Groundshaker Sliver MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Sliver |
| Released | 2013-07-19 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Magic 2014 |
| Set code | M14 |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 177 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Chase Stone |
Text of card
Sliver creatures you control have trample. (If a Sliver you control would assign enough damage to its blockers to destroy them, you may have it assign the rest of its damage to defending player or planeswalker.)
Cards like Groundshaker Sliver
Groundshaker Sliver is a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering, offering Sliver creatures you control the ability to strike with trample. This is reminiscent of Predatory Sliver, which also bolsters other Sliver creatures by granting them an additional +1/+1 in power and toughness. However, Groundshaker Sliver adds a different layer of strategy by enabling damage to spill over to the opponent’s life total even if their creatures are blocking.
When compared to Megantic Sliver, another Sliver with a significant impact on the board, Groundshaker Sliver emphasizes combat damage rather than overall power, as Megantic provides a more substantial bonus of +3/+3 to Slivers. Bonescythe Sliver is another similar card that grants double strike to Slivers, potentially doubling the damage they deal if unblocked, but lacking Groundshaker Sliver’s ability to penetrate defenses with trample.
Altogether, Groundshaker Sliver stands out in the Sliver tribe for turning an army of Slivers into an overwhelming force that can trample through blockers. This specialization makes it an essential card for Sliver decks focused on delivering decisive blows through creature combat.
Cards similar to Groundshaker Sliver by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Groundshaker Sliver ensures that all your Sliver creatures get the valuable trample ability, allowing them to potentially deal excess damage to your opponent, effectively translating into advantageous board states and often into card advantage as well.
Resource Acceleration: This Sliver may not directly produce mana, but its presence can lead to shorter games by amplifying the damage your creatures can inflict. By doing so, it accelerates your path to victory by requiring fewer resources to deal the same amount of damage.
Instant Speed: While Groundshaker Sliver itself does not have instant speed, its trample granting ability synergizes well with other Slivers you may cast at instant speed. This interaction can surprise opponents and create opportunities for powerful and unexpected winning moves.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Groundshaker Sliver asks a lot from a player’s hand. To harness its ability, a card must be discarded, which can leave players at a resource disadvantage. Strategizing when to play it is key to avoid depleting valuable options.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is specific to the Sliver creature type, which means its potential is fully realized only within a Sliver deck. Players running a varied creature base may find it challenging to accommodate the mana needs of Groundshaker Sliver.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost demanding a solid investment, some players may find Groundshaker Sliver a bit cumbersome, especially when compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket that could offer immediate impact or have lower summoning conditions.
Reasons to Include Groundshaker Sliver in Your Collection
Versatility: Groundshaker Sliver empowers any Sliver decks with its ability to grant all Slivers you control the trample ability. This card elevates Slivers from just being a nuisance to serious threats that can’t be easily chump blocked.
Combo Potential: In tandem with other Sliver cards, Groundshaker Sliver unlocks a new level of synergy, combining well with mana acceleration Slivers or those which boost power and toughness, effectively creating an overwhelming board presence.
Meta-Relevance: Trample as a keyword is significantly valuable, especially in a meta filled with creature-based strategies. Groundshaker Sliver makes sure your forces can consistently deal damage through blockers, which is essential in matches against control decks that rely on creating fortifications with smaller creatures.
How to beat
Groundshaker Sliver is a formidable card in the realm of Magic the Gathering, aligning with the inherent strength of Sliver decks. This card grants all Sliver creatures you control the trample ability, making it much harder for your opponents to effectively block your overwhelming Sliver army. Handling Groundshaker Sliver, hence, becomes about undermining its synergy within a Sliver deck.
To counteract the boost provided by Groundshaker Sliver, removing it from the battlefield is a primary strategy. Cards like Path to Exile, Doom Blade, or even board wipes like Wrath of God can efficiently deal with the threat it presents. Without it, the Sliver creatures become significantly less threatening and easier to manage. Additionally, enforcing ground stalls using creatures with enough toughness or with abilities like reach can mitigate the impact of their newfound trample ability and helps preserve your life total while seeking the opportunity to turn the tides.
In essence, direct removal, strategic blocking, and possibly cutting off the Sliver synergy by targeting the deck’s mana base or utilizing enchantments like Propaganda to limit attacks are effective ways to weaken the advantage Groundshaker Sliver gives to Sliver decks in Magic the Gathering competitions.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Groundshaker Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014, 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 Groundshaker Sliver 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Groundshaker Sliver has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Groundshaker Sliver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-07-01 | Abilities that Slivers grant, as well as power/toughness boosts, are cumulative. However, for some abilities, like flying, having more than one instance of the ability doesn’t provide any additional benefit. |
| 2013-07-01 | If you change the creature type of a Sliver you control so it’s no longer a Sliver, it will no longer be affected by its own ability. Its ability will continue to affect other Sliver creatures you control. |