Sphere of Annihilation MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates card advantage by initiating battlefield clears, forcing opponents to lose valuable resources.
  2. Strategic delayed activation allows for calculated plays and potential acceleration of your own resources.
  3. Demands skillful play to mitigate its inherent delayed effect and mana-specific limitations.

Text of card

Sphere of Annihilation enters the battlefield with X void counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, exile Sphere of Annihilation, all creatures and planeswalkers with mana value less than or equal to the number of void counters on it, and all creature and planeswalker cards in graveyards with mana value less than or equal to the number of void counters on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sphere of Annihilation is an ace in your sleeve when it comes to gaining a strategic upper hand. This card creates a battlefield void that forces your opponents to lose resources, potentially giving you a decisive card advantage on your next turn.

Resource Acceleration: The delayed detonation of Sphere of Annihilation means a wise player can orchestrate their moves to ensure minimal losses. By controlling your plays, you can potentially accelerate your resources while causing your opponents to retreat or make hasty, uncalculated moves.

Instant Speed: Even though this isn’t operating at instant speed, its impact on the game is immense. The fear factor generated by the next turn removal is likely to make your opponent’s play cautiously or misplay, giving you indirect control over the field.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sphere of Annihilation does not require you to discard a card but it needs a time delay before you can utilize its full potential. This delay may allow the opponents to prepare or counter, seriously obstructing your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Sphere of Annihilation carries with it a black mana requirement. This mono-color limitation can potentially hinder its integration into multi-colored decks or restrict its usability only to decks heavy in black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sphere of Annihilation’s cost is not only tied to its initial casting but also to its built-in delay, though variable, usually requires a substantial investment. It requires a turn-based waiting period where the invested cost is stored, probably depriving you of quicker, possibly more effective plays in the same timeframe.


Reasons to Include Sphere of Annihilation in Your Collection

Versatility: Sphere of Annihilation is a potent card in the MTG game. Its unique ability to destroy all creatures and planeswalkers equal to its void counters makes it a perfect fit for a wide array of decks, particularly those which employ a strategy of controlling the battlefield and manipulating opponent’s board presence.

Combo Potential: Sphere of Annihilation opens doors for a myriad of strategic combos. Primarily, it works wonders in infrastructures where the usage of counters is the game plan or in decks that emphasize on creature removal. You can set the stage for an unassailable offensive by razing your opponent’s defense with the Sphere’s ability.

Meta-Relevance: Given the high frequency of creature and planeswalker-heavy decks in current meta-game, having Sphere of Annihilation in your deck ensures you’re never out of your depth. Its devastating board-wipe ability helps to level the field against decks that amass creatures or employ high-cost planeswalkers.


How to Beat

Sphere of Annihilation is a potent Black mana artifact in Magic: The Gathering. The card offers a unique way to clear out creatures on the field by casting it with a variable X cost, and then it destroys all creatures and planeswalkers with a mana cost less than or equal to the X value when it leaves the field.

Coping with Sphere of Annihilation requires careful consideration. One effective way is to respond before your opponent’s next turn by using enchantment removal cards. This means, cards like Disenchant or Naturalize, which are capable of destroying target artifact or enchantment can effectively neutralize the sphere, protecting your creatures and planeswalkers.

Another way to counter is by using countering spells like Negate or Counterspell, which can prevent the sphere from even entering the battlefield. You can also strategically play with creatures and planeswalkers having costs higher than the X value to keep them safe. Always consider the mana pool of your adversary when deciding which entities to place on the battleground.

Ultimately, understanding the dynamics of Sphere of Annihilation and how to efficiently tackle it enhances your gameplay and strategy in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Sphere of Annihilation is an intriguing card, offering unique advantages in MTG. Recognizing its strengths and constraints can markedly improve your deck’s performance and your strategic gameplay. If you’re aiming to establish a commanding presence on the battlefield and you relish the tactical depth of setting up for a delayed but devastating payoff, then incorporating Sphere of Annihilation into your arsenal is a smart move. For those looking to remain resilient against it, understanding the card’s mechanics can significantly enhance your defensive strategies. Ready to embrace the void or shield against it? Dive deeper with us and refine your MTG strategies.


Cards like Sphere of Annihilation

Sphere of Annihilation is a significant addition to the lineup of board wipe spells in MTG. The card’s effect shares common traits with Oblivion Stone, which is also a powerful relic capable of removing every card from the battlefield. However, the Sphere of Annihilation comes with an interesting delay, as its annihilation is performed at the beginning of your next upkeep, a strategy that’s missing from Oblivion Stone.

On another note, there’s the multi-faceted Ugin, the Spirit Dragon. It possesses an ability similar to the Sphere of Annihilation, but with an added splash of selective removal based on color, a quality that our theme card does not employ. Additionally, Ugin offers other fantastic techniques like creating spirit tokens and potential ultimate destruction if unchecked, aspects that Sphere of Annihilation does not carry.

In a nutshell, while examining comparable cards abilities, Sphere of Annihilation poses a steadfast position among other board wipe spells in MTG. The feature of delay makes it unique, adding an additional strategic twist to the game.

Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sphere of Annihilation by color, type and mana cost

Vorpal Sword - MTG Card versions
Egon, God of Death // Throne of Death - MTG Card versions
Necrogen Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
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Vat of Rebirth - MTG Card versions
Dross Skullbomb - MTG Card versions
Bloodthorn Flail - MTG Card versions
Lead Pipe - MTG Card versions
Vorpal Sword - MTG Card versions
Egon, God of Death // Throne of Death - MTG Card versions
Necrogen Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Executioner's Capsule - MTG Card versions
Vector Asp - MTG Card versions
Nihil Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Hex Parasite - MTG Card versions
Augmenting Automaton - MTG Card versions
Corrupted Key - MTG Card versions
Witch's Cauldron - MTG Card versions
Mind Carver - MTG Card versions
Bag of Devouring - MTG Card versions
Reaper's Talisman - MTG Card versions
Blood Fountain - MTG Card versions
Clay Revenant - MTG Card versions
Vat of Rebirth - MTG Card versions
Dross Skullbomb - MTG Card versions
Bloodthorn Flail - MTG Card versions
Lead Pipe - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sphere of Annihilation MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos, 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 Sphere of Annihilation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sphere of Annihilation Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Jason Felix.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 927162015NormalBlackJason Felix
22021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 121a2015NormalBlackJason Felix
32021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3762015NormalBlackJason Felix
42021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1212015NormalBlackJason Felix
52021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 121p2015NormalBlackJason Felix
62021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 121s2015NormalBlackJason Felix

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sphere of Annihilation has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-07-23 If a permanent on the battlefield or a card in a graveyard has in its mana cost, X is 0 when determining that card's mana value.

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