Cloudreader Sphinx MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 47
2019-11-07 - Number 324
2020-07-17 - Number 143
2020-08-07 - Number 45
2020-09-26 - Number DOM-47
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Sphinx |
| Abilities | Flying,Scry |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying When Cloudreader Sphinx enters the battlefield, scry 2. (Look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them on the bottom of your library and the rest on top in any order.)
Cards like Cloudreader Sphinx
Cloudreader Sphinx stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a solid inclusion in blue limited decks that focus on controlling the skies. This card draws a parallel to other five-mana flying creatures such as Air Elemental, known for its classic no-frills 4/4 flying body. Cloudreader Sphinx offers a slightly more interactive experience with scry 2 upon entering the battlefield, giving you the opportunity to set up your next draws with more precision.
Another card worth comparing is Windreader Sphinx, which has a bigger body and a different form of card advantage, granting you card draw whenever a creature with flying attacks. This might be more impactful in a dedicated flying deck. However, with Cloudreader Sphinx, you get to sculpt your draw immediately and need not rely on further combat to reap the benefits.
When looking at these card characteristics, Cloudreader Sphinx appeals to players who value early game board presence and a head start on drawing quality cards. Its ability to fit well into various blue decks and enable strategic planning is a true asset in MTG’s ever-evolving landscape of creatures with flying.
Cards similar to Cloudreader Sphinx by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Cloudreader Sphinx provides a valuable opportunity for players to manipulate their deck’s top cards. Upon entering the battlefield, its scry 2 ability helps filter out unneeded draws, paving the way to secure more advantageous cards in upcoming turns.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, the scry ability indirectly accelerates your game plan by ensuring that you draw into your crucial spells and lands more consistently. This foresight allows for better planning and resource deployment in subsequent rounds.
Instant Speed: Although Cloudreader Sphinx operates at sorcery speed, it influences instant-speed strategies by arranging the top of your library to set up reactive plays. Knowing what’s coming up can be just as critical as having an instant to cast, which in this case, aligns your defenses or counterattacks with precision.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Cloudreader Sphinx doesn’t have a discard requirement as part of casting the card. This can actually be a positive, as it allows you to retain card advantage while developing your board.
Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a specific mana cost that includes both blue and generic mana, Cloudreader Sphinx may not fit easily into multi-colored decks that aren’t focused on blue, limiting its versatility across various deck types within MTG.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Cloudreader Sphinx’s value is debatable when compared to other creatures and options available within MTG at or below this mana point, particularly those that might offer more immediate board impact or lower casting costs.
Reasons to Include Cloudreader Sphinx in Your Collection
Versatility: Cloudreader Sphinx is a flexible card that can adapt to various game strategies, thanks to its flying ability, providing a reliable body in the air for defense or offense. Its scry ability upon entering the battlefield also offers deck manipulation, helping to ensure you draw into your key cards more consistently.
Combo Potential: The ability to scry 2 upon entering the battlefield can be tactically leveraged in combination with cards that care about the order of your library or need to set up for top-deck plays, making it a potential enhancer for decks built around library manipulation and synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence and card quality are consequential, Cloudreader Sphinx can serve as an efficient tool to maintain tempo, providing both an aerial threat and immediate value through its scry effect, which can be particularly effective against slower, controlling strategies where long-term planning wins games.
How to beat
Cloudreader Sphinx presents a tactical challenge on the battlefield with its ability to scry 2 upon entering the battlefield. This blue-aligned creature, with a solid 3/4 flying frame, can be a consistent threat in limited formats, providing both aerial offense and defense. To strategically handle this card, focusing on removal spells that can specifically target flying creatures is key. Cards like Seal Away or Cast Down that can bypass the scry ability and remove it from play are highly effective.
Another approach is creating board states unfavorable for the Sphinx. By developing a wide board presence with multiple threats, the Cloudreader Sphinx’s impact becomes marginalized. This strategy forces the opponent to play defensively, making their scry less impactful as they look for answers rather than optimizing their draws for offensive maneuvering. It’s also possible to outpace the Sphinx through aggression of your own, utilizing red spells like Shock or Lightning Strike to remove it before it can stabilize the game for your opponent.
In essence, overcoming Cloudreader Sphinx demands attention to removal options and board control. Its value is undeniable in providing aerial control and deck manipulation, yet with calculated moves, it’s a threat that can be managed effectively.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cloudreader Sphinx MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Mystery Booster, 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 Cloudreader 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Cloudreader Sphinx Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 324 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 143 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | DOM-47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cloudreader Sphinx has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |