MTG Slivers Return: A New Twist
Slivers Are Back in Magic: The Gathering – And They’re Hiding in Deep Space
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For two decades, Magic: The Gathering players have yearned for the return of one of the game’s most unique and notoriously powerful creature types: slivers. After a long absence, these hive-minded, synergistic beings are finally making their way back to the Multiverse, but not in the way you might expect. Their reintroduction isn’t happening on a familiar plane; its unfolding in the vast, unexplored reaches of space within the Sothera system, introduced in the Outlaws of Thunder Junction and Edge of Eternities sets.Let’s dive into the clues Wizards of the Coast has been dropping, and where we can expect to see these creatures fully emerge.
A Long Hiatus and a Cryptic Return
Slivers haven’t been a major part of Magic since the Time Spiral block in 2006-2007. Their unique ability to grant bonuses to all other Slivers on the battlefield made them incredibly strong, and frequently enough led to dominant (and sometiems frustrating) gameplay. Wizards has been understandably cautious about bringing them back in full force, wanting to avoid the power imbalances of the past.Instead of a full-blown return, the story team has opted for a slow burn, hinting at their existence within the new, space-western setting of Sothera. This approach builds anticipation and allows for a more organic reintroduction of the creatures into the game. It’s a clever way to satisfy long-time fans while also presenting Slivers to a new generation of players.
Clues in the Lore: Where Have the Slivers Been?
The initial hints of Slivers appeared in Outlaws of Thunder Junction, but it’s Edge of Eternities where the story really starts to unfold. The card Thrumming Hivepool is a key piece of the puzzle. The lore text reveals that Slivers aren’t native to the plane of Sothera,but are instead trapped on a “rock” – likely an asteroid or similar celestial body – within the system.
This suggests a history of containment, or perhaps even experimentation. The lore mentions an encrypted log detailing the creatures’ existence, potentially left behind by an explorer or, more intriguingly, a scientist involved in the Riptide Project. This connection to the Riptide Project, a shadowy association already established in Sothera lore, adds a layer of mystery and intrigue. Were the Slivers brought to Sothera intentionally? And if so, by whom, and for what purpose?
Another potential sighting occurs in RJ Taylor’s short story, Grasp in the Dark, though it’s far more ambiguous. A creature is described, but the details are too vague to confirm its identity as a Sliver. Still, it adds to the growing sense that something is lurking in the shadows of Sothera.
The Wurmwall: A Sliver Hideout?
The most compelling evidence for the Slivers’ location comes from the art for the card Wurmwall Sweeper. Take a close look at the bottom-left corner of the illustration. Hidden in the darkness of a barren landscape, a distinctly Sliver-shaped form is visible, seemingly waiting for a spaceship to land.This isn’t a coincidence. The Wurmwall is a hazardous and remote expanse of space within the Sothera system, and it appears to be where the next chapter of the story will unfold. This strongly suggests that the Slivers are actively present in the Wurmwall, perhaps even using it as a base of operations.