Anowon, the Ruin Sage MTG Card


Anowon’s ability to force sacrifices enhances vampire decks and disrupts opponents’ gameplay strategies. Deck composition must be strategic to avoid Anowon’s potential drawback of sacrificing your own vampires. Anowon’s inclusion in your collection bolsters vampire tribal themes and offers combo potential in various formats.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire Shaman
Power 4
Toughness 3

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, each player sacrifices a non-Vampire creature.

"So many have died in search of that map. And now it appears in the hands of the arrogant child Chandra Nalaar."


Cards like Anowon, the Ruin Sage

Within the vast array of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Anowon the Ruin Sage holds a unique place. Reflecting on vampiric kin cards like Bloodline Keeper, similarities arise with their vampire-focus and ability to influence the board with their presence. Anowon the Ruin Sage requires each player to sacrifice a non-vampire creature at the beginning of their upkeep, a powerful ability that can dismantle opponents’ strategies over time. Bloodline Keeper, while it doesn’t force sacrifices, can create vampire tokens, enhancing your vampire army each turn.

Then consider Malakir Bloodwitch, another vampire ally. While Anowon the Ruin Sage isn’t a direct life-swiping threat, Malakir Bloodwitch can impact life totals significantly upon entry to the battlefield, providing not only a drain-life effect but also protection from white spells. Yet, it lacks Anowon’s consistent board control advantage. Captivating Vampire might be smaller in stature, but it amplifies the power of a vampire deck by giving you control over your opponents’ creatures, transforming them into vampires. This card complements Anowon’s abilities by potentially expanding the range of sacrifice targets.

Evaluating their potential, Anowon the Ruin Sage embodies a menacing, ongoing threat that asks deck builders to strategize around its sacrifice mechanic. A powerful contender within the vampire archetype, it demands specific answers from opponents, marking its strength in forcing regular sacrifices.

Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Captivating Vampire - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Captivating Vampire - MTG Card versions

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Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
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Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Anowon the Ruin Sage ensures continuous card advantage in vampire-themed decks by compelling each opponent to sacrifice a non-vampire creature during your upkeep. This repetitive mechanic gradually diminishes opponents’ resources while maintaining or growing your own board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although Anowon itself does not directly result in resource acceleration, the advantage gained from opponents losing creatures can indirectly lead to an acceleration of your game plan, particularly as your vampire army remains unaffected and grows stronger over time.

Instant Speed: While Anowon the Ruin Sage operates at sorcery speed, its ability affects the board at the beginning of your upkeep, which can strategically impact your opponents’ plans. By forcing sacrifices before they draw, you limit their options and potentially clear the way for imminent threats at a pivotal moment in the game round.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Anowon the Ruin Sage comes with a demand for strategic deck composition; you are required to manage your vampires in play effectively. If you find yourself without a vampire to sacrifice, Anowon’s ability can become a hefty price to pay, necessitating careful consideration and card selection during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: Anowon’s black-heavy mana cost means its incorporation is predominantly feasible in mono-black or vampire-focused decks. This specific casting cost demands a devotion to black mana, potentially curbing the card’s flexibility in multi-colored deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing five mana to cast, this card comes with a substantial investment. In faster, more agile metagames, the delay in casting Anowon could be a critical factor, as the Mana spent could potentially be used for more immediate threats or defenses.


Reasons to Include Anowon the Ruin Sage in Your Collection

Versatility: Anowon the Ruin Sage serves as a pivotal inclusion for decks that capitalize on Vampire tribal themes. Its ability to consistently weaken opponents’ boards each turn makes it a valuable asset across various formats.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with other Vampire cards, amplifying both attack strategies and defense mechanisms. It also has synergy with cards that benefit from creature sacrifice, thus paving the way for numerous combo possibilities.

Meta-Relevance: In games where creature-based strategies dominate, Anowon’s ability to control the battlefield by forcing sacrifices can be a game-changer. It aligns well with strategies looking to disrupt opponent tempo and maintain board presence.


How to beat Anowon, the Ruin Sage

Anowon, the Ruin Sage can be a daunting card to face, especially when building upon a vampire tribal theme in Magic: The Gathering. Every turn, this formidable legendary vampire forces players to sacrifice non-vampire creatures, which can quickly tip the scales if not addressed. One effective strategy is to hinder Anowon’s ability to remain on the battlefield through removal spells—think instant-speed options such as Path to Exile or Murder, which can eliminate Anowon before his ability triggers at your upkeep.

Additionally, counterspells are your ally against Anowon. Cast spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak to prevent Anowon from entering the battlefield in the first place. Should Anowon establish a presence, having an arsenal of indestructible or regenerate abilities can nullify his forced sacrifice mechanic, preserving your creature base. Beyond individual card counters, increasing the pace of your gameplay with aggressive creatures or strategies that swiftly diminish your opponent’s life total can overwhelm a deck reliant on Anowon before it can establish dominance.

Ultimately, maintaining board control and being proactive with your removal or counterspells ensures that Anowon, the Ruin Sage doesn’t get the upper hand, allowing you to navigate around his oppressive influence and secure victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re intrigued by the strategic depth Anowon the Ruin Sage offers to your MTG gameplay, we’ve got insights to take your deck-building to the next level. Embrace the power of a well-constructed vampire tribal deck and outmaneuver opponents through relentless board control. Whether you’re looking to enhance your existing vampire strategies or dive into a new, exciting archetype, Anowon the Ruin Sage is a compelling choice. Don’t miss the opportunity to dominate the battlefield and make every one of your upkeeps a powerful play. Ready to vamp up your game? Dive deeper with us and discover how Anowon can transform your MTG experiences.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Anowon, the Ruin Sage MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake and Commander 2017, 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 Anowon, the Ruin Sage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Anowon, the Ruin Sage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-02-05 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by Dan Scott.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-02-05WorldwakeWWK 492003NormalBlackDan Scott
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 962015NormalBlackDan Scott
32021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1182015NormalBlackDan Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Anowon, the Ruin Sage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Anowon, the Ruin Sage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2010-03-01 If a player controls no creatures, or if all creatures a player controls are Vampires, that player simply doesn't sacrifice anything.
2010-03-01 When the triggered ability resolves, first you choose which creature you'll sacrifice (if you control any non-Vampire creatures), then each other player in turn order does the same, then all chosen creatures are sacrificed at the same time.