Slivers Reappear in Magic: The Gathering's Latest Set, Edge of Eternities, But Not as Anticipated

Long-awaited by enthusiasts of the popular trading card game Magic: The Gathering, the iconic, hive-minded Slivers have made an unexpected reappearance in the latest expansion, Edge of Eternities. While players might have hoped for a resurgence of these fan-favorite creatures on the battlefield, their return is far more enigmatic, woven into the fabric of the set's expanding lore rather than through a host of new playable cards. This intriguing development leaves the community abuzz with anticipation for what the future holds for these beloved, yet unsettling, entities.

Mysterious Return: Slivers in 'Edge of Eternities'

In a surprising twist for Magic: The Gathering aficionados, the creature type known as Slivers has returned to the game's narrative landscape with the release of the Edge of Eternities set on July 9, 2025. Hailing from Wizards of the Coast, this development has captivated the player base, particularly those who cherish the Slivers' unique ability to share traits across their collective. Originating from the 1997 Tempest expansion, Slivers have historically been a cornerstone of tribal decks due to their distinctive mechanics.

Despite fervent hopes for a full-fledged reintroduction, the new set features only a singular card referencing Slivers: “Thrumming Hivepool.” This rare artifact card, illustrated by Rob Rey, while undeniably potent for Sliver-themed decks, is not itself a creature, leaving a void for those yearning for fresh Sliver creatures. More notably, these parasitic, shapeshifting beings are not central to the main storyline of Edge of Eternities. However, tantalizing clues embedded within the game's lore suggest their continued presence within this captivating new universe.

The lore of Slivers, drawing inspiration from sci-fi tropes of alien swarms akin to Warhammer 40k's Tyranids, has always been shrouded in mystery. Their historical narrative within Magic: The Gathering speaks of an unnamed plane where they were initially exploited for their adaptable nature, only to rise under the command of their hidden matriarch, the Gravemother, to dominate their world. Later, the malevolent Evincar of Rath, Volrath, transported Slivers and a Sliver Queen to serve Phyrexian schemes to conquer Dominaria. Following the Phyrexian invasion's defeat, most Slivers and their Queen perished. The few remaining dormant specimens were later unearthed by the Riptide Project, whose wizards, in a classic sci-fi turn of events, lost control of the creatures. These rogue Slivers now roam Dominaria, awaiting a new master or, perhaps, the emergence of another Sliver Queen.

Beyond supplemental sets like Commander Masters and Time Spiral Remastered, Slivers last appeared in a primary Magic: The Gathering set in 2019's Modern Horizons. Given the cosmic, space-opera theme of Edge of Eternities, many players anticipated a more substantial return for these Xenomorph-like creatures. The narrative accompanying Edge of Eternities, penned by Seth Dickinson, even references Slivers as fictional entities within the Sothera system, appearing in films and mimicking sounds to ensnare victims, a clear homage to the Alien franchise.

However, the existence of Slivers beyond fiction in the Sothera system is subtly confirmed by the “Thrumming Hivepool” card, which depicts them confined on a “rock” — possibly an asteroid. An encrypted log detailing their presence, discovered either by an unfortunate explorer or an experimental scientist, strongly alludes to a continuation of the Riptide Project's themes. Further intriguing hints surface in the artwork for “Wurmwall Sweeper,” where a familiar shape is discernible in the lower-left corner, seemingly poised in a desolate landscape awaiting a spaceship's arrival. This suggests that the desolate Wurmwall, a remote expanse within the Sothera system, will likely be the setting for the next chapter of the Sliver saga. The prospect of colossal space wurms coexisting with a new wave of Slivers is an exciting one for fans.

From a journalist's perspective, this strategic and somewhat clandestine reintroduction of Slivers by Wizards of the Coast is a masterclass in building suspense and leveraging fan engagement. By providing mere glimpses and lore tidbits instead of a full release, they've ignited the community's imagination, transforming absence into anticipation. It's a clever tactic that maintains the mystique of these iconic creatures while setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive and satisfying return in a future set. This slow-burn approach allows for deeper world-building and character development, potentially leading to a more impactful narrative when the Slivers finally take center stage once more.