First Sliver's Chosen MTG Card


First Sliver’s Chosen excels in card advantage and diversity in Sliver deck strategies. Demands specific mana and a Sliver to discard, adding complexity to its use. Its unique abilities make it a fierce asset in certain MTG metagames.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Sliver creatures you control have exalted. (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each instance of exalted among permanents you control.)

The most tenacious members of the hive instinctually guard the First Sliver.


Cards like First Sliver's Chosen

Magic: The Gathering has a rich tapestry of cards, and the First Sliver’s Chosen is a standout example of an impactful creature card from the Modern Horizons set. Its similarity to other sliver creatures, like Sinew Sliver and Predator Sliver, is evident as they all share the distinct ability to empower other slivers. Each confers a significant bonus to your sliver forces, with First Sliver’s Chosen granting them exalted, a unique ability that beefs up a solitary attacker. This kind of tribal synergy is not found in the Sinew or Predator counterparts, which, while boosting the power and toughness across your board, do not influence combat strategy to the same extent.

Similarly, Syphon Sliver offers a different kind of advantage by providing lifelink, meaning your sliver army becomes a source of life gain. However, it doesn’t contribute directly to combat versatility or increasing damage output in the way First Sliver’s Chosen can when it’s one creature attacking. Comparing these slivers shows the nuanced approach players can take when building their decks, balancing between raw power, synergy, and combat finese according to the situation at hand.

Ultimately, First Sliver’s Chosen stands out among sliver creatures for its potential to turn a single attack into a significant threat, making it a valued piece in the intricate puzzle that is a sliver tribal deck in Magic: The Gathering.

Sinew Sliver - MTG Card versions
Syphon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Sinew Sliver - MTG Card versions
Syphon Sliver - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to First Sliver's Chosen by color, type and mana cost

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Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Lancers en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Karmic Guide - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Glory - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: First Sliver’s Chosen can give you a significant edge by offering cascading effects with each cast. This means more creatures on the board and more cards flowing into your hand, setting you up for victory.

Resource Acceleration: Leveraging the five-color aspect of this card can enhance your resource pool. As you summon creatures of different colors, you set the stage for a diverse and flexible mana base to support your game plan.

Instant Speed: While First Sliver’s Chosen itself doesn’t have instant speed, it synergizes with instant-speed slivers and spells, allowing you to adapt quickly to the changing battlefield and outpace your opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This card necessitates the presence of a Sliver card to discard as part of its cycling ability, potentially depleting valuable cards from your hand. In game situations where your hand is precious, this cost can become restrictive and may not always be a viable option.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost includes WUBRG (White, Blue, Black, Red, Green), which demands a five-color mana base. This specific requirement makes First Sliver’s Chosen less flexible and challenging to incorporate into decks not dedicated to a Sliver or five-color strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires five different colors of mana, it can be difficult to summon First Sliver’s Chosen promptly. There are other creatures with lower mana requirements that can be more quickly deployed, making them potentially more attractive for fast-paced games or mana-efficient strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: First Sliver’s Chosen finds its place in various Sliver decks, enriching the tribal synergy and enhancing the board presence with its exalted ability, which complements the Slivers’ tendency to attack with one massive creature.

Combo Potential: As part of a five-color deck archetype, it seamlessly integrates with sliver combos. When paired with mana-generating Slivers or cascade mechanics, it amplifies your plays, potentially leading to a game-winning board state.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with tribal decks, the First Sliver’s Chosen shines by offering incremental advantages each turn. Its potential to significantly boost a single attacker makes it a relevant addition against decks that prefer singular, powerful threats over wide strategies.


How to Beat First Sliver’s Chosen

In the realm of Magic the Gathering, combatting First Sliver’s Chosen can be quite the challenge. Primarily, understanding the intricacies of a card’s strengths and weaknesses is key. First Sliver’s Chosen is known for its cascade ability – a powerful mechanic that lets you play the next smaller CMC (Converted Mana Cost) spell for free.

To effectively counter it, players should consider using spells that can negate the cascade effect or remove the card before its ability triggers. Timing is critical; therefore, instant-speed removal spells like Swords to Plowshares or Fatal Push can be invaluable. Additionally, employing counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by stopping the cascade chain, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by First Sliver’s Chosen. Artifact-based strategies can also play a role, as cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can prevent creatures from cascading into play from the library.

Ultimately, determining the right mixture of countermeasures against such a formidable card requires insight and a strategic approach. Keeping your responses versatile and efficient allows you to deal with First Sliver’s Chosen and other similar threats that might come your way in a game of Magic the Gathering.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase First Sliver's Chosen // First Sliver's Chosen MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons Art Series and Modern Horizons, 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 First Sliver's Chosen // First Sliver's Chosen and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The First Sliver's Chosen // First Sliver's Chosen Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-06-05Modern Horizons Art SeriesAMH1 262015Art seriesBorderlessSteven Belledin
22019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 92015NormalBlackSteven Belledin
32021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 812015NormalBlackSteven Belledin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where First Sliver's Chosen has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-06-14 A creature attacks alone if it’s the only creature declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step (including creatures controlled by your teammates, if applicable). For example, exalted won’t trigger if you attack with multiple creatures and all but one of them are removed from combat.
2019-06-14 Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, count the number of instances of exalted among permanents you control. After those abilities resolve, that’s how many times the creature will get +1/+1.