How Many MTG Sliver Cards Are There? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of how many Sliver cards exist in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a common one, especially for players fascinated by this unique and synergistic creature type. The short answer is that there are a total of 109 distinct Sliver cards in the game, encompassing various colors, abilities, and rarities. This number accounts for all individual Sliver card designs that have been printed across different sets. But the Sliver story doesn’t stop there; let’s delve deeper into this fascinating hive mind and explore some frequently asked questions.
Sliver Card Breakdown
Understanding the makeup of the 109 Sliver cards requires a look at their distribution across colors and card types. Here’s a breakdown based on information through Commander Legends:
- White Slivers: 20
- Blue Slivers: 15
- Black Slivers: 15
- Red Slivers: 21
- Green Slivers: 18
- Artifact Slivers: 3
- Multicolored Slivers: 23
This distribution highlights that while Slivers are predominantly creatures, they’ve been printed in every color, including a few colorless artifact variations. The large presence of multicolored slivers underscores their ability to integrate various color identities into a powerful, synergistic strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slivers
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the world of Slivers:
What MTG Sets Feature Slivers?
Slivers have appeared in several Magic: The Gathering sets over the years, making them a recurring and beloved theme. Key sets that have included Slivers are:
- The Tempest block (Tempest, Stronghold, Exodus) – This is where Slivers were introduced.
- The Onslaught block (Onslaught, Legions, Scourge)
- The Time Spiral block (Time Spiral, Planar Chaos, Future Sight)
- Magic 2014 (M14)
- Magic 2015 (M15)
- Modern Horizons
- Commander Masters
These sets collectively showcase the evolution of Sliver design and the variety of abilities they possess.
Are Sliver Decks Legal?
Yes, Sliver decks are legal in various MTG formats. Many players enjoy building Sliver decks, particularly in formats like Commander. The article you provided specifically mentions a custom-built Sliver Deck being legal in Modern. However, it’s crucial to note that legality often depends on the specific format and its card pool restrictions. For example, while a custom-built Sliver deck might be legal in a casual setting, the same deck may not be fully legal in a sanctioned Modern tournament if the cards are not legal in that format.
Are Slivers Banned in MTG?
No, Slivers themselves are not banned in any major Magic: The Gathering formats. Although, there is the mention of Sliver Queen being on the Reserved List. This means she will not be reprinted, which drives up her cost. Slivers, despite their powerful synergistic nature, haven’t been deemed too overpowered to warrant a ban. This makes them a popular choice for players looking for a unique and potent tribe-based strategy.
What is the Best Sliver Commander?
The most popular and arguably best Sliver commander is Sliver Overlord. Printed in Scourge, this legendary Sliver has the extremely powerful ability to search your library for any Sliver card and put it into your hand, giving you consistent access to the right Sliver for any situation. This consistency and versatility make him the top choice for many Sliver players. The First Sliver is also another potent option, which gives all of your Slivers Cascade, turning them into aggressive spells.
Is Sliver Banned in Commander?
No, Sliver cards are generally legal in the Commander format, provided they are regular-sized, black- or white-bordered cards officially released by Wizards of the Coast. Silver-bordered cards, which are considered humorous or “un-cards,” are not legal in Commander or other constructed formats. This means all 109 regular slivers are legal for use.
Are Slivers Good?
Absolutely! Slivers are considered a very strong tribe in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in the Commander format. Their ability to stack buffs and abilities across all Slivers on the board makes them a formidable force, capable of overwhelming opponents with a powerful combination of power, toughness, and diverse abilities.
How Do Sliver Decks Work?
Sliver decks revolve around the idea of synergy. Each Sliver grants abilities or stat boosts to all other Slivers on the battlefield. This means that by playing more Slivers, you’re not just adding more creatures to the board; you’re making every Sliver more powerful. For example, if you have two different slivers in play, then they both have the abilities of the other. This results in a cumulative effect, quickly creating a massive army with a diverse skill set.
What is the Rarest Commander Card?
While the article mentions that the Jeweled Lotus (Textured Foil) is often considered the rarest card in Commander, it is not a Sliver card. It’s important to distinguish this for a question about Slivers. There is no particular sliver that is considered extremely rare. However, Sliver Queen is a very expensive card because it’s on the Reserved List and is highly sought after by players, making it difficult to find and expensive.
What Are the Best Slivers in MTG?
Determining the “best” Slivers depends on the context, but some standouts consistently make the list for their impact on gameplay:
- Cloudshredder Sliver: Haste and flying makes this an aggressive choice.
- Gemhide Sliver/Manaweft Sliver: These offer mana ramp, allowing players to deploy more Slivers quickly.
- Harmonic Sliver: Provides removal by destroying artifacts and enchantments.
- Quick Sliver: Allows you to play slivers with flash to play them on your opponent’s turns
- Sliver Gravemother: Gives Slivers encore, letting them attack from the grave and then be exiled.
- Predatory Sliver/Muscle Sliver/Sinew Sliver: These give Slivers +1/+1, +1/+0, or +0/+1 respectively.
- Galerider Sliver: Gives all Slivers flying making it an aggressive choice.
These Slivers illustrate the breadth of abilities the tribe possesses and their versatility across different strategies.
Is Sliver Queen a Sliver?
Yes, Sliver Queen is indeed a Sliver. As a legendary creature, she counts as a Sliver, and also has the ability to create Sliver tokens, which are 1/1 colorless creatures and also count as slivers. This makes her a powerful card that synergizes with other slivers.
Which Sliver Makes Mana?
Manaweft Sliver and Gemhide Sliver are the primary Slivers for mana ramp. They allow all your Slivers to tap for mana, enabling you to cast more powerful spells sooner and accelerating your board development. This is particularly useful in slower, more controlling Sliver decks.
Is There a Sliver Precon?
Yes, the Sliver Swarm preconstructed deck from Commander Masters is specifically designed for Sliver enthusiasts. This deck offers a great starting point for new players interested in the tribe and provides a solid base for experienced players to build upon.
Are Slivers Phyrexian?
The article states that Slivers are already Phyrexian. This suggests that they are immune to certain threats like Yawgmoth’s power. However, this is actually incorrect as this is a widely-held misconception among players. Slivers are not Phyrexians and they are not immune to Yawgmoth’s power.
Why is Erayo Banned in Commander?
Erayo, Soratami Ascendant is banned in Commander due to her problematic flip condition and ability. If four spells are cast in a turn, she flips to become Erayo’s Essence, which causes opponents to struggle to play spells. She was banned because her ability was designed without the Commander format in mind.
Why Is Flash Banned in Commander?
The card Flash was banned in Commander because of the Flash Hulk combo, where the card was used to create extremely powerful combo decks. It has become an overwhelming strategy that is warping the format and the ban was implemented to address this issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are 109 unique Sliver cards in Magic: The Gathering, spread across various colors and sets. Their synergistic nature and the powerful abilities they grant each other have made Slivers a beloved and enduring tribe in MTG. They are a powerful force in formats like Commander, where their ability to rapidly grow and gain diverse abilities makes them a formidable opponent. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, exploring the world of Slivers offers a unique and rewarding gameplay experience.