Conundrum Sphinx MTG Card
2010-07-16 - Number 51
2011-06-17 - Number 42
2018-08-09 - Number 84
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Sphinx |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Conundrum Sphinx attacks, each player names a card. Then each player reveals the top card of his or her library. If the card a player revealed is the card he or she named, that player puts it into his or her hand. If it's not, that player puts it on the bottom of his or her library.
Cards like Conundrum Sphinx
Conundrum Sphinx is an intriguing creature that offers players a form of card advantage in MTG. Like other Sphinx cards, it provides a guessing game that, when won, results in drawing a card. This is somewhat akin to the mechanics of Sphinx of Jwar Isle, which gives you the security of knowing the upcoming card thanks to its ability to look at the top card of your library any time. However, Conundrum Sphinx has the social twist of involving your opponent in the guessing game.
Another card that initiates a similar game of wits is Prognostic Sphinx. Though it doesn’t allow you to draw directly, it does enable scrying for three cards when it attacks, setting up your next draws and thus indirectly controlling your fate. Prognostic Sphinx also provides a defensive edge with hexproof in exchange for discarding a card. Then there is Arbiter of the Ideal, which brings an entirely different approach; it lets you look at the top card of your library and, if it’s an artifact, creature, or land card, lets you put it onto the battlefield with a manifestation counter.
Examining these comparisons, Conundrum Sphinx stands out within the MTG community for its unique guessing game that makes the gameplay experience challenging and fun, proving its worthiness as a card that captivates both strategically and socially.
Cards similar to Conundrum Sphinx by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Conundrum Sphinx enables a unique form of card selection and advantage. When it attacks, you may have the opportunity to name a card. If a player reveals the named card from the top of their deck, it goes into your hand, effectively giving you a free draw while circumventing traditional draw restrictions.
Resource Acceleration: By virtue of ensuring your next draw aligns with your strategic needs, Conundrum Sphinx can indirectly accelerate your resources. Consistently drawing into your key spells or lands can be tantamount to ramping up your board state more efficiently, ensuring you don’t lose momentum.
Instant Speed: While Conundrum Sphinx itself isn’t an instant, its ability to interact with instant-speed spells can’t be understated. You can set up the top of your library with the help of an instant before declaring the name of the card as Conundrum Sphinx attacks, guaranteeing the card you need is drawn into your hand.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Conundrum Sphinx requires a player to correctly name the card on top of their library to draw it. This stipulation can be a gamble, especially without setup, potentially leading to no card draw at all if the guess is incorrect.
Specific Mana Cost: This sphinx demands both blue and white mana, making it a less versatile choice for decks that span multiple colors or lean towards a monochromatic build. This can lead to complex mana bases just to reliably cast it.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two that are color-specific, Conundrum Sphinx can be considered somewhat mana-intensive. In competitive play, where efficiency is key, other creatures or spells could offer similar or better effects with a lower investment or greater flexibility.
Reasons to Include Conundrum Sphinx in Your Collection
Versatility: Conundrum Sphinx fits seamlessly into numerous strategies, primarily those focusing on knowledge manipulation and card advantage. It thrives in decks that capitalize on top-deck control, allowing its controller to consistently guess the card at the top of their library.
Combo Potential: This Sphinx has innate synergy with scry effects and library arrangement tools, which can turn an ordinary guess into a guaranteed draw, thereby fueling your hand and setting up your plays turn after turn, making it a subtle but powerful engine.
Meta-Relevance: As a flying creature, Conundrum Sphinx can easily evade common ground-based blockers in many current metas. Its ability to sift through the deck and ensure land drops or key spells is invaluable in control and midrange matchups, where having the right answers at the right time can be game-deciding.
How to beat
The Conundrum Sphinx is a thought-provoking card that can challenge opponents with its unique ability to let both the player and the opponent name a card and reveal it. If the card you reveal is the one named, you may put it into your hand, essentially drawing you a card every time you attack. This ability can be a powerful advantage, but like all cards in MTG, it’s not invincible.
To counter this aerial enigma, focusing on removal spells that don’t require targeting like board wipes can be particularly effective. Wraths such as “Day of Judgment” or “Damnation” can clear the field, including the Sphinx, regardless of any clever guessing games. Alternatively, employing instant speed removal when the Sphinx attacks leaves your opponent without the chance to benefit from the draw. Cards like “Path to Exile” or “Terminate” can disrupt the synergy and flow of your adversary’s game plan. By reducing their chances to manipulate their top deck and draw extra cards, you tilt the game back in your favor.
It’s essential to prepare for the Sphinx’s presence by including versatile answers in your deck and maintain a control over the board. This way, you’ll minimize the impact of Conundrum Sphinx’s abilities and maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Conundrum Sphinx MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Commander 2011, 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 Conundrum Sphinx and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Conundrum Sphinx Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2018-08-09. Illustrated by Michael Komarck.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 51 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | |
| 2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 42 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck | |
| 3 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 84 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Komarck |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Conundrum 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 Conundrum Sphinx card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-08-15 | First the player whose turn it is names a card, then each other player in turn order does the same. Then each player reveals the top card of their library at the same time. |
| 2010-08-15 | If a card a player reveals this way is the card that particular player named, they must put it into their hand. Otherwise, they must put it on the bottom of their library, even if it’s the card a different player named. In no cases can a player leave the revealed card on top of their library. |