Warping Wurm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Wurm
Abilities	Phasing
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	287
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Grants card advantage by dodging removals when phased out, potentially swinging games in your favor.
Enhances your battlefield presence without extra mana costs for a creature that can return ready for action.
Instant speed synergy improves combat flexibility and broadens strategic options within your turns.

Text of card

Phasing During your upkeep, pay o Go U or Warping Wurm phases out. When Warping Wurm phases in, put a +1/+1 counter on it.

Even wurms start out small.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Warping Wurm grants you the benefit of phased-out mechanics, often dodging removal spells which can indirectly translate to card advantage against opponent interactions.

Resource Acceleration: As a creature that can return to the battlefield ready for action, Warping Wurm aids in consistently populating the field without additional mana expenditure, thus slightly enhancing your resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: Although Warping Wurm itself doesn’t have flash, it synergizes well with cards that can manipulate phasing at instant speed, allowing for surprise blockers or attackers, and adaptive combat tricks within your turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating Warping Wurm’s phasing ability comes with the prerequisite of discarding a card, potentially causing a setback if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Warping Wurm’s casting cost demands one green and two blue mana which ties it specifically to Simic decks, reducing its flexibility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of four mana to bring Warping Wurm into play, it competes with other options that may provide a more immediate board presence or advantages without the conditional phasing.

Reasons to Include Warping Wurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Warping Wurm is a card that presents diverse play options thanks to its phase-out mechanic. This allows you to dodge removal and set the stage for a big comeback during your next turn.

Combo Potential: It works excellently with cards that have beneficial triggers when a creature enters the battlefield or leaves play. It can also engage in powerful interactions with enchantments that capitalize on the creature entering play untapped.

Meta-Relevance: In an ever-shifting competitive landscape, Warping Wurm can exploit gaps in decks that are unprepared for its unique mechanics. This gives players using it an edge in certain matches, especially where opponents may not anticipate its recurring board presence.

How to beat

Warping Wurm brings a unique ability to the table, positioning it as a distinct green and blue creature in the Magic: The Gathering universe. This card requires a strategic approach to handle effectively on the battlefield. Its phases in and out of play mechanics mean that traditional removal spells may not always be timely or effective.

The key to conquering Warping Wurm lies in anticipating its phasing out and targeting it when it phases in. Utilizing instant-speed removal when the Wurm is vulnerable, before the beginning of your upkeep, can circumvent its phasing ability. It also pays to keep in mind that the card is anchored to its phasing trigger. Hence, playing around this predictability can provide the upper hand.

Counterspells are another potent weapon against Warping Wurm, stopping the creature from ever entering the battlefield. If the Wurm has already made its appearance, creature abilities or spells that force sacrifices can also be highly effective, as they disregard the phasing mechanic altogether. Ultimately, staying one step ahead of the Warping Wurm’s phases and utilizing precise timing and removal tactics are your keys to success in overcoming this shapeshifting challenge.

Cards like Warping Wurm

Warping Wurm is a unique card in the realm of creature spells within Magic: The Gathering. It bears some similarities to cards like Chronozoa, which also plays with time-related mechanics, perpetuating itself on the battlefield. However, Warping Wurm brings a distinct flavor of versatility as it phases in and out of the game, offering opportunities to evade removal or benefiting from enter-the-battlefield triggers multiple times.

Another comparable card is Flickerwisp. It too, manipulates the battlefield presence of creatures, but does so by exiling them until end of turn, which can be both a boon and a bane, dependent on the board state and timing. Warping Wurm, with its built-in phase out ability, ensures a consistent albeit slower recurrence without leaving the battlefield. Then, we have the classic Aetherling, offering predictable and controlled phasing while also allowing for power and toughness adjustments. It demands more active resource management when compared to Warping Wurm’s passive trigger during upkeep.

Assessing Warping Wurm against its counterparts, it maintains a niche spot in Magic: The Gathering with its self-contained phasing mechanism that provides defensive durability and tactical surprise, setting it apart in strategies that capitalize on avoiding interactions or desire to manipulate their own permanents.

Cards similar to Warping Wurm by color, type and mana cost

Adrix and Nev, Twincasters - MTG Card versions

Ezuri, Claw of Progress - MTG Card versions

Rashmi, Eternities Crafter - MTG Card versions

Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix - MTG Card versions

Zegana, Utopian Speaker - MTG Card versions

Louvaq, the Aberrant - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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