Yavimaya Sapherd MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 189
2019-11-07 - Number 1380
2020-09-26 - Number DOM-189
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Fungus |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Yavimaya Sapherd’s creation of a Saproling token increases creature count, valuable for diverse strategies.
- It’s a versatile choice that supports multiple deck styles and synergistic gameplay in MTG.
- This creature card finds its strength in immediate board impact rather than long-term growth.
Text of card
When Yavimaya Sapherd enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 green Saproling creature token.
"When their community grows cluttered, thallids begin a traditional bobbing dance, then trek out in all directions." —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. III*
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Yavimaya Sapherd brings more than just a single body to the battlefield. When you cast this creature, you also create a 1/1 green Saproling creature token. This effectively gives you two creatures for the price of one card, bolstering your field presence and providing an edge in maintaining card advantage against your opponents.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Yavimaya Sapherd on its own does not directly accelerate your resources, the Saproling token it creates can be pivotal in strategies that capitalize on creature count. Combine it with cards that benefit from having many creatures or that sacrifice creatures for additional mana, turning your tokens into valuable assets for ramping up your resources and making powerful plays earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: While Yavimaya Sapherd is not an instant, its relevance at instant speed comes from its synergy with flash enablers. In decks that permit you to cast creature spells as though they had flash, Yavimaya Sapherd can unexpectedly bolster your board, coupling well with strategies that aim to surprise an opponent with sudden blockers or increased creature count during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Yavimaya Sapherd does not directly require you to discard, it’s a card that demands a well-managed hand to maximize its synergy with other cards. If your hand is already depleted, it fails to influence the game significantly on its own.
Specific Mana Cost: Yavimaya Sapherd’s casting cost requires green mana, which restricts it to green-centric or multicolored decks. For players running other mono-colored decks, it’s inaccessible without a diverse mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a common creature card, the mana investment for Yavimaya Sapherd can be considered high. There are lower-cost creatures that can populate the board just as efficiently, leaving room for debate on its cost-effectiveness in a deck that aims for speed and efficiency.
Reasons to Include Yavimaya Sapherd in Your Collection
Versatility: Yavimaya Sapherd provides a solid body as a 2/2 creature and a 1/1 Saproling token upon entering the battlefield. This dual advantage makes it a suitable inclusion in decks that need to establish board presence quickly while also benefiting from having multiple creatures for various synergies.
Combo Potential: The Saproling token synergizes well with cards that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield, or in sacrifice-based strategies. The additional creature can also work well with convoke mechanics, where every creature you control can help cast spells sooner by tapping for mana.
Meta-Relevance: In games where the board can quickly become crowded, Yavimaya Sapherd stands out by offering two creatures for the mana cost of one. This can be especially relevant in limited formats or in metas where go-wide strategies are prevalent.
How to Beat Yavimaya Sapherd
Yavimaya Sapherd is an intriguing creature that invites players to explore synergies within their decks. When this card enters the battlefield, it brings with it a 1/1 green Saproling creature token, essentially providing you with two bodies for the price of one. This characteristic makes it an advantageous play in decks focused on token generation and strategies that benefit from a high creature count.
Confronting this card can be straightforward with the right tactics. As Yavimaya Sapherd itself is not particularly powerful, with only modest stats, any direct removal spell could easily handle it. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push are efficient answers, effectively managing the Sapherd before its token-creating ability impacts the board state significantly.
The true challenge lies in dealing with the accompanying Saproling. Sweeper spells that can clear multiple creatures, such as Pyroclasm or Electrickery, can be an effective counter, making sure to reset the field and mitigate the advantage that Yavimaya Sapherd aimed to create. With a proactive approach to creature management, Yavimaya Sapherd and its Saproling token can be managed with minimal disruption to your game plan.
Cards like Yavimaya Sapherd
Yavimaya Sapherd finds its niche within the universe of creature cards that bring along additional creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to Siege-Gang Commander, which also deploys more bodies onto the battlefield. However, Yavimaya Sapherd has a subtler impact, producing a single 1/1 green Saproling creature token upon entering the battlefield. Far from the three 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens that accompany the Commander, but also at a lower cost and mana requirement.
In comparison, cards like Tendershoot Dryad elevate the Saproling strategy by not just creating a single token but a Saproling each upkeep, representing continuous value as the game progresses. Yavimaya Sapherd settles on a one-time offering but at a more accessible mana value. Another similar card is mycoloth which requires a greater upfront sacrifice but in return can potentially produce an immense number of Saprolings.
Delving into the value Yavimaya Sapherd offers, it stands prominently for players who favor an immediate presence over potential exponential growth. Its ability to flesh out your army at a moderate expense makes it a reliable choice, complementing a strategic approach that hinges on efficiency and synergetic creature summoning.
Cards similar to Yavimaya Sapherd by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Yavimaya Sapherd 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 Yavimaya Sapherd and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Yavimaya Sapherd Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Christine Choi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christine Choi | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1380 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christine Choi | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DOM-189 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christine Choi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Yavimaya Sapherd 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 |
