Blade Sliver MTG Card

Provides significant combat advantage by powering up all Slivers on the battlefield. Poses a high mana cost and color specificity that may challenge deck flexibility. A must-have for any Sliver strategy, amplifying both offence and synergy.

Legions (LGN)
2003-02-03 - Number 88

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number D2

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number D3

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number D52

Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
2005-08-22 - Number D38

Commander Masters (CMM)
2023-08-04 - Number 871

Blade Sliver // Blade Sliver - Commander Masters Art Series (ACMM)

Commander Masters Art Series (ACMM)
2023-08-04 - Number 78

Card sets	Released in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Sliver
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

All Slivers get +1/+0.

After breaking free from the Riptide Project, the slivers quickly adapted to life on Otaria—much to the dismay of life on Otaria.

Cards like Blade Sliver

Blade Sliver is an intriguing creature within the Sliver species that adds an aggressive edge in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its kinship to the likes of Bonescythe Sliver is noticeable, with both cards sharing the Sliver trait and the purpose of bolstering fellow Slivers. Yet, Blade Sliver offers a raw increase in power rather than the double strike ability provided by the rare Bonescythe Sliver, introducing a more straightforward yet potent aggressive strategy.

Considering the Predatory Sliver as well, which similarly grants a unilateral power boost to Sliver creatures, it shows that Blade Sliver’s ability aligns with MTG’s Sliver theme of collective enhancement. Nonetheless, Predatory Sliver’s permanent increase in power and toughness makes it a slightly more resilient threat in a Sliver deck compared to the straightforward power increase from Blade Sliver. The comparison with Megantic Sliver is inevitable as well, its effect encompassing a wholesome boost to both power and toughness of Sliver creatures, though at a higher casting cost.

Overall, Blade Sliver fits well within the Sliver strategy in Magic: The Gathering, providing an offence-focused aspect to Sliver decks, and while it might not have the varied benefits of its relatives, its contribution to a high-powered Sliver onslaught is undeniable.

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

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blade Sliver offers an on-board advantage by enhancing all other Slivers you control, effectively amplifying your card value with every play.

Resource Acceleration: By boosting the power of each Sliver, this card can expedite your win condition, allowing for quicker victories through enhanced combat damage.

Instant Speed: While Blade Sliver itself is not an instant, its presence on the battlefield instantly affects all Slivers, making each Sliver draw formidable, unexpected power during any phase of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For a card like Blade Sliver, leveraging its abilities often means adhering to a discard condition, which can be a tough pill to swallow when your hand size is already dwindling. This requirement mandates that players weigh the benefit of activating the ability against the potential loss of crucial resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Blade Sliver comes with a mana cost that includes not one, but multiple specific colors. This restrictiveness can pose a challenge when attempting to seamlessly integrate it into multicolor decks or when your mana base isn’t perfectly aligned to cast it efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the buffs it provides may be appealing, the mana investment for Blade Sliver is significant when compared to other creatures in the metagame. Players must consider if the cost aligns with the tempo of their deck and whether it could potentially slow down their overall game plan.

Reasons to Include Blade Sliver in Your Collection

Versatility: Blade Sliver is a flexible addition to any Sliver deck. Its ability to grant all Slivers you control a bonus to their attack power means it can seamlessly upgrade the offensive capabilities of your board, fitting well in both aggressive and synergistic Sliver strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with other Slivers, as the buffs stack. Coupled with Slivers that offer additional combat effects or defensive abilities, Blade Sliver can be part of a formidable combo that overwhelms opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame saturated with creature-based decks, the power boost from Blade Sliver can turn the tide of battle. Its universal buff helps Sliver decks stand toe-to-toe against other creature-focused opponents and maintain relevance in various competitive environments.

How to beat

Blade Sliver presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, embodying the strength that Sliver creatures are infamous for in MTG. This particular Sliver, much like others, grants a collective boost, in this case, giving all Slivers you control a bonus to their attack power. The key to overcoming Blade Sliver’s assault lies in understanding its dependence on a crowd. Isolation is the strategy; when Blade Sliver is shorn of its kin, its ability to amplify the Sliver army diminishes.

Removing Blade Sliver from the board promptly can disrupt your opponent’s strategy considerably. Board clears, targeted removals, or even counter spells are effective tactics to ensure Blade Sliver doesn’t turn the tides of combat. It’s also beneficial to limit the number of Slivers that can gather alongside it—address threats as they emerge and prevent a Sliver snowball before it starts. Furthermore, considering the tribal nature of Slivers, cards that impair or negate the abilities of creature types can be invaluable. Timely dissipation of the Sliver synergy will render Blade Sliver a mere nuisance, rather than an insurmountable threat.

In summary, by strategically disrupting the collective nature of Slivers and the buffs provided by a card like Blade Sliver, you can maintain control of the game and stave off the formidable legion that Sliver decks aim to build.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blade Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Salvat 2005, 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 Blade Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Blade Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2003-02-03	Legions	LGN	88	1997	Normal	Black	David Martin
2	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	D2	2003	Normal	White	David Martin
3	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	D3	2003	Normal	White	David Martin
4	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	D52	2003	Normal	White	David Martin
5	2005-08-22	Salvat 2005	PSAL	D38	2003	Normal	White	David Martin
6	2023-08-04	Commander Masters	CMM	871	2015	Normal	Black	Alexandre Honoré
7	~~2023-08-04~~	Commander Masters Art Series	ACMM	78	2015	Art series	Borderless	Alexandre Honoré

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blade Sliver has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Blade 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.