Terrus Wurm MTG Card


Scavenge ability turns Terrus Wurm into a post-mortem asset, increasing other creatures’ potency. Demands specific mana but rewards with substantial in-game presence and versatility. Integrates well with graveyard-centric decks, offering substantial toughness for long games.
Terrus Wurm - Return to Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Wurm
Abilities Scavenge
Released2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameReturn to Ravnica
Set codeRTR
Power 5
Toughness 5
Number80
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCliff Childs

Text of card

Scavenge (, Exile this card from your graveyard: Put a number of +1/+1 counters equal to this card's power on target creature. Scavenge only as a sorcery.)

"We follow it through its tunnels, and where it dies, we farm." —Mihas, spore druid


Cards like Terrus Wurm

Terrus Wurm stands as a formidable creature within the vast pantheon of Magic: The Gathering. Its kin of ground-shaking creatures includes the likes of Sifter Wurm, both harbingers of sizeable power and toughness. The Sifter Wurm brings an additional boon to the battlefield; upon entry, it allows you to scry three, then gain life equal to the top card’s mana cost. Terrus Wurm may not boast this benefit, but it compensates with its Scavenge ability, permitting you to bolster another creature in the late game.

Comparable also is Boneyard Wurm, a creature that thrives on graveyard synergy similar to Terrus Wurm. Its power and toughness are equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard, potentially surpassing the static 5/5 of Terrus Wurm. However, the Terrus Wurm’s Scavenge ability can turn any creature into a significant threat, making it a versatile option for both offense and utility. Another peer in this group is Golgari Grave-Troll, famous for its dredge ability, which further enhances graveyard strategies, yet, its initial impact on the board is less predictable compared to the consistent presence offered by Terrus Wurm.

When evaluating the strategic advantages of these behemoth creatures in Magic: The Gathering, Terrus Wurm’s reliability in size and the tactical edge provided by its Scavenge ability ensure it remains a worthy contender for deck inclusion, especially in graveyard-centric gameplay.

Sifter Wurm - MTG Card versions
Boneyard Wurm - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions
Sifter Wurm - MTG Card versions
Boneyard Wurm - MTG Card versions
Golgari Grave-Troll - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Terrus Wurm by color, type and mana cost

Lord of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Minion of Tevesh Szat - MTG Card versions
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Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
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Patron of the Nezumi - MTG Card versions
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Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
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Butcher of Malakir - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Minion of Tevesh Szat - MTG Card versions
Minion of Leshrac - MTG Card versions
Cateran Overlord - MTG Card versions
Deathbringer Regent - MTG Card versions
Black Dragon - MTG Card versions
Reaper of Night // Harvest Fear - MTG Card versions
Zombie Brute - MTG Card versions
Patron of the Nezumi - MTG Card versions
Pus Kami - MTG Card versions
Tresserhorn Skyknight - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl the Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Phage the Untouchable - MTG Card versions
Ebon Dragon - MTG Card versions
Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Sheoldred, Whispering One - MTG Card versions
Sutured Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Abhorrent Overlord - MTG Card versions
Fell Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Butcher of Malakir - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Terrus Wurm provides a considerable presence on the field, and when it dies, Scavenge allows you to redistribute its power to other creatures, effectively maintaining card value even from the graveyard.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly impacting your mana pool, Terrus Wurm’s Scavenge ability offers a form of long-term resource acceleration by enhancing your creatures, making them more formidable threats without needing additional cards.

Instant Speed: While Terrus Wurm is not played at instant speed, its relevance lies in its capacity to bolster your creatures at any time you can pay its Scavenge cost, potentially catching an opponent off guard during combat or end of their turn.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Terrus Wurm comes with a mana cost that is specifically demanding in black mana sources, which may not fit seamlessly into multi-colored or non-black centered decks, reducing its versatility in various gameplay scenarios.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total of seven mana required to bring Terrus Wurm onto the battlefield, its cost is on the higher side, which can be a setback in faster-paced games where lower-cost creatures could be put into play much earlier, impacting the overall tempo in favor of the opponent.

Discard Requirement: While not directly impacting its casting, the reliance on graveyard mechanics means that having to discard Terrus Wurm instead of casting it might be necessary to activate its potential in certain deck strategies, which is a risk considering the card itself doesn’t facilitate self-discard.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Terrus Wurm can seamlessly slot into a variety of deck themes, particularly those that exploit graveyard strategies or require beefy creatures. Its ability to scavenge and turn into a resource after its demise makes it valuable in multiple game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card possesses inherent synergy with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or require sacrificing creatures for greater effects. Its scavenge ability can make it a key piece in growing threats on the board or interacting with other cards that thrive off of creatures in the graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where attrition and resilience are vital, Terrus Wurm stands out. Its substantial toughness and scavenge ability provide lasting power in long games, making it a strong contender against various decks in the evolving meta.


How to beat

Terrus Wurm can be a daunting presence in MTG, thanks to its Scavenge ability which turns it into a resource even after it’s been dealt with. To triumph over this creature, players should focus on utilizing removal spells that exile rather than destroy to prevent the Wurm from returning as a boon for its owner. Examples include Path to Exile or Silencing the Critics. Alternately, countering the creature before it hits the battlefield, with spells like Cancel or Essence Scatter, can be a smart and resource-efficient tactic.

Targeted graveyard removal spells, such as Relic of Progenitus or Leyline of the Void, can also be strategic assets, effectively neutralizing the Scavenge ability by clearing out the Wurm before its owner has the chance to use it. Moreover, board control strategies should not be underestimated. These can halt the creature’s initial impact on the battlefield, giving you an edge in managing your opponent’s threats. Keeping in mind that Terrus Wurm thrives in the late game, accelerating your own strategy to apply pressure early can help in outpacing and eventually beating this persistent threat in MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Terrus Wurm MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Terrus Wurm and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Terrus Wurm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 Exiling the creature card with scavenge is part of the cost of activating the scavenge ability. Once the ability is activated and the cost is paid, it’s too late to stop the ability from being activated by trying to remove the creature card from the graveyard.