Basal Sliver MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Sliver
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Basal Sliver ensures card advantage through Sliver synergy, potentially outpacing opponents in resources.
  2. Resource acceleration is possible by sacrificing Slivers for mana, leading to earlier high-impact plays.
  3. Instant speed activation allows strategic flexibility, keeping opponents uncertain during their turn.

Text of card

All Slivers have "Sacrifice this creature: Add to your mana pool."

"Fascinating . . . These creatures display the paradox of tenacity and purposed self-destruction I have sought to breed into my thrulls." —Endrek Sahr, master breeder


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Basal Sliver’s ability can be a pivotal engine for card advantage in a deck built around Sliver synergy. Each Sliver you control becomes a potential resource not just in combat but also as an asset for effects requiring sacrifice, edging you towards outpacing your opponent in resources.

Resource Acceleration: This unique Sliver offers resource acceleration by giving you access to extra mana through sacrificing Slivers. This can lead to explosive plays by enabling higher-cost spells and abilities earlier than you would typically be able to use them.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Basal Sliver’s mana ability at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows strategic depth by permitting last-minute plays, responding to opponents’ actions, or simply bluffing potential interactions during their turn, keeping your adversaries on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the setbacks to playing Basal Sliver is the potential need to sacrifice the creature itself or another sliver you control, which can diminish your board presence and strategically set you back if not timed correctly.

Specific Mana Cost: Basal Sliver demands black mana in its casting cost, which naturally restricts it to decks that can produce or have access to black mana, limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher end, especially for sliver creatures, Basal Sliver might not always be the most mana-efficient play. Sliver decks usually benefit from a critical mass of lower-cost creatures to maintain tempo and pressure on the opponent.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Basal Sliver offers a rare function in the Sliver archetype – providing mana of any color. This makes it a staple in Sliver decks, as it can easily facilitate the casting of other slivers or multi-color spells.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to sacrifice Slivers for mana lends itself to various combos. For instance, it can pair well with cards that capitalize on creature death or mana acceleration for game-winning plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence and big plays can turn the tide, Basal Sliver can be critical. It enables quick deployments of threats or provides mana for crucial responses, making it a card that adapts well to the dynamic MTG landscape.


How to beat

Basal Sliver is an intriguing creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering a unique advantage by allowing Sliver creatures you control to be sacrificed for mana. This becomes a powerful engine in a Sliver-based deck, especially when you’re aiming to summon larger threats or activate costly abilities. To overcome Basal Sliver, your strategy should involve removal spells effectively targeting this key creature before its ability can be used. Removing it quickly is essential, as it can otherwise escalate the Sliver synergy out of control. Board wipes are also particularly effective, as they address the wider issue of multiple Slivers boosting each other’s capabilities.

Control decks that can counter creature spells or keep the board clear of Slivers will stand a better chance against a Basal Sliver tactic. It’s also smart to disrupt the opponent’s mana base, reducing their ability to cast Basal Sliver in the early stages of the game. In the battle against a Basal Sliver deck, remember the importance of timing and choosing the right moment to strike, removing this key card before it becomes the cornerstone of your opponent’s strategy.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Basal Sliver is essential for MTG players looking to optimize their Sliver decks. Its ability to transform your slivers into potent mana sources can turn the tide of a game, giving you an edge through card advantage and resource acceleration. Despite its potential drawbacks such as reducing board presence, Basal Sliver’s versatility within the MTG meta cannot be ignored. If you’re intrigued by its combo potential or simply looking to enhance your collection, recognizing opportunities to use Basal Sliver effectively against opponents is a skill worth developing. Dive deeper into MTG strategy and learn how to leverage Basal Sliver’s unique abilities to outplay your adversaries.


Cards like Basal Sliver

Basal Sliver has a unique presence within Magic: The Gathering creature archetypes as it echoes the utility of mana-generating cards. Comparable to Manaweft Sliver, which also facilitates mana ramping for Sliver creatures, Basal Sliver adds a twist by offering black mana generation through sacrificing Slivers. This gain of instant-speed mana is particularly valuable in decks that thrive on utilizing mana at critical moments.

Another parallel can be drawn with Skirk Prospector, a card that shares the sacrificial theme but focuses on Goblins instead of Slivers. While Skirk Prospector generates red mana, Basal Sliver diversifies with black mana, illustrating the different strategic routes each creature can enable. Cryptolith Fragment is yet another alternative mana source but is limited by transforming into Aurora of Emrakul, losing its mana diversity.

Overall, Basal Sliver presents a compelling choice for players seeking to exploit the synergies within a Sliver deck, offering not just a mana boost but also strategic depth given its alignment with black mana – a staple for decisive actions in the game. Its uniqueness ensures its niche in Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creature options.

Manaweft Sliver - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Manaweft Sliver - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Basal Sliver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by Drew Tucker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-10-06Time SpiralTSP 962003NormalBlackDrew Tucker
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6292015NormalBlackDrew Tucker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Basal Sliver has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
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.

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