Squirming Mass MTG Card


Squirming Mass can generate card advantage, disrupting opponents while bolstering your hand. Its instant-speed ability adds adaptability, giving players tactical advantages during play. Despite its strengths, the card’s specific mana needs may limit its deck compatibility.
Squirming Mass - Urza's Destiny
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Horror
Abilities Fear
Released1999-06-07
Set symbol
Set nameUrza's Destiny
Set codeUDS
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number73
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRon Spencer

Text of card

Squirming Mass can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and black creatures.

Only the coldest hearts and the strongest stomachs can stand against it.


Cards like Squirming Mass

In the realm of ever-changing threats and defenses, Squirming Mass marks its territory with an intriguing ability set. This uncommon card brings a slice of strategy to the battleground, paralleling, yet distinct from, its counterparts. Squaring off against similar creatures, such as Will-o’-the-Wisp, we notice that both share the power to avoid destruction through regeneration. Where Squirming Mass differs is in its stipulation that commands player attention – a sacrifice unless it’s blocking.

Next up for comparison is Fog Elemental. At a glance, both cards suffer a form of sacrifice when not utilized in defense. However, Fog Elemental boasts a higher power, presenting a stronger offensive option that Squirming Mass lacks. Nonetheless, Squirming Mass requires lower investment, making it a tactical piece in the early to mid-game stages.

Assessing utility and flexibility, Squirming Mass nudges its way into decks seeking versatile defense with minimal commitment. While alternatives like Will-o’-the-Wisp offer an undying presence, and Fog Elemental intimidates with sheer power, Squirming Mass strikes a balance, weaving defensive subtlety into your game plan.

Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Fog Elemental - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Fog Elemental - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Squirming Mass brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield by creating a steady flow of card advantage. Each time it manages to deal damage to a player, you get the opportunity to unearth valuable cards from your library, potentially turning the tides of the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Squirming Mass itself may not directly provide traditional resource acceleration like ramp spells, its ability to disrupt your opponent’s hand and draw you cards can indirectly accelerate your resource advantage. With more options at your disposal, you’re better positioned to utilize your mana each turn effectively.

Instant Speed: The mere presence of Squirming Mass on the battlefield can be a deterrent due to its ability to trigger at instant speed under certain conditions. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the unfolding game and manage your resources smartly, keeping your opponents guessing and giving you the upper hand in the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Squirming Mass might demand you to sacrifice other cards in hand, which could deplete vital resources and leave you at a disadvantage, especially when you need a full grip of options to react to the game’s ever-changing battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating a precise combination of mana to bring into play, this creature can be cumbersome for decks that are not heavily invested in its color identity, making it less flexible for multi-color deck strategies where mana efficiency is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The resources needed to summon Squirming Mass could outweigh its benefits when measured against other cards with similar or lower mana costs, considering the competitive pool of creatures and spells available that might provide more impact and versatility on the board for the same investment.


Reasons to Include Squirming Mass in Your Collection

Versatility: Squirming Mass offers flexibility in deck building. It serves well in strategies centered on creature-based synergies or those using its evasion ability to secure a win.

Combo Potential: Its capacity to avoid being targeted easily means it can engage in combos without being easily disrupted by your opponents’ spells or abilities.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the dynamic nature of MTG’s meta, Squirming Mass can adapt well in environments where untargetable creatures create favorable matchups against control decks relying on targeted removal.


How to beat

Squirming Mass might seem intimidating with its ability to continually reemerge on the battlefield. This creature card can quickly become a persistent menace, reverting to its owner’s hand when dealt damage instead of perishing for good. It’s a thorn in the side of any MTG player who isn’t prepared with a strategy.

Victory lies in sidestepping the traditional combat damage route. Effective tactics include employing spells that nullify abilities, using exile effects, or imposing sacrificing mechanics. An exile action such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can cleanly remove Squirming Mass from the game. Alternatively, forcing your opponent to sacrifice it through actions like Diabolic Edict negates its bouncing ability. Disabling the traits of cards with abilities like those of Squirming Mass can also prove to be your best bet. A spell such as Pithing Needle might just be the trump card needed to stop this creature from squirming back to a player’s hand and achieving a winning board state.

Harness these strategic moves, and you’ll contain the Squirming Mass, transforming a potential threat into a manageable aspect of your gameplay strategy. Preparedness and clever maneuvering are the keys to mastering encounters with resilient creatures like this in Magic: The Gathering.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Squirming Mass MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Destiny, 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 Squirming Mass and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Squirming Mass has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal