Argent Sphinx MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 28
2011-05-14 - Number 13
2015-05-22 - Number 41
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Sphinx |
| Abilities | Flying,Metalcraft |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Metalcraft — : Exile Argent Sphinx. Return it to the battlefield under your control at the beginning of the next end step. Activate this ability only if you control three or more artifacts.
A great mirage, a dream of wings and silver.
Cards like Argent Sphinx
Argent Sphinx is a noteworthy resident of the blue deck in Magic: The Gathering, standing out for its ability to dodge threats temporarily. Comparable to cards like Aetherling, which offers a similar blink capability allowing it to evade spells, Argent Sphinx requires metalcraft to activate its power, limiting its use to decks flush with artifacts. While Aetherling can adjust its toughness and power, Argent Sphinx provides a steady 4/3 flyer in the skies above, a solid figure for blue creature standards.
Another parallel can be drawn with Mistmeadow Witch, which also blinks creatures, albeit at the cost of mana each time. The Witch’s capability to affect other creatures adds a layer of strategic play different from Argent Sphinx’s self-targeting blink. Moreover, Mistmeadow Witch doesn’t require a specific board state like the metalcraft condition posed by Argent Sphinx.
In evaluating the strength of flicker or blink cards in Magic: The Gathering, Argent Sphinx emerges as a valuable card for artifact-heavy decks, shining brightest when the metalcraft requirement can be consistently met and the skies can be dominated by its flying presence.
Cards similar to Argent Sphinx by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Argent Sphinx boasts a unique ability to flicker itself from the battlefield, allowing players to protect it from removal or simply use it to refresh any ‘comes into play’ effects. This capability can help consistent card utility, maintaining an upper hand.
Resource Acceleration: With a 4/3 flying body, Argent Sphinx offers a substantial presence in the air, often demanding an answer from an opponent. When the metalcraft ability is active, which requires three or more artifacts, the Sphinx can become unblockable at will, indirectly speeding up your resource dominance by necessitating fewer resources to protect it.
Instant Speed: The ability to turn Argent Sphinx unblockable at instant speed presents strategic plays. Players can time their moves carefully, choosing to pivot between defense and offense during any phase of an opponent’s turn, which adds a layer of complexity and surprise to the gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Argent Sphinx requires you to discard a card to activate its morph ability. This could be a steep price, especially if you are playing a strategy where your hand must be maintained or resources are already stretched thin. Using up valuable cards from your hand just to enable a morph condition might lead to a disadvantage in card economy over the course of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Argent Sphinx demands a specific arrangement of mana to cast—two generic and two blue mana. This mana requirement confines the Sphinx to blue-centric or compatible two-color decks, reducing its flexibility across a wider variety of deck builds. Players not running blue mana or those with a shortage in their mana base may find it difficult to reliably cast the Sphinx when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost of four mana, Argent Sphinx sits at a higher end of the mana curve for creature spells with its set of abilities. In formats where the pace is incredibly fast, or in environments where board presence is crucial from the early game, dedicating four mana in the mid-game for a creature without an immediate board impact can put you behind other players utilizing more mana-efficient creatures or spells.
Reasons to Include Argent Sphinx in Your Collection
Versatility: Argent Sphinx boasts flexibility across various deck styles, serving as a formidable flyer in blue-based control or midrange decks. Its morph ability adds a layer of unpredictability to your gameplay, allowing you to protect it from targeted removal or set up surprises for your opponent.
Combo Potential: This card is ripe for synergies with artifact-centric strategies. Its ability to flicker in and out of the battlefield can be exploited with cards that recognize creatures entering the play, amplifying the impact of enter-the-battlefield effects throughout the game.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where the meta is teeming with spot removal, Argent Sphinx’s morph cost provides a reliable way to evade such interactions. This capacity to consistently protect itself makes it a resilient threat that can adapt to a shifting competitive landscape.
How to beat
Encountering the Argent Sphinx in Magic: The Gathering can be quite the challenge due to its “Metalcraft” ability, allowing it to become almost untouchable when you have three or more artifacts. To outmaneuver this card, focus on artifact control. Cards like “Kataki, War’s Wage” can pressure your opponent by taxing their artifacts, potentially limiting the number of artifacts they can retain on the battlefield.
Removal spells that don’t target, such as “Day of Judgment” or “Wrath of God,” can clear the board without needing to target Argent Sphinx directly, thus bypassing its protection. Direct artifact removal, such as “Ancient Grudge” or “Shattering Spree,” can also be a strategic approach by reducing the number of artifacts and negating the Sphinx’s Metalcraft ability altogether.
Overall, while Argent Sphinx can be a formidable foe, a well-prepared deck that can manage or eliminate artifacts or employ non-targeted removal spells will stand a good chance against this shimmering adversary. Remember, understanding and anticipating your opponent’s strategy is essential in prevailing over their key pieces like Argent Sphinx.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Argent Sphinx MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia, 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 Argent Sphinx and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Argent Sphinx Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 28 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 2 | 2011-05-14 | Duel Decks: Mirrodin Pure vs. New Phyrexia | TD2 | 13 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 3 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 41 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Argent Sphinx has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Argent Sphinx card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | If you activate Argent Sphinx’s metalcraft ability during a turn’s end step, Argent Sphinx will return to the battlefield at the beginning of the following turn’s end step. |
| 2011-01-01 | If you activate Argent Sphinx’s metalcraft ability, Argent Sphinx will return to the battlefield at the beginning of the next end step no matter how many artifacts you control at that time. |
| 2011-01-01 | If you control an Argent Sphinx owned by another player and activate its ability, Argent Sphinx will return to the battlefield under your control at the beginning of the next end step. You’ll retain control of it indefinitely. |