Silumgar, the Drifting Death MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 6 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Legendary Creature — Dragon |
Abilities | Flying,Hexproof |
Power | 3 |
Toughness | 7 |
Text of card
Flying, hexproof Whenever a Dragon you control attacks, creatures defending player controls get -1/-1 until end of turn.
"No machinations, no puppet strings, no plots. Just pure, sweeping death." —Tasigur, the Golden Fang
Cards like Silumgar, the Drifting Death
Silumgar the Drifting Death arrives as a powerful fixture in the realm of flying creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. A close comparative card is Icefall Regent, which also taps a creature and makes it more expensive for opponents to target it with abilities or spells. Though they share control attributes, Silumgar edges ahead with his ability to grant -1/-1 to your opponent’s creatures whenever a dragon you control attacks, setting a wider net of impact across the board.
Dragons of Tarkir brought us Dragonlord Ojutai, another formidable dragon with comparable traits. Ojutai boasts hexproof until it attacks and presents card advantage upon dealing combat damage. Unlike Silumgar, it doesn’t weaken opposing forces but offers a more defensive option. Another dragon to consider is Steel Hellkite; while it doesn’t directly decrease creature toughness, it can detonate tokens or troublesome permanents for zero mana, making it a versatile alternative depending on your strategy.
Strategically, Silumgar the Drifting Death sits in a unique position, offering both a defensive and offensive utility that can systematically dismantle your opponent’s board state. Assessing these dragons highlights Silumgar’s unique strength in controlling the battlefield and supporting a long-term game plan.
Cards similar to Silumgar, the Drifting Death by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Silumgar the Drifting Death excels at providing card advantage indirectly through its ability that gives -1/-1 to all creatures your opponents control whenever it attacks. This potent effect can decimate opposing boards and generate card advantage by negating the need to use separate removal spells.
Resource Acceleration: While this card itself does not produce additional resources directly, the sheer presence of Silumgar on the battlefield can save precious spells and mana. This is due to its ability to consistently clear smaller creatures, thus conserving resources that would be spent on handling those threats separately.
Instant Speed: While Silumgar the Drifting Death operates at sorcery speed, it pairs well with instant speed spells. Its hexproof ability ensures it remains a constant threat overlay, allowing players to safely pass turns with mana open for countermagic, removal, or other instant speed interactions, knowing Silumgar’s deterrence remains steadfast on the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Silumgar the Drifting Death doesn’t directly require discarding cards, the need to maintain a full grip to maximize its ability may indirectly pressure players to conserve cards, leading to potentially unfavorable holding patterns.
Specific Mana Cost: As a commander that demands both Black and Blue mana, Silumgar the Drifting Death requires a dedicated mana base, which might restrict deck building and its inclusion to two-color or multicolor decks with a focused mana strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing six mana to cast, Silumgar the Drifting Death can be slower to get into play compared to other dragons or threats at lower mana values. This sometimes gives opponents ample time to prepare or establish board presence before Silumgar becomes a factor.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The commanding presence of Silumgar the Drifting Death on the battlefield resonates with a range of deck types. Its ability to fly and offer board control through -1/-1 to opposing creatures on attack ensures it’s a card that finds its place in decks that lean towards control or dragon synergies.
Combo Potential: Silumgar’s hexproof ensures it can be a consistent menace. This pairs well with any strategy aimed at longevity and control, allowing players to safely set up combos knowing Silumgar will likely remain a fixture on the board, ready to strike or defend.
Meta-Relevance: As creature-heavy decks cycle through the meta, Silumgar’s ability to weaken entire squads of enemies can be invaluable. This holds particular weight in formats where resilience and creature management are key, making Silumgar a relevant choice for players looking to stay a step ahead.
How to beat
Contending with Silumgar the Drifting Death on the battlefield can be quite the conundrum for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts aiming to maintain board presence. This formidable dragon, renowned for its ability to diminish your forces upon attacking, poses a significant challenge. To effectively counteract Silumgar’s influence, it is critical to preemptively eliminate it or negate its abilities before it declares an attack. Utilizing instant speed removal spells that can target Silumgar after it’s been declared as an attacker but before its ability triggers is one approach. Spells like Path to Exile or Reality Shift can be game-changers, removing the threat immediately from the battlefield.
Alternatively, focusing on exile effects sidesteps Silumgar’s hexproof attribute, ensuring it can’t be regaled by conventional means. Another strategy involves granting your creatures indestructibility or utilizing those that already possess it. Cards like Selfless Spirit or creatures with inherent indestructibility are key in preserving your board. Lastly, consider employing counterspells to prevent Silumgar from entering the battlefield in the first place, maintaining control over the game’s pace. Successfully navigating these strategies can turn the tides of the match in your favor against Silumgar the Drifting Death.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the depths of MTG gameplay hinges on recognizing the strengths and limitations of every card, just like with Silumgar the Drifting Death. This dragon brings power and control to your board, but it also comes at a cost and requires strategic deck construction. Whether you’re countering creature-heavy decks or looking to establish dominance with dragon synergies, Silumgar has a role to play. Enhancing your collection with Silumgar means being prepared for meta shifts and having a reliable threat. Curious about integrating Silumgar into your deck or seeking alternatives? Dive in with us as we explore strategies, synergies, and ways to ensure your deck soars above the rest.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Silumgar, the Drifting Death MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Fate Reforged Promos, 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 Silumgar, the Drifting Death and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Silumgar, the Drifting Death Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2017-08-25. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 157 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
2 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged Promos | PFRF | 157s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin | |
3 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 194 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steven Belledin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Silumgar, the Drifting Death has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Silumgar, the Drifting Death card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2014-11-24 | The creatures affected by Silumgar’s triggered ability are determined relative to the Dragon that attacked. For example, if Silumgar attacked one opponent and two other Dragons attacked another opponent, creatures controlled by the first opponent would get -1/-1 until end of turn and creatures controlled by the second opponent would get -2/-2 until end of turn. |