Barbed Sextant MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 312
1996-05-02 - Number gb312
1997-03-24 - Number 351
2001-12-01 - Number 34
2006-07-21 - Number 312
2008-09-22 - Number 204
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o1,oc T: Sacrifice Barbed Sextant to add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Play this ability as an interrupt. Draw a card at the beginning of the next turn's upkeep.
Cards like Barbed Sextant
Barbed Sextant stands out in the realm of resource flexibility within MTG. It echoes the functionality of certain mana-fixing artifacts like Prophetic Prism, which also allows players to filter their mana. Barbed Sextant requires a sacrifice as part of the cost, thus providing a one-time use unlike Prophetic Prism’s repeated utility. Additionally, Sextant has the added advantage of drawing a card upon sacrifice, a trait shared by some MTG trinkets, yet not all.
Another parallel is Chromatic Star, which offers both mana conversion and a card draw, though it can be triggered upon entering the graveyard from anywhere. This increases its synergy with various deck strategies, contrasting with Barbed Sextant’s direct route. Terraforming, yet another relative, provides mana filtering but at the expense of landing a land card into play tapped, foregoing the immediate draw.
Assessing the nuances of these cards, Barbed Sextant aligns well within the artifact space for mana filtration and deck thinning. Despite its single-use limit, it offers strategic value in decks looking for color fixing and an incremental edge in card advantage.
Cards similar to Barbed Sextant by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Barbed Sextant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Balancing Tings | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Barbed Sextant offers a unique edge as it allows you to filter through your deck. Upon activation, not only do you get to search for a basic land card, but also you draw a fresh card, possibly getting the resources or answers needed at crucial moments.
Resource Acceleration: This subtle yet effective tool provides a one-time mana boost. After cracking Barbed Sextant, you’ll receive one mana of any color of your choice. This modest form of acceleration can be pivotal for casting multicolored spells sooner than expected.
Instant Speed: Flexibility is key in MTG, and Barbed Sextant can be activated at instant speed. This allows players to respond to an opponent’s moves with precision or end-of-turn plays, ensuring that you’re always making the most of your mana and not missing a beat in your game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Barbed Sextant offers flexibility in mana fixing, it requires a card to be discarded to benefit from the draw a card clause. This additional requirement could pose a drawback when a player’s hand is already running thin, making the trade-off less appealing in situations where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost of the Barbed Sextant is not mana-intensive but does require one mana of any color. However, in some instances, this specific mana requirement can be cumbersome, especially in decks that operate on a tight mana curve or in formats where speed and efficiency are essential.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the cost of investing one mana to play and another to activate, combined with the need to wait for the perfect moment to crack the Sextant, it becomes evident that the card has a comparatively high cost for its effect. Modern decks often favor faster and more direct forms of mana fixing and card draw, which can make the Barbed Sextant fall short when compared to alternative options available in the pool of MTG cards.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Barbed Sextant is a flexible card that can be used in various deck types. Its ability to provide a minor mana-fix and a card draw is useful, especially in formats like Pauper or Commander that may require color smoothing and additional card flow.
Combo Potential: As an artifact, Barbed Sextant can be a cog in machine-like decks that capitalize on artifacts. It works well with mechanics that benefit from artifacts entering the battlefield or being sacrificed, such as with cards like Atog or in synergistic decks that exploit such interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where the game often revolves around resource management and incremental advantages, Barbed Sextant can provide just the right kind of utility. In slower metas or in decks where the ability to draw cards and adjust mana without losing tempo is crucial, this card finds its place.
How to Beat Barbed Sextant
The Barbed Sextant is a unique yet simplistic artifact card that offers players in MTG both mana filtering and card drawing capabilities. When activated, it allows a player to add one mana of any color and then draw a card after the next upkeep. With a cost of just one mana to play and one mana to activate, its efficiency seems undeniable. However, there are strategies to combat this card’s utility.
Directly challenging artifacts like the Barbed Sextant should involve considering artifact removal options in your deck. Cards with straightforward artifacts destruction like Disenchant or more universal removal like Assassin’s Trophy can neutralize the Sextant before it becomes too advantageous. Counterspells can also ensure that it never hits the board in the first place.
Additionally, in a meta where this card sees a lot of play, running strategies that impair the opponent’s draw could offset the advantage they gain. Narset, Parter of Veils is an excellent example, as it limits the number of cards an opponent can draw, thereby reducing the efficacy of the Sextant’s card draw feature. Therefore, while the Barbed Sextant can be a versatile tool, its impact can be mitigated with the right tactics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Barbed Sextant MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Pro Tour Collector Set, 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 Barbed Sextant 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 Barbed Sextant Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Amy Weber.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 312 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | gb312 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Amy Weber | |
| 3 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 351 | 1997 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 4 | 2001-12-01 | Deckmasters | DKM | 34 | 1997 | Normal | White | Amy Weber | |
| 5 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap Theme Decks | CST | 312 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 6 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 204 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Barbed Sextant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |