Ruination Wurm MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wurm
Released	2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Gatecrash
Set code	GTC
Power	7
Toughness	6
Number	192
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Dave Kendall

Key Takeaways

Ruination Wurm offers continuous board pressure, serving as a formidable long-term presence.
Its specific mana cost requires strategic deck building, potentially limiting versatility.
Potential includes combo applications and meta relevance, making it a flexible attacker.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ruination Wurm offers enduring board presence, meaning once it’s played, it provides continuous pressure on opponents without the need for further investment, which can be considered a form of card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly interacting with resource acceleration, Ruination Wurm can benefit from various ramp strategies within the game, allowing for earlier deployment and the potential for overpowering your adversary ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: Though Ruination Wurm itself may not have instant speed, its hefty presence can influence your opponent’s decisions at instant speed, deterring them from attacking and potentially causing them to waste instant speed removals or tricks on it instead of more crucial targets.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Not applicable to Ruination Wurm, as it doesn’t have a discard effect.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Ruination Wurm involves both red and green mana, which restricts deck-building flexibility. This specific mana requirement can be a barrier for players who prefer mono-colored or decks that do not feature both colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ruination Wurm’s six total mana cost, split between four generic and one each of red and green, may be considered steep. When assessing the value you get from this creature, the cost may deter some players, especially considering that there are other creatures with similar or more potent abilities at a lower cost threshold.

Reasons to Include Ruination Wurm in Your Collection

Versatility: Ruination Wurm’s sheer power and toughness make it a substantial presence on the battlefield. Its ability to become a game-changer in a variety of deck archetypes adds to its usefulness. Whether in limited or constructed formats, it provides an impactful option for players looking to make a statement with their creature plays.

Combo Potential: This creature pairs well with mechanics that capitalize on high-power creatures. In decks that benefit from cards like “Rancor” or “Fling,” Ruination Wurm provides a solid base for potent combos, potentially turning the tide of the game in a single turn.

Meta-Relevance: As the game environment changes, the significance of reliable and powerful creatures like Ruination Wurm often increases. In a meta where board presence is key, this card’s ability to hold its own and pressure opponents is an asset to many strategies, especially those looking to out muscle control or midrange opponents.

How to beat

The battlefield can quickly become overwhelming when facing the Ruination Wurm, a formidable creature card in MTG. Boasting a significant power and toughness, this wurm can be a real thorn in your side. To outmaneuver it, consider keeping removal spells handy. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade can dispatch it before it wreaks havoc. Another strategy is to outpace your opponent by building a wide board presence. This forces the Wurm’s controller to make difficult blocking decisions.

Countermagic also plays a crucial role against creature-heavy decks that field threats like the Ruination Wurm. Having a well-timed Counterspell or Essence Scatter can neutralize the Wurm before it can even roar onto the battlefield. Additionally, enlisting creatures with deathtouch ensures that any trade with the Wurm is lethal, regardless of its size. Strategic use of these methods can keep the Wurm in check and maintain your control over the game.

Dealing with the Ruination Wurm also involves denying your opponent the resources to play it. Land destruction or mana disruption strategies could impede their ability to summon the Wurm in the first place. Thus, with these tailored tactics, you can subdue the force of the Ruination Wurm and maintain the upper hand throughout your MTG duel.

Cards like Ruination Wurm

Ruination Wurm is an imposing creature that finds its place among other hefty beasties in Magic: The Gathering. It shares common ground with creatures like Craw Wurm, a classic sizable green creature that similarly offers a lot of power and toughness for the mana invested. However, whereas Craw Wurm’s simple presence on the battlefield is its mainstay, Ruination Wurm comes with the additional flavor of representing the destructive forces of the Gruul Clans, thanks to its association with the “Bloodrush” ability in some formats.

Venturing into the realm of multicolored giants, we encounter the likes of Ghor-Clan Rampager. This creature not only boasts an efficient power-to-cost ratio but also carries the versatility of the “Bloodrush” ability, giving it an edge in combat scenarios over the plain stats of Ruination Wurm. Additionally, Ghor-Clan Rampager can serve as both a creature and an instant combat trick, unlike the straightforward beatdown strategy of Ruination Wurm.

Altogether, while Ruination Wurm may not be the most innovative creature in terms of abilities, its raw strength on the battlefield makes it a sturdy contender in the roster of MTG’s creature spells. Players who favor brute force tactics may find Ruination Wurm a worthwhile inclusion in their decks.

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

The Lady of the Mountain - MTG Card versions

Jerrard of the Closed Fist - MTG Card versions

Phylath, World Sculptor - MTG Card versions

Wort, the Raidmother - MTG Card versions

Marhault Elsdragon - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Livonya Silone - Masters Edition III (ME3)

The Lady of the Mountain - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Jerrard of the Closed Fist - Masters Edition III (ME3)

Shambling Strider - Masters Edition (ME1)

Sarinth Greatwurm - The Brothers' War (BRO)

Phylath, World Sculptor - Zendikar Rising Promos (PZNR)

Wort, the Raidmother - Commander 2020 (C20)

Dragonlair Spider - Planechase Anthology (PCA)

Where to buy

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