Insidious Bookworms MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 51b
1996-06-10 - Number 51a
2006-07-21 - Number 51a
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Worm |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o1o B: Target player discards a card at random from his or her hand. Use this ability only when Insidious Bookworms is put into the graveyard from play. You cannot spend more than o1o B in this way each turn.
Cards like Insidious Bookworms
Insidious Bookworms presents a unique approach to library disruption in Magic: The Gathering. When looking at other cards with a similar effect, one might consider Black Cat. What sets Insidious Bookworms apart is its ability to specifically target a player’s library, forcing the discard of a card upon its death. Black Cat, while it also leads to a discard when it dies, does so at random and from the player’s hand, not the library.
Another card that mirrors the effect of Insidious Bookworms is Burglar Rat. Both creatures prompt a discard upon entering the battlefield, but Burglar Rat affects each opponent rather than just one and impacts the hand instead of the library. Moreover, Ravenous Rats, like Burglar Rat, causes an opponent to discard when it comes into play. However, Insidious Bookworms’ death-triggered ability can be seen as more strategically flexible, allowing for timing control.
To sum up, while there are other cards that evoke a discard mechanic, Insidious Bookworms stands out for its targeted library disruption upon death, which can be pivotal in depleting an opponent’s resources and shaping the flow of the game.
Cards similar to Insidious Bookworms by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Insidious Bookworms provides a unique form of card disruption for your opponent, subtly nibbling away at their hand and giving you the psychological edge. Every time it hits the graveyard from play, the opponent discards a card, which can lead to significant card advantage over time.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana acceleration, the disruption brought by Insidious Bookworms can indirectly speed up your game plan. By forcing opponents to discard, you reduce their options, allowing you to outpace them as they struggle to find answers or develop their board.
Instant Speed: Although the Bookworms’ ability isn’t at instant speed, the fact that it triggers upon being sent from play to the graveyard means it can be combined with instant speed sacrifice outlets. This creates unexpected plays, catching opponents off guard during their turn and giving you an advantage during the critical decision-making moments of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the primary drawbacks of Insidious Bookworms lies in its obligatory discard mechanic. In order to unleash the worm’s potential, players must part with a card, potentially straining their hand size and diminishing their strategic options.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands both black mana and generic mana, Insidious Bookworms asks for a narrow range of resources. This constraint naturally fits into mono-black or limited-color strategies, but it can prove incompatible or inefficient in decks with a broader spectrum of colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The efficiency of Insidious Bookworms is also called into question when considering its mana value against its output. For the total cost required to play it, there are alternative creatures or spells in MTG that could offer greater power or more valuable abilities for the same investment or less.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Insidious Bookworms offers adaptability within a variety of decks but shines in those that exploit graveyard strategies. Its ability to force a discard when it dies makes it a robust inclusion for reanimation or sacrifice-themed builds.
Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly integrate into combos that capitalize on discard effects or death triggers. It acts as a persistent nuisance, synergizing with effects that recur creatures from the graveyard to hand or battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where players cling to their hand size for control or combo setups, Insidious Bookworms applies pressure by dwindling opponents’ options. The constant threat of discard upon its death can disrupt finely-tuned plans and force premature plays.
How to beat
Insidious Bookworms may initially seem like a minor threat in MTG with its ability to force a discard when it dies, but underestimating its disruptive power can be a player’s downfall. The key to mitigating the effect of these pesky bookworms is to handle them carefully – avoid indiscriminately wiping the board or targeting them with removal spells that would trigger their ability unless you have a plan to take advantage of your own discard.
Instead, consider using spells that exile creatures or cards that allow you to bypass the creature’s on-death trigger entirely, such as with “Path to Exile” or “Silent Gravestone.” Moreover, playing with graveyard manipulation strategies might also turn the tables on your opponent by reaping benefits from the forced discards, whether it’s fuel for Delve, Flashback, or other graveyard synergies. Keeping a tight hand and making calculated plays will make Insidious Bookworms far less intimidating.
Ultimately, remember that creature control is a strategic component of MTG and facing off against cards with potentially disruptive abilities like Insidious Bookworms challenges players to diversify their tactics and deck compositions. By preparing adequately and choosing the right moment to act, you can easily render the bookworms’ effect null and maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Insidious Bookworms MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Alliances, 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 Insidious Bookworms 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 Insidious Bookworms Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2006-07-21. Illustrated by Greg Simanson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 51b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Greg Simanson | |
| 2 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 51a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Greg Simanson | |
| 3 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap Theme Decks | CST | 51a | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Simanson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Insidious Bookworms has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |