Golgari Rotwurm MTG Card
2005-10-07 - Number 210
2012-09-07 - Number 63
2017-03-17 - Number 168
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Wurm |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
, Sacrifice a creature: Target player loses 1 life.
Like corpse-worms through a carapace, rotwurms slide through the hollowed bones of the undercity.
Cards like Golgari Rotwurm
The Golgari Rotwurm is an intriguing creature card steeped in the synergy of black and green within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Its kinship is closest with the likes of Shambling Shell, which also feeds into the graveyard-theme strategies Golgari is famous for. The Rotwurm stands out with its direct damage ability, allowing players to sacrifice another creature to deal damage to opponents, a superb finisher in many situations.
Comparatively, creatures like Mortician Beetle thrive in a similar sacrifice-fueled ecosystem, yet it concentrates on self-growth instead of dealing damage. Its low cost and potential for scalability make it both a threat and a compliment to Rotwurm’s destructive capability. On another note, Savra, Queen of the Golgari, amplifies this theme by providing life gain and creature control, though at a higher mana investment.
In essence, while there are a multitude of creatures that synergize with the sacrifice mechanic, Golgari Rotwurm is unique in its blend of aggression and utility. It’s a potent option for players looking to apply pressure through board presence and stack damage simultaneously, marking its spot as a worthy contender in its category.
Cards similar to Golgari Rotwurm by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Golgari Rotwurm’s ability to sacrifice another creature allows you to not only thwart your opponent’s attempts to remove your creatures but also turn them into direct damage against your opponent or weakening their creatures, offering a tactical edge in creature-heavy scenarios.
Resource Acceleration: By synergizing with decks that benefit from creatures entering the graveyard, this card helps accelerate your strategy. Using a Golgari Rotwurm can pave the way for a rapid influx of value from graveyard-based mechanics, which is a common theme within black and green deck designs.
Instant Speed: While the wurm itself is a creature and does not function at instant speed, its activated ability can be used anytime you could cast an instant. This flexibility allows you to utilize it both on your turn for offensive strategies or defensively on your opponent’s turn, thereby disrupting their plans and preserving your board state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To activate its ability, the Golgari Rotwurm demands the player to sacrifice another creature, which can be a steep price to pay. This could set you back if your board presence is already weak or if you’re unable to generate enough fodder creatures to utilize this effect consistently.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires both black and green mana, this creature is exclusively playable in Golgari or multi-color decks, potentially restricting its compatibility with other deck archetypes that don’t run these colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Rotwurm comes with a mana value of five, which may be inefficient compared to other creatures or spells that offer more impactful abilities or present a greater threat level at a similar or lower cost point.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Golgari Rotwurm can fit deftly into a range of strategies, particularly those focused on sacrificing creatures for value or those needing robust finishers in grindy games. Its synergy with graveyard mechanics lets it play a dual role in both offensive and defensive capacities.
Combo Potential: With the ability to sacrifice other creatures at will, Golgari Rotwurm can be the lynchpin in powerful combos. It works seamlessly with recurrent creatures or death-triggered abilities, turning each creature you sacrifice into a drain on your opponent’s life total.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors longer games or has a prevalence of creature-based strategies, Golgari Rotwurm serves as a consistent threat. It thrives in environments where it can disrupt opponent’s plans while growing your advantage both on the board and in life differential.
How to beat
Golgari Rotwurm is a creature that exemplifies the might of the black and green mana combination in MTG. Its ability to sacrifice another creature for the benefit of dealing damage to a player is a significant threat on the board. Confronting this card calls for strategic planning. The first step to neutralize its power is to limit your opponent’s creature supply through removal spells or board wipes. With fewer creatures, the Rotwurm’s ability becomes less potent.
Another effective tactic is to intercept and remove the Rotwurm before its ability can be activated. Instant speed removals, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, are excellent choices as they provide an immediate answer to this looming threat. Additionally, employing graveyard disruption prevents recurring creature threats and diminishes the overall effectiveness of the Golgari playstyle, which often relies on reanimation tactics.
Lastly, taking control of the board state with your own robust creatures can overshadow the Rotwurm. By establishing a dominant presence, any sacrifice made by your opponent could be a step toward their defeat. Adapting these strategies can tilt the game in your favor and contain the danger presented by the Golgari Rotwurm.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Golgari Rotwurm MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari, 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 Golgari Rotwurm 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 Golgari Rotwurm Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2017-03-17. Illustrated by Wayne England.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 210 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 2 | 2012-09-07 | Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari | DDJ | 63 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 3 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 168 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wayne England |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Golgari Rotwurm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |