Thorncaster Sliver MTG Card


Thorncaster Sliver gives a damage-dealing ability to Sliver creatures, enhancing their offensive capabilities. It works as a game accelerator by clearing a path for other creatures without using additional mana. The high mana cost and specific color requirements may limit the Sliver’s inclusion in some decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Sliver creatures you control have "Whenever this creature attacks, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player."

Every inch of a sliver's body is a potential claw, appendage, or projectile.


Cards like Thorncaster Sliver

Thorncaster Sliver asserts its presence in the realm of creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering, resembling other Sliver cards that boost the collective power of their kind. Standing in comparison, Predatory Sliver offers Slivers a straightforward power increase, which, unlike Thorncaster Sliver, does not hinge on the attack phase or involve dealing direct damage. While both cards enhance your Sliver army, they do so from different tactical angles.

Another card to consider alongside Thorncaster Sliver is the Venom Sliver, giving all Slivers deathtouch, a trait allowing any amount of damage they deal to be lethal to creatures. This creates a significant board control aspect but lacks Thorncaster Sliver’s ability to chip away at an opponent’s life total directly or clear potential blockers from a safe distance.

Evaluating these options, Thorncaster Sliver is distinct in its utility—offering direct damage that can be leveraged for both offensive pressures and defensive control, especially when combined with high-density Sliver boards. This distinguishes it within the framework of MTG’s Sliver-based strategies, where each card contributes uniquely to the hive-like synergy that Slivers are known for.

Predatory Sliver - MTG Card versions
Venom Sliver - MTG Card versions
Predatory Sliver - MTG Card versions
Venom Sliver - MTG Card versions

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

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
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Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
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Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
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Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Shard Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Soul of Magma - MTG Card versions
Hunted Dragon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Thorncaster Sliver provides unique advantage by enabling all your Slivers to deal damage to any target upon attacking. This can lead to the accumulation of value as it allows you to potentially pick off opponents’ creatures or even chip away at their life total turn after turn.

Resource Acceleration: While Thorncaster Sliver itself doesn’t directly produce mana or other resources, its ability can be considered a form of indirect acceleration. The ability to remove key blockers or utility creatures of your opponent can accelerate your game plan by clearing the path for other creature-based strategies to thrive unabated.

Instant Speed: Although Thorncaster Sliver operates at sorcery speed—activating only during the combat phase—its ability is inherently flexible. It doesn’t require any additional mana input during your turn, meaning you can develop your board and still utilize its effect without having to reserve mana as you would for an instant. This allows for more efficient use of resources each turn, functioning in a way similar to having the reach that instant speed interactions offer.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Thorncaster Sliver doesn’t directly require discarding cards, it’s part of the Slivers tribe, which means it can prompt aggressive deck thinning to find more of its kind. This strategy often leads to a smaller hand, effectively mimicking a discard requirement.

Specific Mana Cost: Thorncaster Sliver demands a precise mana alignment, requiring both red and green which may not seamlessly fit into every Sliver deck’s mana base. This specificity can hinder its playability in a meta where flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Needing five mana to summon, Thorncaster Sliver competes with various high-impact cards that could potentially offer immediate game-changing effects. Players may find it challenging to justify its inclusion based on mana cost alone without considering the broader synergy within a Slivers deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Thorncaster Sliver slides seamlessly into any Sliver deck, amplifying its power by offering additional damage with every Sliver attack. Its ability to give all Slivers you control a ping effect doesn’t just add up to meaningful damage; it also can strategically remove problematic creatures and planeswalkers or just speed up your victory clock.

Combo Potential: Coupled with cards that create multiple Sliver tokens or those that untap your creatures for additional attacks, this card can exponentially increase your damage output. It’s a linchpin in combos that can swiftly turn the tide of a game, making it a must-have for players who love intricate and explosive plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies dominate, having a Thorncaster Sliver gives you an edge. It deters opponents from deploying smaller creatures and can continuously chip away at their life total, all while you build up your Sliver legion for a devastating alpha strike.


How to beat

When facing off against the Thorncaster Sliver in Magic: The Gathering, you’re up against a card that can turn a player’s sliver strategy into a hive of difficult-to-handle threats. The Thorncaster provides all other slivers with a potent ping ability, causing damage to add up quickly as the sliver army grows. Defeating this strategy isn’t about confronting the swarm head-on; it’s about disrupting their synergy and targeting this key piece of the puzzle.

Effective measures include playing removal spells that can target Thorncaster Sliver directly, ideally before its triggered ability can be used multiple times. Board wipes are also a strong counter, as they can clear multiple slivers at once, regardless of how many have been buffed. Enchantment-based removal that can sidestep the hexproof ability some slivers grant is also useful, so look for cards like Oblivion Ring or Cast Out. Remember to keep an eye on your opponent’s mana and sliver count; the best time to strike is when they’re tapped out and unable to leverage the Thorncaster’s ability to its fullest potential.

Ultimately, the key is to remain proactive and prevent the sliver player from establishing their board. Keep your removal at the ready, and don’t let the Thorncaster Sliver’s presence dictate the pace of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

As Slivers rally in numbers, Thorncaster Sliver rises as a cornerstone of their collective might, offering a steady stream of damage and board control. Embrace the sliver legion by adding this card to your collection, enhancing your sliver-based strategies and gaining an edge in creature-heavy metas. Looking to disrupt an opponent’s plan or find that ideal combo piece for your deck? The Thorncaster Sliver can be your answer. Join our community to discover tips, strategies, and ways to optimize your MTG deck with this unique card and others, ensuring you’re always one step ahead in battle.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Thorncaster Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 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 Thorncaster Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Thorncaster Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by Trevor Claxton.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1582003NormalBlackTrevor Claxton
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6452015NormalBlackTrevor Claxton

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Thorncaster Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Thorncaster 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 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.
2013-07-01 If you control multiple Thorncaster Slivers and a Sliver you control attacks, each ability will trigger separately.