Virulent Sliver MTG Card


Anchors Sliver decks with its potential to introduce poison counters, bypassing standard damage strategies. Challenges opponents to swiftly counter or face escalating threats that can rapidly end games. High mana cost and color specificity may require deck adjustments to maximize efficacy.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

All Sliver creatures have poisonous 1. (Whenever a Sliver deals combat damage to a player, that player gets a poison counter. A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game.)


Cards like Virulent Sliver

Virulent Sliver slides into MTG decks as a unique offering in the Sliver creature family. When sizing it up against other Slivers, the Poisonous ability truly sets it apart. This feature on Virulent Sliver means it adds a layer of strategy, capable of defeating opponents with poison counters, as opposed to reducing life totals. A similar creature, Plague Sliver, offers a higher power and toughness but poses a drawback by potentially damaging its controller each turn.

Looking further, we find Predatory Sliver, which provides an overall power boost to all Slivers on the battlefield but doesn’t threaten with poison counters. This makes Virulent Sliver invaluable for players aiming to win via the alternative poison-based victory condition. Another comparable card, Muscle Sliver, also grants a universal boost but again lacks the poison mechanic, falling short in niche tactical scenarios where Virulent Sliver shines.

Ultimately, Virulent Sliver holds a special position within MTG’s Sliver tribe, as it embodies the potential for swift, unorthodox victories that are characteristic of this diverse creature type. The card’s distinct approach to winning games makes it a formidable inclusion for Sliver-focused strategies seeking to exploit poison counter mechanics.

Plague Sliver - MTG Card versions
Predatory Sliver - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Plague Sliver - MTG Card versions
Predatory Sliver - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions

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

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Hana Kami - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions
Scryb Sprites - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Ghazbán Ogre - MTG Card versions
Shanodin Dryads - MTG Card versions
Wall of Wood - MTG Card versions
Village Elder - MTG Card versions
Spike Drone - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
Elvish Berserker - MTG Card versions
Tree Monkey - MTG Card versions
Wild Dogs - MTG Card versions
Elvish Herder - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Jaguar - MTG Card versions
Scavenger Folk - MTG Card versions
Willow Geist - MTG Card versions
Nimble Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Elvish Lyrist - MTG Card versions
Elvish Pioneer - MTG Card versions
Hana Kami - MTG Card versions
Norwood Ranger - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
SliversSlivers PauperSliversMonthly Tournament #35
Selesnya SliversSelesnya Slivers PauperSlivers2° Tappa - Season 7 - Road to Paupergeddon Spring edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana
Four-color SliversFour-color Slivers PauperSliversBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
Sliver Sliver SliverSliver Sliver Sliver PauperSliversTappa LP Comense Pauperissima "Road to Milano" @Magic Akiba
Rogue DecklistsRogue Decklists PauperSliversNacional Pauper 2023
Sultai FlashSultai Flash Vintage2023 Asia Vintage Championship

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Virulent Sliver doesn’t directly offer card draw, but it becomes a must-answer threat on board, indirectly contributing to card advantage as opponents must deal with it quickly or face the consequences.

Resource Acceleration: While not accelerating resources in the usual sense, each Sliver played thereafter benefits from the poisonous ability Virulent Sliver provides, effectively creating an accelerated threat level that opponents must address.

Instant Speed: Although Virulent Sliver itself is not instant speed, it synergizes well with other Sliver cards that do oftentimes have flash, allowing for a rapid and unexpected increase in power during opponents’ turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The synergy of Virulent Sliver often hinges on having multiple Slivers on the field, which can force players to discard other potentially crucial cards to maintain that synergy, limiting strategic flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: Virulent Sliver requires green mana, which can restrict its integration into decks that don’t normally utilize green or multicolored mana bases, possibly requiring a rework of the deck’s structure to accommodate it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its potentially game-ending poison ability, the mana cost for Virulent Sliver can be considered high when compared to other one-drop Slivers, meaning that it competes for the valuable early mana resources that could be used for more aggressive board setup or control.


Reasons to Include Virulent Sliver in Your Collection

Versatility: Virulent Sliver is a unique card that can slide into an array of Sliver decks, enhancing their mechanic with its poisonous ability. Its low mana cost enables early gameplay deployment, providing a strategic advantage from the onset.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in combination with other Slivers, as each one gains the poisonous ability, which stacks and can lead to a quick victory without dealing traditional damage. It tends to synergize well with proliferate mechanics that can increase poison counters exponentially.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where one-on-one games are prevalent, or where life gain strategies slow down aggressive decks, Virulent Sliver can shift the tide by bypassing life totals and focusing on poison counters as an alternate win condition.


How to beat

Virulent Sliver poses a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its potent poison counter ability. This card has the potential to end games swiftly, especially within a Sliver deck, where its ability can stack with multiple Slivers on the battlefield. Facing such a threat requires a strategy that disrupts the synergy among Slivers and tackles the poison counters mechanism effectively.

One effective method is to prioritize removal spells that can target multiple creatures, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which can clear the board of all creatures and reset the buildup of Slivers. Another avenue is to utilize spells like Pithing Needle or Phyrexian Revoker that can specifically name Virulent Sliver, preventing the activation of its abilities. Additionally, ensuring a deck has sufficient interaction with instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can help manage the Slivers before they become an overwhelming force. Lastly, incorporating life gain or hexproof-inducing cards can help cushion the blow from poison counters and make them less impactful.

In essence, the key to beating Virulent Sliver lies in disrupting its synergies, efficiently handling the creatures, and deploying preventative measures against the poison counters. With careful planning and the right cards, overcoming this slippery adversary is well within any skillful player’s reach.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embracing the cunning and swift-moving nature of Slivers is essential for any MTG player looking to harness the unpredictable edge in their gameplay. The Virulent Sliver awaits, its venomous potential emerging as a dark horse in creature-based strategies. This card isn’t merely about combat wins—it’s about redefining victory through poison counters. We understand the unique dance of building a synergistic collection and the thrill of optimizing every card’s role. It’s time to upgrade your Sliver strategy and possibly outmaneuver opponents with these insidious creatures. Join us and unravel deeper tactics, ensuring your Sliver deck isn’t simply another contender, but a formidable architect of defeat.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Virulent Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Premium Deck Series: Slivers, 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 Virulent Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Virulent Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Franz Vohwinkel.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-05-04Future SightFUT 155futureNormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
22009-11-20Premium Deck Series: SliversH09 22003NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 659Φ2015NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6592015NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
52020-09-26The ListPLST FUT-155futureNormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel
62021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 2462015NormalBlackFranz Vohwinkel

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Virulent Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Virulent 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 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.
2021-03-19 A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game as a state-based action, even if no permanents with poisonous are on the battlefield.
2021-03-19 If a creature has multiple instances of poisonous, each triggers separately.
2021-03-19 Poisonous 1 causes the player to get just one poison counter when a Sliver deals combat damage to them, no matter how much damage that Sliver dealt.