Striking Sliver MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Cost-effective addition to Sliver decks, enabling aggressive and defensive strategies with first strike ability.
  2. Diverse gameplay through Slivers’ synergy—Striking Sliver heightens combat potential significantly.
  3. Requires careful deck building, as color and card-specific requirements may limit deck versatility.

Text of card

Sliver creatures you control have first strike. (They deal combat damage before creatures without first strike.)

You're too busy recoiling in fear to realize that it's already hit you.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Striking Sliver grants notable card advantage by enhancing each Sliver you control with first strike without any additional mana investment after it’s cast. This allows you to maintain a strong board presence while supporting future Sliver draws.

Resource Acceleration: While Striking Sliver itself does not directly accelerate resources, its low mana cost of one red mana means that you can deploy other spells more quickly or develop your mana base while still impacting the board early in the game.

Instant Speed: The effects of Striking Sliver are not instant speed, but they facilitate instant-speed plays. Equipping this Sliver’s ability to others at any time before damage makes strategic combat decisions more flexible and formidable, allowing for surprise tactics against opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For Striking Sliver to be effective, it requires you to maintain a wide board presence of Slivers, which might pressure you into discarding other valuable cards to protect or maximize your Sliver strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Striking Sliver commands a specific mana color alignment, red, thus potentially restricting its integration into multi-color Sliver decks where mana flexibility can be vital.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Striking Sliver’s ability to grant first strike may be beneficial, the mana cost for this creature may compete with other key cards in a Sliver deck that could provide a broader range of advantages or a more cost-effective distribution of power and toughness.


Reasons to Include Striking Sliver in Your Collection

Versatility: Striking Sliver can seamlessly integrate into Sliver decks, granting all Slivers you control first strike. This can be a game-changer in combat, making it a useful addition to both aggressive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: In combination with other Slivers, Striking Sliver can contribute to a powerful board presence. Pair it with Muscle Sliver to increase their toughness and make your Slivers a formidable force on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given that Slivers operate as a hive, gaining strength from each other, Striking Sliver can be incredibly relevant in a meta where creature-based strategies prevail. First strike often turns the tide in battles, disrupting opponent’s combat calculations.


How to beat

Striking Sliver is a critical piece for any Sliver deck in MTG, amplifying an already synergistic tribe with the first-strike ability. This enhancement allows Slivers to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike or double strike during each combat phase. To overcome Striking Sliver’s advantage, consider using removal spells swiftly to prevent your opponent’s Slivers from becoming an unstoppable force. Spot removals like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can be quite effective in dealing with Striking Sliver before its benefit spreads across the battlefield.

Board wipes are another strategy to handle the growing threat of a Sliver-infested board. Spells like Supreme Verdict and Wrath of God can clear the field of Slivers, nullifying the first-strike benefit provided by Striking Sliver. It’s crucial to manage the board before the Sliver legion grows too large and starts leveraging their combined abilities.

Dealing with Striking Sliver early on can be key to maintaining control over the game. Negating its impact can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, as many Sliver decks rely on the compound abilities each Sliver contributes to the collective. Staying vigilant and ready to react to Striking Sliver can preserve your chances at victory in MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you have a passion for tactical plays and creature synergies in MTG, then Striking Sliver is a card that should be on your radar. With its ability to instantly upgrade your Sliver’s combat capabilities, it’s an asset in any Sliver-centric deck. Understanding the nuances of each match-up and knowing when to leverage the first-strike ability provided by Striking Sliver can be the difference between a loss and a triumphant win. For those looking to refine their strategies further and perhaps find the perfect partner cards for Striking Sliver, we invite you to continue reading. Dive deeper with us into the world of MTG strategies and deck building to augment your Sliver deck’s potential and edge out your opponents with strategic precision.


Cards like Striking Sliver

Striking Sliver brings an aggressive edge to Sliver decks within Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to grant first strike to each Sliver creature you control is on par with abilities seen on other low-cost Slivers, such as the Virulent Sliver that grants poisonous — a different form of combat advantage. First strike allows for a solid defensive stance as well as an assertive attacking position, much like the Sinew Sliver which boosts the strength and toughness of your Sliver creatures instead.

Another card worth mentioning in the same context is the Bonescythe Sliver, which endows double strike to your Slivers, an evolution of the first strike mechanic. While Bonescythe Sliver comes at a higher mana cost, the dual damage capacity it provides can be a game-changer. First strike and double strike also work symbiotically, creating a layered combat strategy for Sliver enthusiasts.

Ultimately, Striking Sliver’s value lies in its combination of a low mana cost and the strategic advantage of first strike. This makes it a considerable option when building a Sliver deck that prioritizes early game board presence and combat effectiveness within the realm of Magic: The Gathering.

Virulent Sliver - MTG Card versions
Sinew Sliver - MTG Card versions
Bonescythe Sliver - MTG Card versions
Virulent Sliver - Future Sight (FUT)
Sinew Sliver - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Bonescythe Sliver - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2014 Promos (PDP14)

Cards similar to Striking Sliver by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Roc Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Guide - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Crazed Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akki Avalanchers - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Hurr Jackal - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Primordial Ooze - Chronicles (CHR)
Gorilla Shaman - Alliances (ALL)
Goblin Swine-Rider - Visions (VIS)
Mons's Goblin Raiders - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Orcish Conscripts - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Mountain Goat - Portal (POR)
Roc Hatchling - Weatherlight (WTH)
Jackal Pup - The List (PLST)
Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Branded Brawlers - Prophecy (PCY)
Scarred Puma - Invasion (INV)
Mogg Fanatic - Tenth Edition (10E)
Grim Lavamancer - Torment (TOR)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Goblin Guide - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Skirk Prospector - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Crazed Goblin - Darksteel (DST)
Akki Avalanchers - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Striking Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Striking Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Striking Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1572003normalblackMaciej Kuciara
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6442015normalblackMaciej Kuciara
32021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 5222015normalblackMaciej Kuciara
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8822015normalblackAaron J. Riley

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Striking Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
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 Striking Sliver leaves the battlefield after Sliver creatures you control have dealt first-strike damage but before regular combat damage, those Slivers won’t deal regular combat damage (unless they have double strike for some reason).
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.

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