Sprout Swarm MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Buyback,Convoke

Key Takeaways

  1. Buyback ability enables repeated token generation, boosting board presence without diminishing hand resources.
  2. Convoke mechanism allows token-based resource management, enhancing strategic play flexibility.
  3. Instant speed of Sprout Swarm provides surprise tactics and mana management options during opponents’ turns.

Text of card

Convoke (Each creature you tap while playing this spell reduces its total cost by or by one mana of that creature's color.) Buyback (You may pay an additional as you play this spell. If you do, put this card into your hand as it resolves.) Put a 1/1 green Saproling creature token into play.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sprout Swarm with its buyback ability means you can repeatedly create tokens, ensuring a steady increase in your board presence without losing the card from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Not only does it populate the battlefield, but with enough tokens, you can tap them to cover Sprout Swarm’s buyback cost, effectively accelerating your resource management and allowing for more flexibility in your plays.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed grants the versatility to cast it at the end of your opponent’s turn, keeping your mana free for counterspells or other interactions during their turn and surprising them with an expanded army before yours begins.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sprout Swarm itself doesn’t impose a discard requirement, building up the formidable Convoke army it promises typically requires you to tap creatures that might be better used for defense or for other abilities that require tapping.

Specific Mana Cost: Sprout Swarm requires green mana not only for its initial casting but also for the buyback ability. This specificity can restrict its inclusion to primarily green or green-heavy decks, reducing its versatility in multicolored deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: To truly capitalize on Sprout Swarm’s potential—especially its buyback feature—you’ll often find yourself investing five mana for a simple 1/1 creature token. This rate is high compared to other token-generating options or spells with multiple effects that might offer a better return on the mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sprout Swarm offers flexibility in deck building, seamlessly integrating into various archetypes that capitalize on token generation or spells with Convoke. It’s a card that can escalate in value as the game progresses, making it a persistently growing threat.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Sprout Swarm can become the cornerstone of a powerful combo by repeatedly creating tokens that not only defend but also pay for its own Convoke cost, leading to an unstoppable army of Saprolings.

Meta-Relevance: In game environments where long games predominate, Sprout Swarm shines by consistently providing board presence and pressure, outpacing control strategies and overwhelming opponents with a legion of creatures.


How to Overcome Sprout Swarm

Sprout Swarm occupies a unique position within the vast array of cards in Magic: The Gathering. This instant spell is notorious for its potential to overwhelm opponents with an ever-increasing army of Saproling tokens, thanks to its convoke and buyback abilities. Unlike many other token-generating spells that are a one-time deal, Sprout Swarm can recur, steadily thickening the battlefield with creatures as long as you have the mana and creatures to tap. This can create an insurmountable board presence if not addressed promptly.

To effectively counteract Sprout Swarm, a strategic approach is required. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation prove highly effective by resetting the creature count and curbing the growth of your opponent’s token population. Similarly, targeted removal or counterspells can disrupt the initial castings or key conjurations later in the game, hindering the token multiplication process. Another strategy involves suppressing the opponent’s mana base or tapping abilities, thereby cutting off the fuel for Sprout Swarm’s engine. Efficiently managing these resources becomes critical to prevent the swarm from spiraling out of control. Remember, in Magic: The Gathering, tactical suppression and response timing can be the cornerstone of victory against formidable cards like Sprout Swarm.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unlocking the full potential of Sprout Swarm in MTG can significantly enhance your gameplay. With its ability to generate a persistent token presence and accelerate your resources through the Convoke mechanic, this card is a formidable addition to any deck-builder’s arsenal. Whether you’re looking to establish dominance with a growing army of Saprolings or seeking efficient ways to utilize your creatures, Sprout Swarm offers a strategic edge that evolves with the game. Dive deeper into the tactical applications of this instant spell and master its synergies for an upper hand in your matches. Step into the world of token mastery and robust deck construction; let’s embark on this journey together to optimize your MTG strategy.


Cards like Sprout Swarm

Sprout Swarm is another intriguing entry in the repertoire of token-generating spells within Magic: The Gathering. When it comes to creating creature tokens, this card often draws comparisons to cards like Scatter the Seeds, which also generates three creature tokens. Nonetheless, Sprout Swarm provides the flexibility of the convoke mechanic, allowing players to tap creatures rather than pay mana to cast it.

Then there’s the card Ant Queen, offering a similar ability to create insect tokens. While Ant Queen requires a mana investment for each token, it doesn’t have the built-in repeatability that Sprout Swarm harnesses through its buyback cost. This allows Sprout Swarm to repeatedly generate tokens, providing a steady stream of creatures as long as you have the mana and creatures to support it.

Evaluating their performance side by side, Sprout Swarm holds its ground with its unique blend of versatility and sustainable token production. The card’s potential for incremental advantage over time elevates it as a strategic choice in decks that capitalize on creature quantity and synergy.

Scatter the Seeds - MTG Card versions
Ant Queen - MTG Card versions
Scatter the Seeds - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Ant Queen - Magic 2010 Promos (PM10)

Cards similar to Sprout Swarm by color, type and mana cost

Tranquil Domain - MTG Card versions
Resuscitate - MTG Card versions
Heavy Fog - MTG Card versions
Aggressive Urge - MTG Card versions
Tangle - MTG Card versions
Krosan Reclamation - MTG Card versions
Seedtime - MTG Card versions
Nourish - MTG Card versions
Wear Away - MTG Card versions
Might of the Nephilim - MTG Card versions
Resize - MTG Card versions
Squall Line - MTG Card versions
Regenerate - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Defiance - MTG Card versions
Tribute to the Wild - MTG Card versions
Plummet - MTG Card versions
Titanic Growth - MTG Card versions
Sheltering Word - MTG Card versions
Druid's Deliverance - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Domain - Mirage (MIR)
Resuscitate - Exodus (EXO)
Heavy Fog - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Aggressive Urge - Jumpstart (JMP)
Tangle - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Krosan Reclamation - Judgment (JUD)
Seedtime - Judgment (JUD)
Nourish - Darksteel (DST)
Wear Away - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Might of the Nephilim - Dissension (DIS)
Resize - Coldsnap (CSP)
Squall Line - Time Spiral (TSP)
Regenerate - Magic 2010 (M10)
Tel-Jilad Defiance - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Tribute to the Wild - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Plummet - Innistrad: Double Feature (DBL)
Titanic Growth - Wilds of Eldraine (WOE)
Sheltering Word - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Druid's Deliverance - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Naturalize - Core Set 2019 (M19)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sprout Swarm MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and The List, 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 Sprout Swarm and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sprout Swarm Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2007-05-04. Illustrated by Chippy.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-05-04Future SightFUT 1382003normalblackChippy
22020-09-26The ListPLST FUT-1382003normalblackChippy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sprout Swarm has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-03-19 If a creature you control has a mana ability with in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with convoke will result in the creature being tapped before you pay the spell’s costs. You won’t be able to tap it again for convoke. Similarly, if you sacrifice a creature to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with convoke, that creature won’t be on the battlefield when you pay the spell’s costs, so you won’t be able to tap it for convoke.
2021-03-19 When calculating a spell’s total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Convoke applies after the total cost is calculated. Convoke doesn’t change a spell’s mana cost or mana value.
2021-03-19 You can tap any untapped creature you control to convoke a spell, even one you haven’t controlled continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn.

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