Ravaging Riftwurm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Wurm
Abilities	Kicker,Vanishing
Released	2007-05-04
Set symbol
Set name	Future Sight
Set code	FUT
Power	6
Toughness	6
Number	135
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Michael Phillippi

Key Takeaways

Gives players card advantage by requiring multiple resources from opponents to be addressed.
Accelerates resources, allowing green decks to possibly deploy it ahead of the curve.
Pairs well with flash cards, creating opportunities for strategic plays at instant speed.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you play this spell.) Vanishing 2 (This permanent comes into play with two time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter from it. When the last is removed, sacrifice it.) If the kicker cost was paid, Ravaging Riftwurm comes into play with three additional time counters on it.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ravaging Riftwurm is a powerhouse when it comes to maintaining board presence. Its entry effect, coupled with robust stats, often requires opponents to use multiple resources to deal with it, effectively granting you card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: If you’re wielding a green deck, the Riftwurm can catapult your resource acceleration. Its potential for an early drop thanks to mana-producing mechanisms gives you a formidable creature ahead of your opponents’ curve.

Instant Speed: While Ravaging Riftwurm itself is not an instant, its synergy with cards that have flash or enable you to play creatures as though they have flash can yield unexpected battlefield twists during your opponent’s turn, emulating the strategic benefit of instant speed play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ravaging Riftwurm demands a card to be pitched from your hand in order to play it with its evoke cost, which can set you back if your hand is already sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: With a set mana cost that requires green, the Riftwurm may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks that are tight on mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: A seven mana investment is steep, and in formats where speed is critical, there are alternative creatures that provide value without such a significant mana outlay.

Reasons to Include Ravaging Riftwurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Ravaging Riftwurm offers a dynamic option for decks utilizing graveyard strategies or looking for substantial creatures to play at a lower cost. Its inherent strength allows it to adapt seamlessly to various play styles, whether aggressive or controlling.

Combo Potential: This card opens up opportunities for synergy with graveyard mechanics, such as reanimation or delve, enabling powerful combinations that can swiftly change the tide of a game. Moreover, its Lhurgoyf-like ability to grow in power relative to graveyards adds a layer of strategy to deck construction and in-game decision making.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies prevail or where games extend into longer battles, Ravaging Riftwurm proves to be a resilient threat. With the ability to evade certain removal spells due to its time counter mechanic, it remains a relevant addition to various metagames.

How to beat

The Ravaging Riftwurm is a formidable creature card that can potentially swing games in the early turns. Designed to be aggressive, it boasts a formidable presence on the battlefield if not checked swiftly. To counteract this green behemoth, timing removal spells just before your opponent can capitalize on its vanishing mechanic is crucial. Efficient removal options that can handle this threat include Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which can proficiently eliminate it without leaving behind lingering effects.

Moreover, leveraging counter spells like Mana Leak or Negate when your opponent attempts to cast it can prevent the Riftwurm from ever hitting the board. Ensnaring Riftwurm with enchantments such as Control Magic or confinement tools like Pacification Array also works well, ensuring it remains a non-issue. Practice patience and strategic planning; allowing the Riftwurm to enter play without an answer in hand might lead to a swift end. Therefore, always have a plan to address it or prevent it altogether to maintain control of the match.

Ultimately, understanding the Riftwurm’s strengths and weaknesses will guide you in crafting a deck or selecting cards that can withstand its ravages and turn the tides in your favor during the heat of battle.

Cards like Ravaging Riftwurm

Ravaging Riftwurm enters the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering as a potent force among green creatures. It’s often lined up against other heavy hitters such as Leatherback Baloth which, while lacking the kicker ability, stands out with a solid 4/5 body for only three mana. Where Ravaging Riftwurm gains an edge is in its flexibility — the kicker cost, when paid, not only grants it haste but a devour-like effect, allowing it to grow stronger at the expense of a bit of its lifespan.

Exploring the green creatures’ domain further brings us to Vorapede, another viable comparison. Vorapede offers vigilance, trample, and the undying mechanic, ensuring it returns to the field after death. Despite these advantages, the Riftwurm with kicker has the immediate board impact thanks to haste, a vital tactical advantage in fast-paced matches. Lastly, we have the colossal Primeval Titan, which boasts a game-altering land search ability. However, true to its name, Ravaging Riftwurm can be a quick and overwhelming threat with the right strategy.

In evaluating these options, Ravaging Riftwurm stands out for players seeking an aggressive addition to their MTG deck, leveraging speed and impactful presence when the kicker is activated.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ravaging Riftwurm MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight, 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 Ravaging Riftwurm and other MTG cards: