Forsaken Sanctuary MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 273
2017-04-28 - Number 281
2017-08-25 - Number 250
2018-01-19 - Number 187
2018-07-13 - Number 250
2018-08-09 - Number 247
2023-03-21 - Number 266
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Forsaken Sanctuary enters the battlefield tapped. : Add or to your mana pool.
"Prayers will curdle on the tongue and be heard by rotting ears." —Minaldra, the Vizag Atum
Cards like Forsaken Sanctuary
Forsaken Sanctuary is an intriguing land card in Magic: The Gathering, adding strategic depth to mana fixing in a player’s deck. Compared to basic lands, Forsaken Sanctuary enters the battlefield tapped which could potentially slow your early game tempo, yet it compensates by offering both black and white mana once on the field. It draws a parallel with cards like Scoured Barrens, which also enters the battlefield tapped but provides an additional benefit of gaining 1 life, a small perk that could make a difference in tight matches.
Meandering River is another similar land card providing access to blue and white mana. Like Forsaken Sanctuary, it also hampers immediate play by entering tapped, confirming the notion that flexibility in mana colors often comes with a cost of speed. Conversely, cards like Caves of Koilos allow immediate access to black or white mana but exact a life point toll for the privilege, showcasing a trade-off between pace and personal resources.
Considering these comparisons, Forsaken Sanctuary carries its weight as a valuable enabler for multicolor decks, especially where the pace of play allows for a turn spent on setting up. Each land within this family has its own nuances to consider, tailoring them to different strategies and deck types in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Forsaken Sanctuary by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Forsaken Sanctuary. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Abzan Midrange | Free form | Set Roulette Spring 2024 | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Set Roulette Spring 2024 | |
 | Orzhov's Forsaken King | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 | |
| BW Midrange | Free form | Set Roulette Feburary 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Forsaken Sanctuary doesn’t directly offer card advantage in the traditional sense, it does provide value in terms of mana fixing. This is particularly important in decks that run two or more colors, ensuring that you have the right color of mana available when you need it.
Resource Acceleration: Forsaken Sanctuary enters the battlefield tapped and can be tapped for either black or white mana, aiding in resource acceleration for multicolor decks, especially those that need to balance their mana base carefully between these two colors.
Instant Speed: Although lands like Forsaken Sanctuary don’t operate at instant speed, having a reliable land in play means you are free to use your mana at instant speed for spells and abilities when it’s untapped, without worrying about the colors of mana you might need later. It enhances your ability to react to an evolving board state, knowing your mana sources are secure.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Forsaken Sanctuary doesn’t have a discard requirement, but its enters-the-battlefield tapped condition can be viewed metaphorically as discarding a turn. This can be particularly disadvantageous when you’re craving an immediate mana response.
Specific Mana Cost: Providing only black or white mana restricts its utility primarily to Orzhov decks or others that can accommodate the specific color pairing, possibly excluding it from a wide array of mono or multi-colored strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Forsaken Sanctuary itself does not have a mana cost, the tempo loss inherent in lands that enter tapped can be seen as a high cost. In fast-paced games, the setback can be akin to a higher mana expense, as it delays your plays by a full turn cycle.
Reasons to Include Forsaken Sanctuary in Your Collection
Versatility: As a dual land card, Forsaken Sanctuary brings flexibility to decks by providing two colors of mana. It’s an essential addition for multicolored decks, particularly in black and white, smoothing out mana bases and ensuring that you can cast your spells on time.
Combo Potential: Forsaken Sanctuary has synergy with landfall mechanics and other abilities that are triggered by lands entering the battlefield. It can be a key piece in strategies revolving around land counts or landfall triggers, which makes it a strategic pick for certain decks.
Meta-Relevance: In a standard or commander meta where color consistency is paramount, having access to dual lands like Forsaken Sanctuary can make your deck more resilient against mana problems. It might not be the fastest land, but its stability can make a substantial difference in long-drawn-out games.
How to beat
Forsaken Sanctuary stands as a staple in decks emphasizing mana stability within Magic: The Gathering. This dual land shines by tapping for both white or black mana, yet comes with the caveat of entering the battlefield tapped. This minor setback offers strategic players an avenue to gain an advantage. One could employ land destruction effects to counteract such nonbasic lands, effectively setting the opponent back by denying them the mana needed for critical plays.
Aggro decks, hastening to apply pressure, can capitalize on this delay in mana availability. By deploying a swift onslaught, these decks can outpace opponents relying on tapped lands. Utilizing cards that untap lands, like Fertile Ground, or employing cards that allow lands to enter the battlefield untapped will negate the downside of cards like Forsaken Sanctuary. As such, swift land development coupled with disruption tactics can efficiently undermine the benefits that come with playing Forsaken Sanctuary.
Acknowledging this, players should carefully time their plays to minimize the impact of having a land enter the battlefield tapped. By doing so, they maintain tempo and prevent their opponents from leveraging the initial slow down to their advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Forsaken Sanctuary MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Amonkhet, 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 Forsaken Sanctuary 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
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Printings
The Forsaken Sanctuary Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 273 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 2 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 281 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 3 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 250 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 4 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 187 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 5 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 250 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 6 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 247 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce | |
| 7 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 266 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Vincent Proce |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Forsaken Sanctuary 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 |