Wurmcoil Engine MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeArtifact Creature — Phyrexian Wurm
Abilities Deathtouch,Lifelink
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates card advantage and board presence through token creation with both deathtouch and lifelink.
  2. Can accelerate resource advantages in artifact-synergistic decks and strategies.
  3. Despite its high mana cost, remains a competitive staple and versatile addition to MTG decks.

Text of card

Deathtouch, lifelink When Wurmcoil Engine is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a 3/3 colorless Wurm artifact creature token with deathtouch and a 3/3 colorless Wurm artifact creature token with lifelink onto the battlefield.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wurmcoil Engine is a powerhouse when it comes to card advantage. Upon entering the battlefield and when it dies, it creates two 3/3 golem tokens with deathtouch and lifelink, effectively leaving you with more resources on the board than you invested in one card.

Resource Acceleration: In environments where artifacts can be converted into other forms of resources, Wurmcoil Engine accelerates your board state significantly. It provides a substantial threat that can deter attacks while boosting your life total and maintaining pressure on the opponent.

Instant Speed: While Wurmcoil Engine itself does not operate at instant speed, its impact on the board is immediate and offers a reactive defense due to the significant threat it represents. Moreover, the tokens it creates at death can be unexpected boons in the midst of combat or in response to removal, often turning the tide of a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to using Wurmcoil Engine is that its entrance to the battlefield can be delayed or nullified if a player is forced to discard it due to an opponent’s strategic move or their own card effects that require discarding as a cost.

Specific Mana Cost: Wurmcoil Engine demands specific mana resources to cast, requiring six mana overall, with an emphasis on generic mana. This may restrict its integration in decks that rely heavily on colored mana or those that aim to cast spells at a lower threshold.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Wurmcoil Engine brings significant value to the table, its relatively high casting cost can be a setback in faster-paced games or against decks designed to ramp up quickly. Players might find other creatures or spells that can be played sooner, potentially impacting the tempo of the match in their favor.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wurmcoil Engine’s split into two smaller creatures with lifelink and deathtouch upon destruction allows it to adapt to various board states, acting as a formidable threat in both aggro and control decks.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, it synergizes with numerous artifact interactions and can be a key piece in recursion or sacrifice-based strategies, elevating its utility in complex plays.

Meta-Relevance: Its impact in games is significant against a swath of popular decks, addressing both creature-heavy and life total-focused strategies, thus maintaining a strong presence in various metagames.


How to beat

The Wurmcoil Engine is a resilient threat that demands careful handling in any MTG match. With its ability to deconstruct into smaller creatures upon death, simply destroying this artifact creature isn’t enough. To effectively counteract this card, exile effects or cards that force a player to sacrifice a creature can be particularly effective. Consider using instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or the versatile Vraska’s Contempt to bypass the spawning of Wurm tokens. Additionally, countering it before it hits the battlefield with spells like Cancel or Negate can prove crucial, preventing its formidable presence from complicating the state of play.

Another strategic approach is to use cards that modify the rules of the game, such as Grafdigger’s Cage, which can prevent the tokens from ever entering the battlefield. Alternatively, employing board control cards like Wrath of God can clean the slate, though the Wurm tokens would still resolve post-wipe. In the end, while Wurmcoil Engine is a powerhouse, it’s not insurmountable. With the right mix of foresight and deck composition, players can find a way to navigate past this mechanical behemoth and secure victory in their MTG duels.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the tactical depths of MTG gameplay, Wurmcoil Engine emerges as an all-star card whose value and versatility make it a must-have for any serious player. From its card advantage to the strategic edge it grants in multiple deck types, this artifact creature can be the cornerstone of victory. As you ponder its potential in your collection, we encourage you to understand not just its strengths but also how to effectively rally against it. For those ready to harness the power of Wurmcoil Engine or seeking countermeasures, deepen your knowledge and strategies with us for an optimized gameplay experience.


Cards like Wurmcoil Engine

Wurmcoil Engine holds a distinctive position among artifact creatures in Magic: The Gathering, drawing parallels to other impactful artifacts like Myr Battlesphere. Much like Wurmcoil Engine, Myr Battlesphere provides a considerable presence on the battlefield, creating multiple tokens upon entry. However, Wurmcoil Engine offers a different level of resilience with its death-triggered ability to split into two smaller yet significant token creatures, which is a feature the Battlesphere lacks.

Contrasting further, we have Batterskull, another potent artifact creature equipped with living weapon. While Batterskull also boasts lifelink and is a token producer, Wurmcoil Engine stands out with its double token generation of both lifelink and deathtouch attributes. This not only bolsters the player’s defensive strategy but also forces opponents to handle multiple threats simultaneously.

In evaluating these similar cards, Wurmcoil Engine remains a standout choice in MTG for players seeking a powerful and resilient artifact creature. Its unique combination of token creation and death-trigger abilities makes it a formidable presence that can sway a game’s momentum upon its entrance and even after its destruction.

Myr Battlesphere - MTG Card versions
Batterskull - MTG Card versions
Myr Battlesphere - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Batterskull - Grand Prix Promos (PGPX)

Cards similar to Wurmcoil Engine by color, type and mana cost

Clockwork Beast - MTG Card versions
Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Celestial Sword - MTG Card versions
Voodoo Doll - MTG Card versions
Tetravus - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Brass Herald - MTG Card versions
Mirror Golem - MTG Card versions
Razor Golem - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Beast - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Triskelion - March of the Machine Commander (MOC)
Armageddon Clock - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Mirror Universe - Legends (LEG)
Sword of the Ages - Legends (LEG)
Planar Gate - Legends (LEG)
Urza's Avenger - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Bronze Tablet - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Celestial Sword - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Voodoo Doll - Chronicles (CHR)
Tetravus - Rinascimento (RIN)
Joven's Tools - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Serpent Generator - Legends (LEG)
Flowstone Sculpture - Tempest (TMP)
Workhorse - The List (PLST)
Well of Discovery - Prophecy (PCY)
Phyrexian Hulk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Brass Herald - Commander Legends (CMR)
Mirror Golem - Mirrodin (MRD)
Razor Golem - Darksteel (DST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wurmcoil Engine MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Wurmcoil Engine and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wurmcoil Engine Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 378612003normalblackRaymond Swanland
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 828582015normalblackCarl Critchlow
32010-01-01Magic Player Rewards 2010P10 2232003normalblackRaymond Swanland
42010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 2232003normalblackRaymond Swanland
52014-11-07Commander 2014C14 2832015normalblackRaymond Swanland
62016-09-30Kaladesh InventionsMPS 542015normalblackAleksi Briclot
72018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 2312015normalblackRaymond Swanland
82020-08-07Double Masters2XM 3082015normalblackRaymond Swanland
92020-08-07Double Masters2XM 3682015normalborderlessCarl Critchlow
102022-11-18The Brothers' War Art SeriesABRO 812015art_seriesborderlessRaymond Swanland
112022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 126z1997normalblackRaymond Swanland
122022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 1261997normalblackRaymond Swanland
132022-11-18The Brothers' War Retro ArtifactsBRR 631997normalblackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wurmcoil Engine has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-01-01 It must be clear to all players which token has deathtouch and which token has lifelink.
2011-01-01 The two creature tokens enter the battlefield at the same time.

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