Sunscape Battlemage MTG Card
2001-02-05 - Number 16
2010-03-19 - Number 40
2020-09-26 - Number PLS-16
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- The battlemage offers card draw or creature control, optimizing in-game adaptability.
- Its specificity in mana can limit its inclusion in diverse decks.
- Versatile and meta-relevant, it’s a valuable addition to collections.
Text of card
Kicker o1o G and/or o U When Sunscape Battlemage comes into play, if you paid the o1o G kicker cost, destroy target creature with flying. When Sunscape Battlemage comes into play, if you paid the o U kicker cost, draw two cards.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sunscape Battlemage offers versatility with an optional kicker that, when paid, can either draw you two cards or destroy an enemy creature with flying. This can help tilt the card balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a form of resource acceleration by potentially removing a pesky flying creature. Clearing the skies can pave the way for your other creatures to press an attack or defend more effectively, possibly saving your spells for other threats.
Instant Speed: While Sunscape Battlemage itself isn’t an instant, it interacts favorably with instant-speed spells. Its flexibility to either draw cards or control creatures allows you to adapt your strategy seamlessly during the course of a match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sunscape Battlemage doesn’t necessitate the actual discarding of a card, the kicker condition can be seen as a form of resource sacrifice. For the added effects to take place, investing additional mana is necessary, which might strain your resources especially when you’re strategically planning your mana usage across turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Sunscape Battlemage demands a precise mana cost that includes green and white mana for its base cost, along with additional blue mana to utilize its kicker ability. This can make it challenging to slot into decks that are not geared towards a Bant (green, white, blue) color scheme, potentially limiting its versatility in deck building.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost of three mana coupled with additional mana for its kicker effects, Sunscape Battlemage can be considered mana-intensive. When you factor in the total potential cost of five mana to access both kicker abilities, there are alternative creatures that can provide similar utility or effects with less mana investment or boasting additional beneficial abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sunscape Battlemage offers a flexible role in your deck, suitable for strategies needing creature control or card draw. Its two kicker options provide tailored solutions based on your current matchup.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in decks that benefit from spellcasting triggers or require specific creature types, such as Wizards, to enhance their synergy and power.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to disrupt creature-based strategies or replenish your hand in slower-paced games, Sunscape Battlemage remains a relevant choice in various metas where tempo is crucial.
How to beat
Sunscape Battlemage is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering that comes with a choice of two kicker costs, offering different spells depending on whether you pay the white or the green kicker. This tactical flexibility means players need to adopt smart strategies to counteract its abilities. The card’s white kicker option can neutralize a creature by preventing it from dealing damage, while the green kicker allows for card advantage by drawing two cards.
To effectively counteract Sunscape Battlemage, you need to be proactive in managing your threats and resources. Utilizing spells that can counter when it’s cast, like “Cancel” or “Mana Leak,” can help you negate its spell-like effects before they occur. Alternatively, you can remove it from the battlefield with removal spells like “Murder” or “Path to Exile” once it lands. Remember, instant-speed interaction is key to disrupting your opponent’s strategies. It’s also prudent to apply pressure and force your opponent to use their mana inefficiently, potentially diverting resources away from utilizing Sunscape Battlemage’s kicker options.
By understanding Sunscape Battlemage’s strengths and implementing these tactics, players can prevent it from taking over the game and maintain control over the match.
Cards like Sunscape Battlemage
Sunscape Battlemage is an intriguing choice within the pantheon of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It provides a blend of spell-like effects and creature presence. It bears some resemblance to cards like Sea Gate Oracle, which also offers card filtering upon entering the battlefield. Sea Gate Oracle, however, leans on its ability to dig into the library for card quality rather than immediate board impact.
Another card in this family is Trinket Mage, which boasts the ability to search your library for an artefact with a low mana cost. While Sunscape Battlemage can potentially deal with flying creatures or replenish a player’s hand, Trinket Mage is more focused on tutoring specific artifacts that can be key to a game’s strategy. Cloudkin Seer is yet another utility creature offering card draw, boasting the advantage of flying. The battlemage, however, provides more options at the expense of higher mana cost.
Examining their roles in gameplay, Sunscape Battlemage emerges as a versatile option for players who value flexibility and choice within their deck strategies, especially in formats where card advantage and controlling the board state are crucial.
Cards similar to Sunscape Battlemage by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sunscape Battlemage MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition, 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 Sunscape Battlemage 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 Sunscape Battlemage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2010-03-19. Illustrated by Tony Szczudlo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-02-05 | Planeshift | PLS | 16 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 2 | 2010-03-19 | Duel Decks: Phyrexia vs. the Coalition | DDE | 40 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | PLS-16 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sunscape Battlemage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
