Vampiric Sliver MTG Card

Enhances Slivers with lifelink, turning each creature into a durable, life-gaining force on the battlefield. Instant-speed interaction potential provides tactical advantages during key moments of gameplay. Demands black and colorless mana, placing constraints on deck-building versatility and resource management.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Sliver
Released	2006-10-06
Set symbol
Set name	Time Spiral
Set code	TSP
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	140
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Thomas M. Baxa

Text of card

All Slivers have "Whenever a creature dealt damage by this creature this turn is put into a graveyard, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature."

They draw upon the strength of their hive and of their victims.

Cards like Vampiric Sliver

In Magic: The Gathering, Vampiric Sliver is a notable card among Sliver creatures that offers a unique blend of abilities. It can easily be compared to the likes of Sedge Sliver, which, while it provides a toughness boost and regeneration ability, lacks the life gain aspect that Vampiric Sliver brings to the table. Both cards synergize with other Slivers, yet Vampiric Sliver’s potential to swing life totals is distinct.

Another peer in the same family is the Clot Sliver, allowing regeneration of Slivers at a lower cost, giving them durability in combat, but again, not affecting life totals. On the other hand, Syphon Sliver offers a similar life gain ability across your army of Slivers. However, Vampiric Sliver stands out for its ability to individually grow stronger and become a formidable threat on its own.

Considering these comparisons, Vampiric Sliver carves out its own niche. Providing both a buff to its power and the valuable life-link like ability on a per-use basis, it poses a strategic advantage in the right Sliver deck. The combination of size increase and life gain makes it an excellent player in Sliver-centric strategies within the vast landscape of MTG cards.

Cards similar to Vampiric Sliver by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Vampiric Sliver allows you to bulk up your Sliver creatures, which can potentially translate into card advantage as your enhanced creatures are harder for your opponents to deal with, often requiring them to use multiple cards to handle what is effectively your one card investment.

Resource Acceleration: This card symbiotically enhances Slivers you control, which effectively accelerates your resources on the battlefield. Each Sliver, now with additional lifelink, becomes a more valuable asset, contributing to a stronger, more resilient board state without the need for extra mana investment.

Instant Speed: As a creature card, Vampiric Sliver doesn’t have instant speed itself. However, its lifelink ability can create significant interactions at instant speed during combat or in response to instant-speed removal, giving you the flexibility to adapt and potentially save your creatures or secure game-winning life points during tight situations.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Vampiric Sliver is the need to discard a card to activate its ability. This can be particularly taxing when your hand is already depleted, or the game is at a critical juncture where every card in hand could turn the tide in your favor.

Specific Mana Cost: Another limitation arises from its casting cost that requires both black and colorless mana. This makes the card somewhat restrictive as it needs a deck built around or at least accommodating these specific mana requirements, potentially limiting its versatility across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Furthermore, Vampiric Sliver has a casting cost that is considered high for its effects compared to other slivers or creatures in the game. This may deter some players from including it in their decks, as there are alternatives that provide similar benefits without such a substantial mana investment.

Reasons to Include Vampiric Sliver in Your Collection

Versatility: Vampiric Sliver is a flexible card that can be a significant asset in various Sliver decks. The ability to grant all Sliver creatures lifelink not only enhances their survivability in combat but also provides a way to maintain life totals while outlasting opponents.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with a multitude of other Sliver cards, creating opportunities for powerful interactions. Imagine pairing it with “Quick Sliver” to surprise your adversary with instant-speed lifelink or with “Pulmonic Sliver” to ensure your creatures come back for another round.

Meta-Relevance: At a time when aggressive decks are prevalent, the lifelink provided by Vampiric Sliver can turn the tide of battle, helping to stabilize against fast-paced offenses. In a meta where races to the bottom life total are common, having a source of consistent life gain can be a game-changer.

How to beat Vampiric Sliver

Vampiric Sliver presents a unique challenge in MTG, enhancing Slivers’ predatory nature with a powerful life-draining ability. Integrating it into a Sliver tribal deck not only bolsters your creatures but depletes opponents’ life totals with each successful attack. This synergy makes overcoming a board state teeming with these vampiric forces a daunting task.

To counter the Vampiric Sliver’s advantage, removal spells that can target multiple creatures, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can effectively clear the board before the Slivers’ abilities intensify. Since Slivers often rely on their communal strength, breaking their ranks with spot removal on key pieces can inhibit the collective’s efficacy. Dependable single-target spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can also disrupt the tribal synergy, thereby diminishing Vampiric Sliver’s impact.

Adopting strategies that prevent Sliver abilities from activating is another prudent approach. Cards that negate creature abilities, such as Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, provide a barrier against the life-linking effect, levelling the playing field. Furthermore, crafting your deck to have a robust early game defense can prevent a Sliver strategy from evolving into an overwhelming force, rendering Vampiric Sliver less of a threat.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vampiric Sliver MTG card by a specific set like Time Spiral, 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 Vampiric Sliver and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vampiric Sliver has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2006-09-25	If Vampiric Sliver is put into a graveyard from the battlefield at the same time as a creature dealt damage by another Sliver, the Vampiric Sliver’s ability will trigger for the other Sliver. That Sliver will get a +1/+1 counter.
2006-09-25	If a Sliver doesn’t have this ability when it deals damage, but does have it when the damaged creature is put into a graveyard, the ability will trigger.
2006-09-25	If a Sliver has this ability when it deals damage, but not when the damaged creature is put into a graveyard, nothing happens.
2013-07-01	Abilities that Slivers grant, as well as power/toughness boosts, are cumulative. However, for some abilities, like flying, having more than one instance of the ability doesn’t provide any additional benefit.
2013-07-01	If the creature type of a Sliver changes so it’s no longer a Sliver, it will no longer be affected by its own ability. Its ability will continue to affect other Sliver creatures.