Barrel Down Sokenzan MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant — Arcane |
| Abilities | Sweep |
| Released | 2005-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Saviors of Kamigawa |
| Set code | SOK |
| Number | 94 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Greg Staples |
Text of card
Sweep Return any number of Mountains you control to their owner's hand. Barrel Down Sokenzan deals damage to target creature equal to twice the number of Mountains returned this way.
Cards like Barrel Down Sokenzan
Barrel Down Sokenzan introduces a clever twist to red’s repertoire of spells in Magic: The Gathering by allowing players to sweep away multiple blockers with its sweep mechanic. It shares common ground with other removal spells like Volcanic Fallout, which also deals damage to each creature. However, Barrel Down Sokenzan’s unique sweep ability ensures that lands can be put to further use even after being tapped, potentially turning a moderate land base into a devastating spell.
Comparatively, Pyroclasm offers a low-cost alternative for board-clearing effects, dealing 2 damage to each creature for a smaller investment of only two mana. While it lacks the scalability of Barrel Down Sokenzan, it provides immediate impact at a lower mana curve. On the other hand, Slagstorm delivers a flexible solution, giving players the choice to deal damage to each creature or each player. While this provides broader strategic options, it doesn’t offer the same potential for late-game power that lands provide to Barrel Down Sokenzan.
Ultimately, Barrel Down Sokenzan stands out for its unique leveraging of lands to power up its effect. It occupies a useful niche for players looking to convert an expansive land presence into powerful, game-swinging plays.
Cards similar to Barrel Down Sokenzan by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Barrel Down Sokenzan grants players the potential to clear multiple creatures off the board, effectively acting as a card advantage engine when conditions favor a sweeping effect.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, the card’s synergy with land-heavy decks enhances your ability to deploy high-impact spells sooner, significantly advancing your board position.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Barrel Down Sokenzan at instant speed offers strategic flexibility, allowing you to wait for the optimal moment to disrupt your opponent’s plays or to swing a tight battle in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Barrel Down Sokenzan necessitates that you discard another card from your hand to play it. This cost can set you back, especially if you’re running out of cards and need each one to count towards your game strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a mana cost that includes two red symbols, which might not easily fit into multicolored decks. Players who do not have a strong mana base focused on red may find it challenging to cast this spell when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Barrel Down Sokenzan’s mana value sits at three, which is considered high for its targeted effect. In many instances, players could opt for spells that provide similar or better effects without the additional burden of discarding a card.
Reasons to Include Barrel Down Sokenzan in Your Collection
Versatility: Barrel Down Sokenzan can be a dynamic inclusion in decks that are centered around land interactions or self-mill. Its ability to turn surplus lands into a potential game-changer gives players flexibility in how to manage their resources.
Combo Potential: Utilizing Barrel Down Sokenzan with cards that put lands back into your hand or onto the battlefield can create powerful recurring value. It’s particularly potent in strategies that look to exploit landfall triggers or spells that retrieve lands from the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: In a format where board presence is key, the ability to clear multiple blockers at once can significantly disrupt opponent strategies. With the right setup, Barrel Down Sokenzan can act as both a removal and a finisher in land-centric decks.
How to beat Barrel Down Sokenzan
Barrel Down Sokenzan proves to be a shrewd pick for a sweeper in decks that utilize mountains in Magic: The Gathering. Its main attraction lies in the unique mechanic allowing players to gain value by returning lands they control to their hand, rather than just paying the mana cost outright. This maneuver not only clears the board but sets the stage for potential landfall triggers or replaying lands for additional benefits.
To effectively counter this strategic play, consider utilizing instant-speed land destruction or land bounce effects to disrupt the necessary mountain count before the spell resolves. Similarly, cards that grant your creatures indestructibility or regenerate can act as a fail-safe against this removal spell. Additionally, employing graveyard recursion tactics can mitigate the loss of creatures by bringing them back to the battlefield post-sweep. Keeping a diverse array of threats on the board rather than focusing solely on creature presence can also lessen the impact of Barrel Down Sokenzan’s symmetrical destruction.
Understanding the tempo and resource exchange offered by Barrel Down Sokenzan allows you to better prepare your deck against it, maintaining advantage even in the wake of a powerful land-oriented sweep.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Barrel Down Sokenzan MTG card by a specific set like Saviors of Kamigawa, 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 Barrel Down Sokenzan and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Barrel Down Sokenzan has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Barrel Down Sokenzan card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-06-01 | The lands are returned on resolution; this is not a cost of casting the spell. |