Shivan Wumpus is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Trample When this creature enters, any player may sacrifice a land of their choice. If a player does, put this creature on top of its owner's library.
Complete guide
Shivan Wumpus is a high-stature Beast that offers a massive body for a low mana cost, but it comes with a social catch. When it arrives on the battlefield, your opponents must decide if they are willing to part with their resources to keep this threat at bay. This card creates a tense political moment every time it enters play.
The Price of Admission
Shivan Wumpus is a 5/5 creature with Trample for only four mana, which is significantly above the average power curve. Its triggered ability is what balances this power: as it enters, any player can sacrifice a land to force it back onto the top of your library. If no one is willing to lose a land, you keep your undercosted Behemoth.
Resolving the Trigger
When the ability resolves, the active player (usually you, if it is your turn) is the first to decide whether to sacrifice a land. If you decline, the option moves to the next player in turn order. If a player chooses to sacrifice a land, Shivan Wumpus is immediately moved to the top of its owner's library. Note that according to official rulings, even if the Wumpus is moved, remaining players still get the option to sacrifice a land if they really want to for some reason, though the main effect has already occurred.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is assuming the Wumpus goes to the hand; it specifically goes to the top of the library, meaning it will be your next draw. Another mistake is thinking you can respond after a player chooses to sacrifice. Once a player makes the choice to sacrifice during the resolution of the ability, the Wumpus is moved immediately and it is too late to cast spells to save it or give it Hexproof.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Beast' chosen as the type, Shivan Wumpus will trigger twice when it enters. If an opponent sacrifices a land for the first trigger, the Wumpus goes to the top of your library. When the second trigger resolves, players can still sacrifice lands, but since the Wumpus is no longer on the battlefield, it cannot be moved again.
Solemn SimulacrumIf you play Solemn Simulacrum first, you pull a basic land from your library. This thins your deck so that if an opponent sacrifices a land to put Shivan Wumpus on top of your library, you are more likely to draw the Wumpus again without 'wasting' a draw on a basic land. Furthermore, if you are the one who chooses to sacrifice a land to the Wumpus (perhaps to trigger a graveyard effect), the Simulacrum has already ensured you haven't fallen behind on mana.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Shivan Wumpus
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
When Shivan Wumpus enters, first the active player gets the option to sacrifice a land. If they decline, the next player in turn order gets the option. If a player elects to sacrifice a land, Shivan Wumpus is put on top of its owner's library, but then all remaining players still get the option. If all players decline, then nothing happens and Shivan Wumpus stays on the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Shivan Wumpus
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.