Pouncing Wurm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Wurm
Abilities	Kicker
Released	2007-02-02
Set symbol
Set name	Planar Chaos
Set code	PLC
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	136
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	William O'Connor

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage and a quick boost in board presence for resource acceleration and strategic flexibility.
Instant-speed play keeps opponents uncertain, while specific mana requirements and cost balance its use.
Excel in gameplay with Pouncing Wurm’s versatility, combo potential, and meta-relevance, while staying prepared against it.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you play this spell.) If the kicker cost was paid, Pouncing Wurm comes into play with three +1/+1 counters on it and with haste.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With the capability to potentially bring additional cards into play, the Pouncing Wurm provides a unique edge in maintaining a steady flow of resources, crucial for outmaneuvering opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to give a player a quick boost in board presence can accelerate the pace at which resources are deployed, setting the stage for more strategic plays earlier in the game.

Instant Speed: The adaptability afforded by its instant-speed nature allows players to wait for the optimal moment to unleash the Pouncing Wurm, keeping adversaries guessing and maximizing its impact during gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Pouncing Wurm may ask from you to part with another card to fully utilize its capabilities. This can hinder your game plan, especially if your hand is already running thin on valuable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card comes with a cost that requires green mana, potentially limiting its inclusion to decks that have a strong green mana base or are mono-green altogether.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The Pouncing Wurm could be considered a hefty investment. Its mana cost may be on the higher side when comparing it to other creatures with similar power and abilities that might fit into your strategy more efficiently.

Reasons to Include Pouncing Wurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Pouncing Wurm is a flexible card that can adapt to various green deck strategies. Its morph ability allows you to play it face down as a mystery threat, then turn it face up when the time is right for a surprise impact on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This creature works well with cards that trigger upon creatures entering the battlefield or turning face up. Its potential to be both an early defensive play and a later game aggressive attacker makes it a great combo initiator or follow-up play.

Meta-Relevance: Pouncing Wurm can be particularly effective in a game environment that values tempo and surprise. In a meta where players don’t expect morphing creatures, it can disrupt your opponent’s plans and give you the upper hand during matches.

How to beat

The Pouncing Wurm has the potential to be a considerable threat on the battlefield. This formidable creature card can catch opponents off guard with its versatility and impactful presence. To effectively keep it in check, strategy and foresight are key. Firstly, counterspells are a traditional and efficient way to prevent the Pouncing Wurm from ever hitting the board. Cards like “Cancel” or “Mana Leak” could prove invaluable in this scenario.

Removal spells provide another layer of defense. Quick responses such as “Murder” or “Path to Exile” can eliminate the Wurm before it has the opportunity to leverage its power or abilities. It’s also beneficial to keep pace with its potential landfall triggers if included in certain decks. Playing around the Pouncing Wurm means anticipating sudden surges in power and preparing to act before the creature becomes too much of a threat.

Lastly, maintaining board control with creatures of your own that can block or overpower the Pouncing Wurm is crucial. In many cases, having a well-developed board will deter a Pouncing Wurm from attacking or will help in outmuscling it. While formidable, the Pouncing Wurm is not unbeatable with the right plan in place.

Cards like Pouncing Wurm

Pouncing Wurm is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that offers versatility on the battlefield. It draws comparison to other flexible creature cards like Woolly Thoctar, which also boasts significant power and toughness for its mana cost. However, Woolly Thoctar does not have the kick ability that Pouncing Wurm offers, which allows for a sudden enhancement in power if additional mana is available.

Another comparable card is the Groundbreaker, known for its impactful entrance with immense power that matches Pouncing Wurm’s kicked state. While Groundbreaker doesn’t have the kick mechanic, it compensates with trample and the bonus of being a one-turn surprise due to its ‘sacrifice at end of turn’ clause. The flexibility of Pouncing Wurm to operate as both an early game placement or a late-game powerhouse gives it an edge in strategic deck building compared to the immediate, yet temporary, might of Groundbreaker.

Choosing between these cards hinges on the desired strategy. Pouncing Wurm facilitates a dynamic game plan, adjusting to the ebb and flow of the match, whereas Woolly Thoctar and Groundbreaker serve more specific roles. This adaptable nature of Pouncing Wurm solidifies its position within MTG creature card options, offering both early game relevance and late-game threat potential.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pouncing Wurm MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos, 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 Pouncing Wurm and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pouncing Wurm has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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