Massacre Wurm MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 6 |
Rarity | Mythic |
Type | Creature — Phyrexian Wurm |
Power | 6 |
Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
When Massacre Wurm enters the battlefield, creatures your opponents control get -2/-2 until end of turn. Whenever a creature an opponent controls is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, that player loses 2 life.
Cards like Massacre Wurm
Massacre Wurm is a powerful creature in Magic: The Gathering that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents by not only presenting a body with impactful stats but also by wreaking havoc on their board presence. Its nearest relatives include the likes of Pestilence Demon and Sheoldred, Whispering One. Pestilence Demon shares Massacre Wurm’s ability to inflict damage across the board; however, it requires mana investment to activate its power. On the other hand, Sheoldred offers continuous creature recursion and forces opponents to sacrifice creatures every upkeep, echoing the Wurm’s theme of generating a creature deficit.
Another similar card worth mentioning is Erebos’s Intervention, which isn’t a creature but can disrupt the field by dealing with creatures and graveyards, aligning with Massacre Wurm’s theme of control and board impact. It doesn’t, however, affect the opponent’s life total directly as Massacre Wurm does with its creature-killing triggered ability. One more contender is Harvester of Souls, providing draw power on creature’s death but without the immediate board impact of the Wurm’s entrance ability.
Overall, while each of these cards showcases its strength in controlling the board state, Massacre Wurm’s unique combination of immediate area effect damage and an attack on the opponent’s life total puts it in a commanding position within the spectrum of black creature spells in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Massacre Wurm by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Massacre Wurm. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Rockman | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | ||
Mono-Black Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Massacre Wurm possesses a potent ability that can lead to significant card advantage. When it enters the battlefield, its effect potentially clears multiple creatures off the opponent’s board. Each creature dying this way causes its controller to lose life, compounding the advantage you gain as you diminish your opponent’s resources while maintaining board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly contributing to mana acceleration, the Massacre Wurm can be indirectly responsible for resource acceleration. By eliminating opponent threats, it conserves your mana and resources, which can be used for further plays. This creates a tempo swing in your favor, effectively speeding up your game plan compared to your opponent.
Instant Speed: While the Massacre Wurm is not an instant itself, its intimidating board impact might force opponents to play as if it is one. Its mere presence in a deck can pressure opponents into committing less to the board, allowing you to efficiently manage your resources. Furthermore, in response to its deployment, instant-speed removal will need to be used, proving its influence on the game’s pace and potential threat level is always imminent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite not directly asking to discard, having Massacre Wurm in your starting hand without a reliable way to play it can inadvertently force you to discard other important cards to find the necessary mana resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Massacre Wurm commands a specific mana alignment, costing three black mana which may narrow its inclusion to mono-black or heavily black-inclined multicolor decks, limiting its flexibility in deck construction.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of six, including the three black mana mentioned, this card comes into play significantly later than many of MTG’s other creatures. At this high mana point, opponents may have already established a formidable board presence or have counters ready, potentially reducing the Wurm’s impact upon arrival.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Massacre Wurm’s ability to impact the board upon entering makes it a dynamic addition to any black deck strategy, particularly in formats that favor creature-heavy play.
Combo Potential: When paired with ways to repeatedly bounce or reanimate it, Massacre Wurm becomes the heart of potent combos that can drain opponents’ life totals rapidly.
Meta-Relevance: With an array of creature-based decks in many MTG formats, the Wurm’s creature-punishing abilities offer a strong counterplay, keeping it a relevant choice in various competitive environments.
How to beat
Massacre Wurm is a menacing presence in any MTG match, renowned for its capacity to sweep away swarms of smaller creatures and penalize opponents for each one that dies under its watch. Navigating past this black powerhouse requires clever play and effective counters. One approach is employing instant-speed removal, capable of dispatching the Wurm before its ability can affect the board. Cards like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy offer clean solutions, bypassing the Wurm’s intimidating might.
An alternative strategy involves leaning on counter magic. A well-timed Counterspell or Negate can stop Massacre Wurm in its tracks, ensuring it never poses a threat on the battlefield. It’s important to reserve such resources, anticipating the Wurm’s potential arrival. Additionally, utilizing exile effects over simple destruction can be key, as cards such as Oblivion Ring or Leyline of the Void prevent the Wurm from returning from the graveyard, an all too common scenario in black-centered decks.
Lastly, reevaluating one’s board state is crucial when facing a card with Massacre Wurm’s impact. Refraining from overextending by playing numerous low-toughness creatures can mitigate the damage done by its entrance, allowing for a stronger recovery post-wipe. Balancing board presence and resource management could be the difference needed to topple the threat of Massacre Wurm.
BurnMana Recommendations
While Massacre Wurm can shape the battlefield to your advantage, understanding its strengths and weaknesses is key in MTG strategy. Its ability to clear multiple creatures and deplete an opponent’s life makes it a significant card for players looking to dominate. With our insights on similar cards and tactics to both include the Wurm in your deck and counteract it, you’re equipped to make informed decisions. Ready to harness the power of Massacre Wurm and refine your deck building skills? Dive deeper into strategies, combos, and counters with us and optimize your play to command the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Massacre Wurm MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Massacre Wurm 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 Massacre Wurm Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 81914 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kekai Kotaki | ||
2 | 2011-02-04 | Mirrodin Besieged | MBS | 46 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
3 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 316 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Kekai Kotaki | |
4 | 2020-07-03 | Core Set 2021 | M21 | 114 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
5 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 441 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
6 | 2023-04-21 | March of the Machine Commander | MOC | 256 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
7 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Massacre Wurm has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Massacre Wurm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2020-06-23 | If a creature an opponent controls dies at the same time as Massacre Wurm, Massacre Wurm's last ability triggers for that creature. |
2020-06-23 | If your life total is brought to 0 or less at the same time that a creature an opponent controls is dealt lethal damage, you lose the game before Massacre Wurm's last ability goes on the stack. |
2020-06-23 | Massacre Wurm's first ability affects only creatures your opponents control at the time it resolves. Creatures they begin to control later in the turn won't get -2/-2. |
2020-06-23 | Massacre Wurm's triggered ability triggers if a creature an opponent controls dies for any reason, including from its first ability reducing its toughness to 0, as long as Massacre Wurm remains on the battlefield. |