Enlisted Wurm MTG Card
2009-04-30 - Number 68
2012-06-01 - Number 90
2016-11-25 - Number 90
2020-09-26 - Number ARB-68
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Wurm |
| Abilities | Cascade |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Cascade (When you play this spell, remove cards from the top of your library from the game until you remove a nonland card that costs less. You may play it without paying its mana cost. Put the removed cards on the bottom in a random order.)
A match for any army—even its own.
Cards like Enlisted Wurm
Enlisted Wurm stands as a powerful creature in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering, displaying its potential with the Cascade mechanic. When you compare it to other creatures with similar cascade capabilities, Enlisted Wurm’s impact is distinguished by its six mana cost, featuring a substantial 5/5 body. In direct comparison, Bloodbraid Elf offers Cascade for just four mana but yields a smaller 3/2 creature. Although it’s lower in cost and can be played earlier, the Elf doesn’t provide as much board presence as the Wurm.
A closer examination reveals Etherium-Horn Sorcerer, another creature with Cascade. The Sorcerer can be cast repeatedly thanks to its seven mana activation, yet, it falls short in power and toughness, standing at just a 3/6 compared to Enlisted Wurm’s 5/5 stats. Despite its reusability, the initial higher investment and lower impact per appearance might not always align with a player’s strategy as effectively as the Wurm.
Ultimately, while there are numerous creatures with Cascade, Enlisted Wurm’s particular combination of cost, power, and Cascade trigger makes it a formidably balanced option for players looking to maximize value with every cast.
Cards similar to Enlisted Wurm by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The cascade mechanic on Enlisted Wurm presents a substantial opportunity for gaining card advantage. When you cast this creature, you also get to play another spell from your deck with lesser mana value without paying its mana cost, increasing your board presence and options.
Resource Acceleration: While the Enlisted Wurm itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the additional spell cast via cascade can potentially ramp up your mana. Spells that provide land or mana sources that you might cascade into can significantly push your resources ahead of your opponent.
Instant Speed: Although Enlisted Wurm doesn’t operate at instant speed, the cascade effect can still hit instant-speed spells in your deck. This surprise factor can disrupt opponents’ strategies, especially during your main phases, allowing you a wider range of responses and interactions on your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Players must be aware that the Enlisted Wurm doesn’t require a discard upon casting, making it resource-friendly in terms of maintaining hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Enlisted Wurm has a multicolored mana cost that includes both green and white, necessitating a deck capable of producing both colors reliably, which could potentially restrict deck-building options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost of six mana is significant, especially considering that the competitive landscape includes many efficient threats and answers at lower mana values. This could lead to the Enlisted Wurm being a less preferable choice in fast-paced games where lower-cost cards are key to victory.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Enlisted Wurm can seamlessly adapt to multiple deck archetypes, given its ability to potentially cast any spell with equal or lesser value without paying the mana cost. This makes it particularly useful in decks that aim to utilize the top deck as a resource.
Combo Potential: With its cascade ability, this card can trigger an array of spell combinations and synergies. It’s a natural fit in strategies aiming to exploit cascade chains or that capitalize on casting multiple spells in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: Enlisted Wurm holds its ground well in diverse meta environments. Its dual-colored nature and significant body can influence board presence in matchups against various control or creature-based strategies, making it a solid inclusion for players looking to capitalize on its unique mechanics.
How to beat
Enlisted Wurm is known for the element of surprise it brings to Magic: The Gathering matches. The crux of its power lies in its cascade ability, potentially turning the tide by bringing additional spells into play without any additional cost. To effectively counter this, having removal spells in your deck that can handle creatures with higher toughness is essential. Cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile work well to swiftly eliminate the Wurm before the cascade triggers.
Control decks that can counter creatures or utilize board wipes also pose a stark challenge to Enlisted Wurm. By utilizing spells such as Counterspell or Wrath of God, you can deal with the Wurm and any potential cascade outcomes in a single stroke. Moreover, by keeping mana open and waiting for the Wurm to be played, you maintain the element of control, essentially defusing the threat before it can take effect.
In the end, preparation and understanding the strategies behind Enlisted Wurm can yield successful counters to it. Being proactive with removal or reactive with countermeasures will dictate whether the wurm’s potential becomes a reality or just a fleeting possibility on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Enlisted Wurm MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Planechase 2012, 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 Enlisted Wurm and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Enlisted Wurm Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-04-30 | Alara Reborn | ARB | 68 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 2 | 2012-06-01 | Planechase 2012 | PC2 | 90 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 3 | 2016-11-25 | Planechase Anthology | PCA | 90 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | ARB-68 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Enlisted Wurm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Enlisted Wurm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-06-18 | A spell's mana value is determined only by its mana cost. Ignore any alternative costs, additional costs, cost increases, or cost reductions. |
| 2021-06-18 | Cascade triggers when you cast the spell, meaning that it resolves before that spell. If you end up casting the exiled card, it will go on the stack above the spell with cascade. |
| 2021-06-18 | Due to a recent rules change to cascade, not only do you stop exiling cards if you exile a nonland card with lesser mana value than the spell with cascade, but the resulting spell you cast must also have lesser mana value. Previously, in cases where a card's mana value differed from the resulting spell, such as with some modal double-faced cards or cards with an Adventure, you could cast a spell with a higher mana value than the exiled card. |
| 2021-06-18 | If a spell with cascade is countered, the cascade ability will still resolve normally. |
| 2021-06-18 | If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2021-06-18 | If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those to cast the card. |
| 2021-06-18 | The mana value of a split card is determined by the combined mana cost of its two halves. If cascade allows you to cast a split card, you may cast either half but not both halves. |
| 2021-06-18 | When the cascade ability resolves, you must exile cards. The only optional part of the ability is whether or not you cast the last card exiled. |
| 2021-06-18 | You exile the cards face up. All players will be able to see them. |