond or face an inevitable defeat.


How to beat

Leeching Sliver is a creature that can present a challenge on the battlefield in MTG. As part of a Sliver deck, it grants all Slivers a potentially devastating ability that siphons off your life total each time they attack. To tackle this menace, one effective strategy is managing the board. Including cards that can wipe out multiple creatures at once, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can reset the playing field. Relying on spot removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can also halt the swarm before it grows out of control.

Targeted removal spells can disrupt synergy by picking off crucial Slivers, thereby weakening the collective power of your opponent’s forces. Additionally, utilizing enchantments that restrict creature abilities or prevent them from attacking, such as Ghostly Prison or Propaganda, can be invaluable defenses against a horde of Slivers. Adjust your gameplay and deck to focus on managing the creatures your opponent depends on. That way, you’ll keep the upper hand and neutralize the threat of the Leeching Sliver.

Ultimately, understanding the mechanics and interplay of Sliver decks is imperative. Strategic removal and maintaining control over the tempo of the game will lead to successfully overcoming the challenges posed by Leeching Sliver and its kin.


BurnMana Recommendations

As an MTG enthusiast looking to optimize your gameplay, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Leeching Sliver is key. This card excels in a cohesive Sliver deck, elevating your swarm to a life-draining force to be reckoned with. Yet, it demands a specific mana base and a commitment to the Sliver strategy. Exploring synergies and metagame considerations can reveal new opportunities to leverage Leeching Sliver’s abilities. Balancing your deck to counteract its weaknesses is equally important. For ongoing strategic advice, in-depth card analysis, and expert deck-building tips, stay engaged with BurnMana. Here, you can deepen your knowledge and refine your strategy, ensuring your next match showcases the true power of your Sliver legion.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

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

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-07-18Magic 2015M15 1022015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6322015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 3442015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Leeching 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 Leeching 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.