Sandbar Crocodile MTG Card

Mirage (MIR)
1996-10-08 - Number 88

Sandbar Crocodile - Media Inserts (PMEI)

Media Inserts (PMEI)
1995-01-02 - Number 22

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Crocodile
Abilities	Phasing
Power	6
Toughness	5

Key Takeaways

Indirect card advantage through Sandbar Crocodile’s size may force opponents to expend multiple resources against it.
Despite a high mana cost and specific color requirement, it offers a commanding board presence.
While not a standout combo card, its resilience against common removal spells can bolster a controlling deck.

Text of card

Phasing

"We've run aground sandbars before, but today, a sandbar ran aground us." —Kipkemboi, Kukemssa pirate

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Sandbar Crocodile itself doesn’t inherently provide card advantage, its sheer size can lead to advantageous board states. It often requires multiple cards from your opponent to handle, effectively granting you an indirect card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This massive beast doesn’t accelerate resources directly. However, in formats where large creatures can be a vessel for cards like Rancor or Equipment, it can become a formidable presence that accelerates your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Sandbar Crocodile isn’t an instant, but its presence in the deck means your instant-speed interaction gains value as your opponents may have to hold resources back, allowing you to leverage the time gained into more advantageous positions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Having to discard a card to summon Sandbar Crocodile can deplete your hand, making it riskier when your card resources are already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Sandbar Crocodile requires a blue mana commitment, which may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks or those that don’t heavily focus on blue mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a five mana summoning cost, Sandbar Crocodile may not be as efficient as other creatures in the same cost range, potentially slowing down your deck’s overall tempo.

Reasons to Include Sandbar Crocodile in Your Collection

Versatility: While some may overlook Sandbar Crocodile for its initial simplicity, it offers a dependable body in decks that capitalize on creature size. Suited for bulk strategies, it can be an inexpensive addition to your battle line.

Combo Potential: Though not the most combo-oriented card, Sandbar Crocodile can still be an asset in decks that synergize with high toughness creatures or those that use creatures as resources for various effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where the meta is ever-shifting, Sandbar Crocodile remains a resilient piece that can stay on the board against common removal spells, potentially giving you a persistent presence in slower, more controlling games.

How to beat Sandbar Crocodile

The Sandbar Crocodile may not stand out as one of the most formidable creatures in Magic: The Gathering, but it does have the potential to become a substantial blocker with its 6/5 stats. This high toughness and power paired with shroud, meaning it can’t be the target of spells or abilities, make it a card that can stall an opponent’s ground offensive effectively.

To counter this card, one must rely on global effects that don’t target individual creatures. Cards that change the rules of engagement like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can bypass Sandbar Crocodile’s shroud by not targeting it directly. Introducing effects that affect all creatures or utilize conditions that Sandbar Crocodile can’t resist, like setting a limit on the creature’s power with a card like Meekstone or using mass exile effects like Final Judgment, prove to be effective strategies.

Overall, while the Sandbar Crocodile has the potential to be a sturdy roadblock, its strength lies primarily in its singular defensive capability. Exploiting its vulnerability to non-targeted rules and board changes is the key to overcoming its presence on the battlefield. These approaches allow players to level the playing field and reclaim control against this scaly behemoth.

Cards like Sandbar Crocodile

In the diverse landscape of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Sandbar Crocodile stands out due to its sheer size. When examining creatures with similar mana costs, Phantom Monster is a card that often comes to mind. Both require a four-mana investment, but Phantom Monster is slightly less bulky with a 3/3 stat line compared to the crocodile’s 6/5. What gives Phantom Monster an edge is its evasion ability, flying, making it harder to block and potentially more valuable in certain decks.

Looking at Kraken Hatchling, we find an alternative creature card that trades offensive power for defensive stability. While the hatchling sports a minimal 0/4 stat line for just one blue mana, it offers early board presence, something Sandbar Crocodile can’t match due to its higher mana cost. Meanwhile, comparing it to Colossal Dreadmaw reveals a shared six-power figure, yet Dreadmaw brings the formidable trample ability to the table, making it a more threatening presence against a defending player.

To sum up, while each of these creatures carries distinct characteristics and fits into different strategies, Sandbar Crocodile provides a substantial body on the field that can be a cornerstone for players seeking to dominate with high-powered creatures.

Cards similar to Sandbar Crocodile by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sandbar Crocodile MTG card by a specific set like Media Inserts and Mirage, 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 Sandbar Crocodile and other MTG cards: