Wormfang Behemoth MTG Card


Enables card advantage by reanimating creatures, optimizing use of your card resources. Demands strategic deck construction due to its unique exile and mana requirements. Despite its power, careful play is essential to mitigate the Behemoth’s drawbacks.
Wormfang Behemoth - Judgment
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Nightmare Fish Beast
Released2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set nameJudgment
Set codeJUD
Power 5
Toughness 5
Number55
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byHeather Hudson

Text of card

When Wormfang Behemoth comes into play, remove all cards in your hand from the game. When Wormfang Behemoth leaves play, return the removed cards to their owner's hand.


Cards like Wormfang Behemoth

Wormfang Behemoth carves out its niche in the sea of blue creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It’s similar to other large blue creatures like Inkwell Leviathan for its evasion abilities. However, Wormfang Behemoth, with its sacrifice mechanic, demands a higher strategic placement in decks. Unlike Inkwell Leviathan, which provides straightforward trample and islandwalk features, Wormfang Behemoth can be used to voluntarily reset your own board state or recover from certain graveyard strategies.

When it comes to other comparable creatures, we can look at Roaming Ghostlight which embodies both large size and bouncing permanents to a player’s hand. However, it falls short in terms of raw power when matched against the Behemoth. Also noteworthy is Phantom Monster, a bluer staple with flying. Yet again, its lower power and toughness figures do not stand up to the intimidating presence of Wormfang Behemoth on the board.

After considering the power dynamics and unique interactions presented by Wormfang Behemoth, it clearly makes a strong case for inclusion in decks that can capitalize on both its might and the peculiar sacrifice requirement, highlighting its distinction from the usual big blue bruisers.

Inkwell Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Roaming Ghostlight - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Inkwell Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Roaming Ghostlight - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Wormfang Behemoth by color, type and mana cost

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Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The casting of Wormfang Behemoth can be a pivotal moment in a game, as it allows you to reanimate a creature from your graveyard without paying its mana cost. This effectively gives you access to two creatures while only using one card, providing a significant advantage over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Even though Wormfang Behemoth does not directly generate mana or reduce costs, it embodies resource acceleration by bypassing mana costs of the reanimated creature. This can catapult you ahead by putting a high-cost creature onto the battlefield much earlier than normally possible.

Instant Speed: While Wormfang Behemoth itself does not operate at instant speed, its interaction with creatures that do can be game-changing. By bringing an instant-speed creature back from the graveyard, you maintain the element of surprise and flexibility that is crucial in responding to an opponent’s threats during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Wormfang Behemoth asks for a discard as an entrance ticket to the battlefield, which can be a tough pill to swallow, especially when your hand is already feeling the pinch of a tight duel.

Specific Mana Cost: This leviathan of the deep blue requires a dedicated resource pool, with its mana cost demanding both generic and blue mana. For players not drowned in islands, this can lead to choppy waters when trying to summon it on time.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that reaches towards the higher currents, it competes with other sea monsters and alternatives that might provide an equally impactful presence for less. In the world of summoning colossal creatures, efficiency is as valuable as the beast itself.


Reasons to Include Wormfang Behemoth in Your Collection

Versatility: Wormfang Behemoth offers a unique dynamic to gameplay as it necessitates exile of one of your own lands upon entry. However, this can be turned to your advantage in decks designed to manipulate exile mechanics or benefit from temporary land sacrifice.

Combo Potential: This creature can be a critical piece in combo chains, especially in reanimator strategies or alongside cards that return lands to the battlefield, potentially unlocking powerful landfall triggers with each cycle.

Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment that leans heavily towards control decks, Wormfang Behemoth can serve as a substantial threat due to its significant power and toughness. Its presence on the board demands answers, potentially clearing the way for other strategies in your deck to unfold.


How to Beat

Wormfang Behemoth is one of those Magic: The Gathering cards that can tilt the battlefield in your favor with its massive presence. Sporting an imposing 6/6 stat line, this creature can pose a real challenge. The trade-off, however, comes with the downside of having to exile one of your own lands when it enters the battlefield, requiring careful timing and strategy when summoning it to the board. To effectively counter this behemoth, a well-timed removal spell such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can be key, eliminating the threat before its size becomes unmanageable. Moreover, countering it while on the stack prevents the exile penalty, preserving your land resources. Additionally, control decks that can manage the pace and resources of the game stand a good chance against Wormfang’s late-game impact. Utilizing board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the field, setting back your opponent’s momentum.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of hand disruption. Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can pluck this creature out before it even hits the board. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Wormfang Behemoth, players can develop strategies that ensure this deep-sea nightmare doesn’t dominate the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wormfang Behemoth MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Wormfang Behemoth and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wormfang Behemoth has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal