Battering Wurm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Wurm
Abilities	Bloodthirst
Released	2006-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Guildpact
Set code	GPT
Power	4
Toughness	3
Number	79
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Darrell Riche

Key Takeaways

Wurm offers sizable combat advantages and can serve as a linchpin in green creature-focused strategies.
It suffers from a restrictive mana cost and high casting cost, which must be accounted for in deck building.
Inclusion in a collection should consider its combo potential and effectiveness in current meta-game.

Text of card

Bloodthirst 1 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it.) Creatures with power less than Battering Wurm's power can't block it.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Battering Wurm benefits from the card advantage it provides by participating in successful combat due to its formidable size, often trading with more than one smaller creature or surviving damage that would typically destroy smaller attackers or blockers.

Resource Acceleration: The card’s presence on the battlefield can be a form of resource acceleration in green decks that thrive on having substantial creatures in play. This may enable the use of cards or abilities that rely on creature size or quantity to produce additional mana or effects, thereby propelling game progress.

Instant Speed: The ability to flash in creatures like Battering Wurm at instant speed significantly enhances game strategy, allowing for surprise blocks or end-of-turn plays that keep opponents guessing and disrupt their plans.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hosting a discard requirement, Battering Wurm can place players in a tough spot, especially when their hand is already stretched thin on options and every card in hand is crucial for maintaining their board presence or strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Battering Wurm demands a specific blend of mana types for casting, which can be a stumbling block for decks that aren’t heavily focused on green or don’t have a reliable mana base to consistently provide the exact cost.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Battering Wurm definitely brings size to the table, the mana investment required is substantial in a game where efficiency is key. Other creatures or spells at a similar cost might offer immediate impact or versatility that Battering Wurm lacks, potentially placing it at a disadvantage in a competitive environment.

Reasons to Include Battering Wurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Battering Wurm brings adaptability to green decks by effortlessly slotting into strategies that capitalize on trample and high power creatures. Its ability to break through stalemates makes it a solid addition to any arsenal.

Combo Potential: Leveraging its bloodthirst mechanism, this wurm can be a key piece in combos that amplify creature stats or utilize damage to unlock powerful effects, further bolstering its place in combat-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given its propensity to grow rapidly in creature-focused formats, Battering Wurm can be a consequential threat. Its presence on the board is a deterrent to opponents, especially in environments where sizable creatures dominate the battlefield.

How to beat

Battering Wurm is a unique card found in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, specifically within the green arsenal of creature cards. Known for its formidable Trample ability and the bloodthirst mechanic, this card has the potential to grow into a significant threat on the battlefield if not addressed quickly. Its strength increases further when opponents have lost life in the turn before it hits the field, making it a creature that can escalate in power rapidly.

To effectively counteract Battering Wurm, one can employ several strategies. Spot removal spells are particularly effective at dealing with single large creatures. Cards like Path to Exile or Murder offer a direct way to remove the creature from the game, regardless of its size. Alternatively, counter magic such as Counterspell or Mana Leak prevent the Wurm from ever taking root on the board.

Enchantment-based solutions such as Pacifism or Lignify can neutralize the Wurm without having to remove it, nullifying its threat while it remains on the battlefield. In conclusion, while Battering Wurm can be a considerable force, there are multiple ways to tackle this creature, thus keeping it from overwhelming the gaming landscape of Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Battering Wurm

The Battering Wurm is a unique creature card that brings its distinctive effect called trample to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. For those looking for similar cards, Siege Wurm is a comparable creature, offering a similar trample ability, allowing excess damage to be inflicted even after destroying a blocking creature. However, the Battering Wurm comes with a unique twist thanks to its bloodthirst feature, gaining power for each damage dealt to your opponents this turn.

Another creature card echoing the trample effect is Stampeding Rhino. While this card doesn’t boast any additional mechanic like bloodthirst, it’s renowned for its solid stats, providing a formidable force much like the Battering Wurm. Yet, the Wurm’s potential for increased power based on the game-state sets it apart. Then consider Duskdale Wurm, another massive trampler. It lacks the bloodthirst mechanic but compensates with its sheer strength and toughness.

Ultimately, each of these trampling titans has its own role in a player’s deck depending on strategy and situation. However, Battering Wurm’s potential to become a more powerful force under the right conditions gives it a niche advantage in the realm of creature cards with trample in Magic: The Gathering.

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

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Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Battering Wurm 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 Battering Wurm card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.