Quicksand MTG Card

Quicksand’s instant speed ability offers strategic control and flexibility during combat phases. While its use is powerful, sacrificing Quicksand can set back your mana resource development. Despite not being a combo enabler, Quicksand’s versatile nature makes it a collection staple.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
RarityUncommon
TypeLand

Text of card

oc T: Add one colorless mana to your mana pool. oc T, Sacrifice Quicksand: Target attacking creature without flying gets -1/-2 until end of turn.

Cards like Quicksand

The allure of Quicksand lies in its utility as a land card with an ability to disrupt opponents in Magic: The Gathering. Comparable cards like Desert reflect a similar capacity to control the battlefield, as Desert can also inflict damage to attacking creatures. Quicksand, though, doesn’t require tapping, allowing it to remain available for mana generation or its ability at crucial moments.

Maze of Ith is another card with a related functionality, which excels in neutralizing attackers without dealing damage. The key difference is that Maze of Ith doesn’t produce mana, while Quicksand can still be a land resource. Ghost Quarter and Tectonic Edge also allow for strategic land destruction, but without the situational creature control that Quicksand offers.

Each of these cards has its niche, contributing to control strategies in their unique ways. However, Quicksand stands out among them for its dual role in mitigating threats and preserving mana integrity, offering a subtle yet powerful option for MTG players focusing on defensive tactics.

Desert - MTG Card versions
Maze of Ith - MTG Card versions
Ghost Quarter - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Edge - MTG Card versions
Desert - MTG Card versions
Maze of Ith - MTG Card versions
Ghost Quarter - MTG Card versions
Tectonic Edge - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Quicksand. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Blue PrisonMono-Blue Prison LegacyCharlotte Legacy League Season 2 Week 2

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Quicksand offers strategic flexibility on the battlefield, effectively serving as a deterrent against opponents’ creatures. This can indirectly lead to card advantage, as it can force opponents to play around it or lose crucial attackers in the process.

Resource Acceleration: Though Quicksand does not directly accelerate resources, it is a land card, which inherently contributes to your mana base. It is also capable of fitting into various deck builds without requiring mana of a specific color, giving it a versatile role in resource management.

Instant Speed: Quicksand’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing dynamic interaction opportunities. This allows you to respond to threats or attacks during your opponent’s turn, making it a valuable tool for controlling the pace of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Quicksand demands that you sacrifice it to trigger its ability, which can be a downside as it requires relinquishing a land slot on the battlefield. This action reduces the total number of lands you control, potentially slowing down your mana ramp and hampering your ability to cast more impactful spells later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: While Quicksand doesn’t ask for a specific color to activate its ability, the necessity to tap itself in addition to sacrificing can strain your mana availability. This is particularly true in multicolored decks where every land counts towards meeting complex casting requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Giving up a land for a one-time use effect that targets only creatures without flying can be cost-ineffective. In formats where mana efficiency is key, players might find Quicksand’s activation cost too steep for the benefit it provides, especially when other lands offer repeatable effects or don’t require such a significant sacrifice.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Quicksand provides flexible defense options, seamlessly fitting into land slots of nearly any deck. Its ability to disrupt attackers makes it a practical choice for control and midrange decks.

Combo Potential: Although not a combo piece per se, Quicksand’s utility in preserving board state can be essential in decks that aim to assemble combos by ensuring stability against aggressive opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where aggressive creature strategies are prevalent, Quicksand shines by deterring attacks or eliminating key threats without costing a card slot.

How to beat

Quicksand is a nuanced land card in the Magic: The Gathering universe. It can be a subtle but effective tool for disrupting your opponent’s game plan, especially when they rely on nonflying attackers. To outmaneuver Quicksand, consider pivoting to strategies less impacted by its ability. Focusing on flying creatures can render Quicksand’s ability irrelevant, as it specifically targets grounded assailants during combat.

Alternatively, integrate methods to circumvent land abilities, such as Hexproof or Shroud-enabling spells to shield your ground forces. Tactics like these can make Quicksand’s potential influence negligible. Employing cards that can quickly regenerate or withstand the damage-dealing effects of Quicksand, such as those with indestructible characteristics, are also key in maintaining your offensive momentum in the face of this tricky land.

Finally, remember the value of land destruction or control-changing spells within your deck. They can directly handle Quicksand itself, removing the obstacle from your path. Adjusting your strategy to incorporate these elements ensures that an encounter with Quicksand is nothing more than a minor inconvenience in your quest for victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Quicksand MTG card by a specific set like Visions and World Championship Decks 1998, 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 Quicksand and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Quicksand Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1997-02-03 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-02-03VisionsVIS 1661997NormalBlackRoger Raupp
21998-08-12World Championship Decks 1998WC98 rb1661997NormalGoldRoger Raupp
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 323★2003NormalBlackRoger Raupp
42005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 3232003NormalWhiteRoger Raupp
52007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 3562003NormalBlackRoger Raupp
62010-02-05WorldwakeWWK 1402003NormalBlackMatt Stewart
72014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 2092003NormalBlackMatt Stewart
82018-03-16Masters 25A25 2452015NormalBlackRoger Raupp

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Quicksand has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal