Awaken the Sleeper MTG Card


Provides selective creature play directly from the library, boosting card advantage and game pressure. It can dramatically shift game momentum with instant-speed summons ahead of the opponent’s expectations. Maintains its effectiveness with strategic play despite the constraints of specific mana costs and discard requirements.
Awaken the Sleeper - Phyrexia: All Will Be One
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery
Released2023-02-03
Set symbol
Set namePhyrexia: All Will Be One
Set codeONE
Number119
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMathias Kollros

Text of card

Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. If it's equipped, you may destroy all Equipment attached to that creature.

"Without faith in each other, we truly would have nothing left. Isn't that right, Malach? ...Malach?" —Darven, Mirran rebel, last words


Cards like Awaken the Sleeper

Awaken the Sleeper is a potent force in Magic: The Gathering’s arsenal of creature-based cards. When comparing it to its kin in the MTG universe, Serra Angel stands out. Both cards have flying and vigilance, enabling them to attack without tapping. However, Awaken the Sleeper offers a unique twist with its variable power, contingent on graveyards’ contents, providing potential for an explosive impact on the board.

Another relative of Awaken the Sleeper is the Tarmogoyf, famous for its power that scales with the variety of card types in graveyards. Although Tarmogoyf isn’t equipped with flying, it often becomes a formidable creature for a relatively low cost. Meanwhile, Bonehoard, a Living Weapon that also grows stronger with graveyard size, brings a similar strategic flavor to games but requires an artifact-based approach rather than creature-focused strategies unleashed by Awaken the Sleeper.

While each card exhibits its own merit and playstyle, Awaken the Sleeper shines among them as a flexible option for those adept at manipulating graveyard content. It’s a card that can single-handedly sway the tide of battle, elevating it as a formidable challenger in MTG’s complex ecosystem of creature dynamics.

Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Tarmogoyf - MTG Card versions
Bonehoard - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Tarmogoyf - MTG Card versions
Bonehoard - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Awaken the Sleeper by color, type and mana cost

Flashfires - MTG Card versions
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Anarchy - MTG Card versions
Phoenix Heart - MTG Card versions
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Demolish - MTG Card versions
Granulate - MTG Card versions
Touch and Go - MTG Card versions
Sunder from Within - MTG Card versions
Flashfires - MTG Card versions
Shatterstorm - MTG Card versions
Anarchy - MTG Card versions
Phoenix Heart - MTG Card versions
Reign of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Deadshot - MTG Card versions
Aftershock - MTG Card versions
Ruination - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Flood - MTG Card versions
Relentless Assault - MTG Card versions
Flameshot - MTG Card versions
Bend or Break - MTG Card versions
Scorching Missile - MTG Card versions
Reckless Crew - MTG Card versions
Draconic Intervention - MTG Card versions
Illuminate History - MTG Card versions
Demolish - MTG Card versions
Granulate - MTG Card versions
Touch and Go - MTG Card versions
Sunder from Within - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Awaken the Sleeper. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
BRBR StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Awaken the Sleeper provides a significant edge by bringing creatures into play directly from your library. This bypasses your hand, helping to maintain pressure on your opponent without depleting your resources.

Resource Acceleration: This spell can be a game-changer by potentially putting multiple creatures onto the battlefield. This rapid increase in board presence can accelerate your game plan ahead of your opponent’s curve, setting the stage for a significant advantage.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Awaken the Sleeper at instant speed cannot be overstated. This allows strategic players to wait until just the right moment before the end of an opponent’s turn to transform the game state, catching your opponent unprepared and leveraging surprise to your advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Activating the full potential of Awaken the Sleeper requires players to discard a card which can deplete your hand, especially detrimental in the late game when resources are crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Awaken the Sleeper, you must meet its specific mana demands, making it less flexible and more challenging to fit into a wider range of decks that may not support such costs efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a substantial investment of mana to unleash, Awaken the Sleeper’s cost may outweigh its benefits when compared to other cards that can provide similar or better effects with a lesser mana expenditure.


Reasons to Include Awaken the Sleeper in Your Collection

Versatility: Awaken the Sleeper is a unique inclusion for a variety of deck builds, as it can advance different strategies, whether you’re aiming for creature heavy tactics or simply want to surprise opponents with an unexpected threat from your graveyard.

Combo Potential: This card has excellent synergies, particularly in graveyard-centric decks. Its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard can work seamlessly with mechanics that benefit from such effects, or to reanimate powerful creatures that can turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where resilience against removal spells is key, Awaken the Sleeper provides a way to recover lost resources and maintain pressure on your opponents. Its relevance in the meta can be significant, especially in formats where the graveyard is an extension of your hand.


How to beat

Awaken the Sleeper is a formidable card that can significantly alter the balance of a Magic: The Gathering match. With its ability to summon a potent creature from your library, it’s crucial to have a game plan in place to counteract its impact. One effective strategy is to utilize instant-speed removal spells that can disrupt the Sleeper before it has an opportunity to exercise its full potential on the battlefield. Cards like the widely used Path to Exile or the versatile Assassin’s Trophy can be game-changers in these situations.

Additionally, counter-magic plays a vital role in preventing Awaken the Sleeper from hitting the field in the first place. Counterspells like Mana Leak or Negate are crucial in a player’s arsenal, providing a shield against this powerful game-altering card. Being proactive is key, keeping mana open for responses, and carefully monitoring your opponent’s moves to anticipate the ideal moment to strike. Board wipes are also an avenue, as they can clear away the threat post-resolution. Understanding and capitalizing on these strategies can make all the difference when faced with an opponent who holds Awaken the Sleeper in their deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Awaken the Sleeper MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Awaken the Sleeper and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Awaken the Sleeper has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal