Portal of Sanctuary MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set name	Core Set 2020
Set code	M20
Number	71
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Vargas

Key Takeaways

Advance gameplay by reusing creature enter-the-battlefield effects with Portal of Sanctuary.
Provides instant speed interaction, enhancing flexibility and strategic depth.
Mana cost and blue mana specificity may limit deck inclusion versatility.

Text of card

, : Return target creature you control and each Aura attached to it to their owners' hands. Activate this ability only during your turn.

"If you need to disappear for a while, I know a place." —Bilivus, master archivist

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Portal of Sanctuary offers the unique ability to return a creature you control to its owner’s hand at a low cost. This enables you to reuse valuable enter-the-battlefield effects, essentially allowing you to gain additional value from creatures that have already been played.

Resource Acceleration: This card can contribute to resource acceleration by untapping another permanent you control. It gives you the flexibility to reuse a mana dork or untap a land, setting you up for powerful plays by effectively increasing your available mana pool for any given turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Portal of Sanctuary at instant speed makes it a versatile tool in any deck. You can return a threatened creature to safety on your opponent’s turn or simply reuse an effect at the end of their turn to maximize efficiency and surprise opponents with unexpected plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The spell asks you to return a creature you control to its owner’s hand, which could disrupt your board presence and negate any momentum you’ve previously built up. This is especially detrimental in fast-paced games where maintaining board control is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Portal of Sanctuary has a casting requirement that includes blue mana, which can restrict its inclusion to decks that run blue or have the necessary mana fixing to accommodate its cost. This limitation can hinder deck diversity and force players into a narrower strategic pathway.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Portal of Sanctuary’s ability to bounce creatures may not always be the most economical choice compared to other lower-cost alternatives in the MTG universe. This can make it less appealing in formats where mana efficiency and speed are of the essence.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Portal of Sanctuary offers an intriguing dynamic for decks that hinge on enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects. This card allows for the reuse of powerful ETB triggers, providing a flexible tool for crafty deck builders.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, this artifact can create loop combinations, particularly in decks that capitalize on creatures with abilities that activate when they enter or leave the battlefield. This opens up endless strategic possibilities for enterprising players.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where tempo plays and value engines dominate, Portal of Sanctuary can seamlessly slot into strategies aiming to outpace opponents by maximizing the potential of each creature played. Its ability to sidestep removal or reuse beneficial effects makes it a card worth considering for diverse game plans.

How to beat

Portal of Sanctuary is a nuanced utility card that enables players to return a creature they control to their hand and then replay it, potentially reactivating enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects. This card challenges opponents to disrupt this loop to prevent recurring value from powerful ETB triggers.

To effectively neutralize this strategy, focus on instant-speed interaction. Counterspells, such as Negate or Disallow, can prevent Portal of Sanctuary from being activated at a crucial moment. Removal spells, like Abrupt Decay or Assassin’s Trophy, offer a permanent solution by destroying the artifact before it becomes a recurring problem.

Another approach is to utilize hand disruption techniques. Thoughtseize and Inquisition of Kozilek can extract Portal of Sanctuary from an opponent’s hand before they have a chance to use it. Lastly, consider applying pressure with aggressive creatures or strategies that outpace the value generated by Portal of Sanctuary. Efficient clock setters force the Sanctuary player to deal with threatening board states instead of setting up their favorable loops.

Cards like Portal of Sanctuary

Portal of Sanctuary stands out in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a unique mana-filtration and creature-protection artifact. It shares similarity with Crystal Shard which also allows players to return creatures to their hand, though at a slightly higher activation cost but with the flexibility to target opponents’ creatures as well. While both cards can be used strategically to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects or dodge removal, Crystal Shard can be more disruptive to your opponent’s plans.

Erratic Portal is another artifact that performs a similar function. Although it has a lower activation cost than Portal of Sanctuary, the additional requirement of one mana to prevent your opponent’s creatures from being returned gives Portal of Sanctuary an advantageous edge in reactivating your own creature abilities without the same leverage on opponents.

In the ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering, Portal of Sanctuary has its niche, especially in decks where reclaiming and redeploying your creatures for their abilities is key. Its cost-efficiency and focused utility in safeguarding one’s own board present an attractive option for strategists looking to maximize recurring effects while maintaining board presence.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Portal of Sanctuary MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Portal of Sanctuary and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Portal of Sanctuary has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Portal of Sanctuary card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.