Panglacial Wurm MTG Card


Delivers indirect card advantage by being a surprise play during library searches. Excels in mana-rich decks through its synergy with ramp and search effects. Adapts to board states with its flexible, instant-speed casting ability.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Wurm
Abilities Trample
Power 9
Toughness 5

Text of card

Trample While you're searching your library, you may play Panglacial Wurm from your library.

"Step lightly and we might be able to use it as a bridge." —Ib Halfheart, goblin tactician


Cards like Panglacial Wurm

Panglacial Wurm is an intriguing behemoth within Magic: The Gathering, and it finds kinship with other heavyweight creatures that also rock the battlefield. Comparable in size and scope, we can look to cards like Ghalta, Primal Hunger. Ghalta costs less mana relative to its power if you control large creatures, but it lacks the special tutoring ability of Panglacial Wurm which allows it to be cast from your library during a search. Both demand a significant amount of mana, though Ghalta potentially can hit the field much faster given the right circumstances.

Besides Ghalta, another similar card is Ulamog’s Crusher, a massive creature sporting Annihilator 2, forcing your opponent to sacrifice two permanents every time it attacks. While Ulamog’s Crusher can be a game-ender, it does not have the same surprise element of appearing mid-search like Panglacial Wurm. The wurm’s unique casting trait can be a clever way to bypass counterspells, slipping through enemy defenses.

Taking a step back and comparing these monstrous cards, Panglacial Wurm garners attention for its ability to be played in unconventional situations. While it may not always be the fastest or the most destructive giant within the MTG realm, the element of surprise and strategic depth it introduces cannot be overlooked, positioning it as a noteworthy option for players crafting green-based decks.

Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Crusher - MTG Card versions
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Crusher - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Panglacial Wurm by color, type and mana cost

Thorn Elemental - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions
Cultivator Colossus - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Horde - MTG Card versions
Krosan Tusker - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Gladehart Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Hundroog - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ancient Ooze - MTG Card versions
Cytospawn Shambler - MTG Card versions
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Duskdale Wurm - MTG Card versions
Regal Force - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Engulfing Slagwurm - MTG Card versions
Thorn Elemental - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions
Cultivator Colossus - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Horde - MTG Card versions
Krosan Tusker - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Gladehart Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Hundroog - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ancient Ooze - MTG Card versions
Cytospawn Shambler - MTG Card versions
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Duskdale Wurm - MTG Card versions
Regal Force - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Engulfing Slagwurm - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though not typically associated with card drawing, Panglacial Wurm can essentially place itself directly onto the battlefield when searching your library. This surprise element can catch an opponent off guard and have a significant impact on the game’s board state, offering an indirect form of card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: In decks that manipulate the library or utilize ramp strategies, Panglacial Wurm capitalizes on resource acceleration. By having ample mana available, you can deploy this massive creature while executing a search effect, thus efficiently using your mana resources and potential search synergies.

Instant Speed: One of the unique aspects of Panglacial Wurm is its ability to be played at instant speed during a library search, offering dynamic play decisions. This allows you to adapt to the current state of the board and can lead to powerful surprise tactics, making it a flexible threat that can be strategically timed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Panglacial Wurm offers the unique ability to be played directly from your library during a search, it still requires a discard if you have insufficient mana, reducing your hand size unnecessarily.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting a hefty mana cost that includes seven with at least two green, this card demands a deck built around substantial mana generation, making it a less flexible choice for many strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The seven total mana cost is a considerable investment. In environments where fast-paced play is prevalent, dedicating this amount of resources to a single creature might not be the most economical play, especially when there are alternative creatures and spells that can offer more immediate board presence or effects for the same or less investment.


Reasons to Include Panglacial Wurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Panglacial Wurm offers a flexible approach to gameplay, seamlessly integrating into green ramp decks or any strategy geared towards harnessing mana acceleration. Its unique cast-from-library ability allows players to adapt to numerous board states while maintaining pressure on opponents.

Combo Potential: This creature can become a crucial component in combo decks. Its casting perk compounds with effects that manipulate the library or battlefield, potentially serving as a surprising win-condition or an enabler for other decisive plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where the battlefield can turn into an arms race, Panglacial Wurm maintains relevance. Its sheer size can outmatch many common threats and turns any shuffle of your library into an opportunity to power out a game-changing behemoth.


How to beat

Panglacial Wurm is a formidable creature that can be a real challenge to handle in the game of Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to be cast from your library while searching your library, this green creature can catch an opponent by surprise. However, like all cards, Panglacial Wurm has its vulnerabilities.

Counterspells are an effective way to deal with the wurm before it even hits the battlefield. Since the spell is cast during the library search, spells like Cancel or Mana Leak can be used to counter it. Alternatively, removal spells that can tuck or exile creatures, such as Path to Exile or Condemn, are superb at dealing with the wurm after it lands. It’s important to keep mana open for these spells if you suspect your opponent might be using a Panglacial Wurm.

The use of instant-speed removals or bounce spells can also be a great strategy. Having them ready in hand means you can respond quickly to the unexpected appearance of Panglacial Wurm. Preemptive measures such as graveyard hate cards can prevent recursion if the Wurm is sent to the graveyard from the library, hindering strategies that might otherwise bring it back into play multiple times.


BurnMana Recommendations

Magic the Gathering enthusiasts know that every card can turn the tide of battle, and the Panglacial Wurm is no exception. Its ability to surprise opponents by emerging directly from the library is a game-changer, particularly in green ramp decks. Whether it’s to capitalize on its instant-speed play, enhance a combo, or leverage its formidable presence on the battlefield, this card has a place in your arsenal. Curious about integrating Panglacial Wurm into your strategies or seeking alternatives for your deck? Dive deeper with us to discover how this green behemoth can become your secret weapon and elevate your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Panglacial Wurm MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Panglacial Wurm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Panglacial Wurm Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by Jim Pavelec.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-07-21ColdsnapCSP 1162003NormalBlackJim Pavelec
22020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 752003NormalBlackJim Pavelec
32020-09-26The ListPLST CSP-1162003NormalBlackJim Pavelec

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Panglacial Wurm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2006-07-15 A Panglacial Wurm that you cast while searching your library can’t be found by the search effect.
2006-07-15 After you cast Panglacial Wurm, you pick up the search effect where you left off. When the search effect finishes resolving, the active player gets priority with Panglacial Wurm on the stack. Any abilities that triggered when the spell was cast are put on the stack now.
2006-07-15 Casting Panglacial Wurm while searching your library follows all the normal rules for casting a creature spell, except for timing (casting the Wurm this way always occurs during the resolution of another spell or ability) and what zone the Wurm is being cast from. The spell goes on the stack. You have to pay the Wurm’s mana cost and any applicable additional costs, which means you can activate mana abilities while you’re casting the Wurm while you’re searching your library.
2006-07-15 If you have enough mana, you can cast multiple Panglacial Wurms during a single search effect.
2006-07-15 If you want to cast Panglacial Wurm while searching your library, you must do so before you find any cards with the search effect.
2006-07-15 Panglacial Wurm’s ability works only while you’re searching your own library. The effect that caused you to search needs to say “search” and “library,” and you need to be looking through your own library for this to work. Examples of effects that let you cast Panglacial Wurm are Rampant Growth and Gifts Ungiven. Examples of effects that don’t are Bribery and Sage Owl.
2006-07-15 While searching your library, you must keep your library in the same order until you shuffle it. This order could matter if you tap Millikin for mana, for example, to pay for a Panglacial Wurm you cast from your library.