Plated Sliver

Plated Sliver was released in 2003 as part of the Legions expansion for Magic: The Gathering. This set was unique in the history of the game as the first to consist entirely of creature cards. The Sliver creature type, first introduced in the Tempest block, is defined by a hive-mind mechanic where each Sliver grants a specific ability to all other Slivers on the battlefield, encouraging players to build decks centered around synergy and tribal coordination.

The card features artwork by Christopher Moeller, who was a prolific illustrator for Wizards of the Coast during this era. His design for the Plated Sliver reflects the evolution of the creature's aesthetics, leaning into a more armored, chitinous appearance that aligns with the card's ability to grant defensive toughness to the swarm. Upon its release, it became a foundational piece for Sliver-based decks, prized by players for its low mana cost and its role as an efficient defensive utility in an aggressive tribal archetype.