Opaline Sliver MTG Card


Opaline Sliver grants card draw when targeted, refilling your hand while deterring opponents. It fits seamlessly into Sliver decks, enhancing strategy and synergy between cards. Restrictive mana and discard requirements may limit its use in non-Sliver-focused decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

All Slivers have "Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell an opponent controls, you may draw a card."

"When struck, its hide shimmers through sequences of color—a signaling language I am eager to unravel." —Rukarumel, field journal


Cards like Opaline Sliver

The Opaline Sliver is an intriguing creature within Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique ability that blends well in sliver decks. It bears similarity to cards like Armor Sliver, which augments Slivers on the field by providing additional toughness. Yet, Opaline Sliver stands distinguished by providing a draw card effect whenever a Sliver becomes the target of a spell.

Comparably, Crystalline Sliver also serves a protective role in a Sliver stack by granting all Slivers shroud, preventing them from becoming targets in the first place. This offers preemptive defense, yet it lacks the card draw engine that comes with Opaline Sliver’s triggered ability. On the other hand, Quick Sliver allows for Slivers to be played at flash speed, adding an element of surprise and tactical flexibility without directly helping in card advantage or protection.

When considering the synergy and strategic benefits within a Sliver deck, Opaline Sliver demonstrates its value by turning any targeted spells from opponents into an opportunity for card advantage, therefore maintaining momentum and resilience for Sliver strategies in Magic: The Gathering.

Armor Sliver - MTG Card versions
Crystalline Sliver - MTG Card versions
Quick Sliver - MTG Card versions
Armor Sliver - MTG Card versions
Crystalline Sliver - MTG Card versions
Quick Sliver - MTG Card versions

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Guiding Spirit - MTG Card versions
Samite Archer - MTG Card versions
Riptide Crab - MTG Card versions
Hanna, Ship's Navigator - MTG Card versions
Tolarian Emissary - MTG Card versions
Silver Drake - MTG Card versions
Soulherder - MTG Card versions
Soulsworn Jury - MTG Card versions
Minister of Impediments - MTG Card versions
Court Hussar - MTG Card versions
Azorius Herald - MTG Card versions
Jötun Owl Keeper - MTG Card versions
Thistledown Duo - MTG Card versions
Plumeveil - MTG Card versions
Silkbind Faerie - MTG Card versions
Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer - MTG Card versions
Talon Trooper - MTG Card versions
Wall of Denial - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Opaline Sliver provides a unique card advantage tactic by granting all Slivers you control the ability to draw a card whenever they become the target of a spell. This mechanic not only punishes your opponents for interacting with your creatures but also can keep your hand filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: While Opaline Sliver itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it synergizes with other Slivers that do, like Gemhide Sliver, by protecting these key pieces with its deterrent effect. The more Slivers on the field, the more intimidating your Sliver-based mana engine becomes.

Instant Speed: While Opaline Sliver is not an instant itself, it directly benefits from instant-speed interaction. Should your network of Sliver creatures be targeted during your opponent’s turn, each instance rewards you with card draw, turning their attempts to disrupt your strategy into opportunities for you to gain further value.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the challenges with Opaline Sliver is that to trigger its ability, another Sliver must become the target of a spell. In a game without abundant Slivers or a clear strategy, this requirement may not consistently work in your favor, leading to missed opportunities to utilize its card draw effect.

Specific Mana Cost: Opaline Sliver demands a precise combination of white and blue mana for casting. While this reflects its multicolored identity, it also imposes a restriction that might not synergize well with decks that are not focused on a blue-white or Sliver-centric strategy, potentially leading to mana complications.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two specific colors, Opaline Sliver might be considered cost-inefficient compared to other cards with similar effects that require less mana or offer more flexibility. This can be particularly noticeable during the early game stages when mana resources are limited, or in high-paced matches where speed is critical.


Reasons to Include Opaline Sliver in Your Collection

Versatility: Opaline Sliver enhances any Sliver deck by allowing each of your Slivers to draw a card upon being targeted, thereby protecting your board and refilling your hand.

Combo Potential: This card synergistically pairs with various Slivers and can be instrumental in creating powerful combos, especially with Slivers that have shroud or indestructible abilities.

Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve with frequent targeting removals, Opaline Sliver gains relevance by deterring opponents from targeting your creatures and helping maintain card advantage.


How to beat

Opaline Sliver presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This creature embodies the synergetic power of Slivers, granting its kin the ability to draw a card when targeted by spells or abilities that opponents control. Overcoming this card advantage requires a strategic approach. The key is to limit its ability to trigger by refraining from targeting Slivers or by using board wipes that don’t target, such as Supreme Verdict, to clear the board without allowing the Sliver player to draw cards.

Maintaining pressure and focusing on eliminating the Sliver’s support system can also hinder its effectiveness. Utilizing spells like Crippling Fear, which allows you to choose a creature type that isn’t affected, strategically removes Slivers while sparing your own creatures. Keeping in mind removals that exile creatures, like Path to Exile, can be useful in this matchup as they prevent graveyard retrieval, a common strategy among Sliver decks, further diminishing the resilience and long-term card advantage that Opaline Sliver could provide its controller.

Timing and precision are critical when facing the tactical world of Slivers. Understanding when and how to interact with them can be the difference between victory and defeat, making patient and calculated play the cornerstone of success against Opaline Sliver.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re looking to enhance your MTG Sliver deck, considering the Opaline Sliver is a prudent choice. This card turns your opponent’s spells into a source of card advantage for you, while its unique ability to deter targeted removal can be invaluable. Building a strategy around the synergies and combos it offers can significantly elevate your gameplay. Furthermore, its relevance in metagames prone to targeting removal makes it a formidable addition. Join us to delve deeper into tactics that leverage this card’s strengths, understand its potential shortcomings, and explore ways to secure victory against decks that employ it. Your MTG journey towards mastery continues with every card, and Opaline Sliver could be the next piece in your puzzle.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Opaline Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral 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 Opaline Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Opaline Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by Dave Dorman.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-10-06Time SpiralTSP 2442003NormalBlackDave Dorman
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6672015NormalBlackDave Dorman

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Opaline Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-07-01 Abilities that Slivers grant, as well as power/toughness boosts, are cumulative. However, for some abilities, like flying, having more than one instance of the ability doesn’t provide any additional benefit.
2013-07-01 If the creature type of a Sliver changes 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.