Battering Sliver MTG Card


Battering Sliver enhances sliver synergy, granting the aggressive trample ability to bolster your army. It could be a liability against discard strategies or decks demanding a multicolor approach. Versatility and meta relevance make Battering Sliver a valuable addition to sliver-centric collections.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

All Slivers have trample.

Covered with hard shell-like plates, these slivers burrow through solid rock to carve out new nests for their hives.


Cards like Battering Sliver

Battering Sliver holds a distinct position among the sliver creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It elevates its kindred with the powerful ability to grant all Slivers the poignant “Trample” trait. In the realm of comparable cards, we have to consider Bonescythe Sliver, which confers the lethal “Double Strike” ability, albeit without Trample. While Trample enables damage overflow through blockers, Double Strike offers a similar enhancement by potentially doubling damage output to creatures and players alike.

Looking to the mighty Megantic Sliver, another kin in the family, it clutches a different buff by providing a significant +3/+3 to all Slivers on the field. Although the Battering Sliver doesn’t pump stats to such a degree, the Trample ability can be crucial in converting overwhelming force into actual game-ending damage. Finally examining Predatory Sliver, this creature also bolsters the power of its Sliver companions, but only by +1/+1. Despite its lower impact, it comes with the added advantage of a lower mana cost and thereby quicker deployment on the battlefield.

Ultimately, each of these Slivers has unique benefits and can be powerful in the right deck. Battering Sliver especially shines when the goal is to surpass defensive lines and push through for the win.

Bonescythe Sliver - MTG Card versions
Megantic Sliver - MTG Card versions
Predatory Sliver - MTG Card versions
Bonescythe Sliver - MTG Card versions
Megantic Sliver - MTG Card versions
Predatory Sliver - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Battering Sliver’s presence on the battlefield enhances the performance of other sliver cards in your deck, combining their abilities to create an unstoppable force and drawing you deeper into an advantageous position as you outmaneuver your opponent with a growing arsenal of synergetic creatures.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable card doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, but its role in a sliver deck means that each drop can lead to a compounded board presence, effectively accelerating your path to victory by creating an overwhelming force your opponent must answer to.

Instant Speed: While Battering Sliver doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, it can benefit from other sliver effects that may grant all your slivers flash, thereby allowing you to summon slivers at instant speed, maintain the element of surprise and adapt your strategy dynamically in response to the evolving game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Battering Sliver may seem like a powerhouse with its potential to provide all of your Slivers with the formidable trample ability. However, the position that Battering Sliver holds in your deck strategy can be unstable when facing decks that force you to discard. Not only does the loss of a card put you at a resource disadvantage, but the reliance on having Battering Sliver remain in your hand until the perfect moment can backfire if your opponent targets your hand with discard spells or effects.

Specific Mana Cost: Nestled firmly in red mana dependency, Battering Sliver imposes a deck design challenge. Its specific mana cost requires a commitment to red mana sources, which can pigeonhole your deck into a narrower band of the color pie. Decks with a flexible or multicolored base may find it tricky to efficiently integrate Battering Sliver without compromising their mana curve or color diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands four mana, Battering Sliver enters the battlefield later than some may wish. While it equips all your Slivers with trample, there are creatures and effects at lower mana costs that could provide a similar advantage sooner. This can impact the tempo of your game, especially when facing agile, low-cost decks capable of establishing board presence while you’re still gathering the necessary mana to cast Battering Sliver.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Battering Sliver brings a level of aggression to any Sliver deck, giving all Slivers you control the trample ability, which can be incredibly useful in games where your battlefield is cluttered with blockers.

Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well with other Slivers, enhancing their innate synergies. With Battering Sliver, you can push through more damage, making it a key piece in Sliver-based combo strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Battering Sliver ensures your army of Slivers can overcome chump blockers and deal substantial damage, keeping your deck competitive in the current meta.


How to beat

Battering Sliver presents a challenging component on the battlefield for players with its impactful ability to grant all Slivers the formidable “first strike” ability. Despite its potential to create an aggressive Sliver strategy, there are a few focused strategies to successfully challenge it. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can be effective as they can clear the board of Slivers, including Battering Sliver, without concern for the first strike ability. Spot removal spells like Path to Exile or Terminate can also be utilized to single out and remove Battering Sliver before it pivots the game in your opponent’s favor.

Control decks have the advantage of countering creatures like Battering Sliver through spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak, preventing them from ever entering the battlefield. Enchantment-based removals such as Journey to Nowhere or Detention Sphere are also an option, isolating Battering Sliver and essentially rendering it harmless. Finally, establishing a superior board presence with larger creatures or those with “deathtouch” can deter the Slivers from attacking. No matter the method you choose, efficient removal and control are key to overcoming the challenge that is Battering Sliver.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG isn’t only about amassing powerful cards but making strategic choices, especially when building your collection. Battering Sliver can be a game-changer in the right deck, pushing through defenses and enabling massive damage. Considering its synergies within Sliver decks and current meta relevance, it might just be the missing link to refining your combat strategy. Want to build an unstoppable Sliver deck or find out more about optimizing your current lineup? Dive into our deep well of resources where every player finds value, whether you’re battling at the kitchen table or commanding the arena. Advance your gameplay with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Battering Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Time Spiral Remastered, 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 Battering Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Battering Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-02-02Planar ChaosPLC 952003NormalBlackGreg Staples
22021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 1542015NormalBlackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Battering Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Battering 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 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.