Sacrifice Play MTG Card
Text of card
A person outside the game chooses an attacking or blocking creature target opponent controls. That player sacrifices that creature.
In recursive chess, one piece can capture another only after beating it in a game of recursive chess.
Cards like Sacrifice Play
Sacrifice Play is an intriguing tactical element for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts honing their control strategies. Its closest kin in terms of gameplay is Bone Splinters, a staple card known for its creature-sacrifice mechanic to destroy an opponent’s creature. While Bone Splinters comes at the low cost of one black mana, Sacrifice Play requires an additional generic mana and retains its niche with the twist of redirecting an attack on the turn it’s played.
Comparatively, Collateral Damage offers a similar sacrifice and damage-dealing effect. However, it deals direct damage to any target rather than being limited to affecting creatures. This provides players with versatility but lacks the combat manipulation that Sacrifice Play introduces. Another functionally related card is Fling, which necessitates sacrificing a creature to deal damage equal to its power, though Fling targets creatures or players, offering a broader range of aggressive options.
While Sacrifice Play may not have the raw power of Fling or the versatility of Collateral Damage, its unique ability to turn the tables during an opponent’s attack phase provides it with a distinctive place in the set of sacrifice-driven spells in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Sacrifice Play by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sacrifice Play shines in providing card advantage, not through conventional drawing but by potentially removing a high-value target of your opponent’s while keeping your own resources intact.
Resource Acceleration: This card can act as a springboard for strategies that thrive on utilizing the graveyard. By sacrificing a cheaper creature, you can simultaneously disrupt your opponent and set the stage for a more robust board presence in later turns.
Instant Speed: The ability to utilize Sacrifice Play at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to threats or actions of your opponent at the most opportune moments, often during their turn, right before they can reap the benefits of their own play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sacrifice Play’s effectiveness hinges on a player’s readiness to let go of valuable cards from their hand. In situations where a player’s hand is brimming with key pieces or solutions, choosing which card to discard can lead to a strategic disadvantage, potentially disrupting carefully laid out plans for future turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating a precise mix of mana to cast, Sacrifice Play may not find a place in decks that can’t reliably produce its required mana types. Players running a multi-colored deck could face a predicament where Sacrifice Play is consistently uncastable due to an incompatible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the cost-to-benefit ratio, this card’s mana investment might not always align with the payoff. Players must ponder if the impact on the board state justifies the card’s mana expenditure or if it’s wiser to allocate resources towards alternatives with a more immediate or powerful effect. In a game where pace can dictate the victor, the relatively steep mana cost of Sacrifice Play can hinder a player’s momentum.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sacrifice Play can be included in a variety of deck types, often adding strategic depth to gameplay. This card thrives in environments where sacrificing creatures is not only a necessity but can also be an advantage.
Combo Potential: This card has the inherent ability to synergize with decks that capitalize on creature death, such as those that trigger effects on sacrifice or when a creature dies. This opens up numerous possibilities for powerful combos and interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies dominate, having Sacrifice Play in your arsenal gives you a way to disrupt your opponents’ plans. This can be especially useful in formats where controlling the board state is crucial to securing victory.
How to beat
Sacrifice Play is a tactical option in the realm of Magic: The Gathering that entices players with its ability to disrupt the opponent’s battlefield by compelling them to sacrifice creatures. This card, reminiscent of other forceful sacrifice spells, can tip the scales in your favor if played at the opportune moment. However, besting Sacrifice Play requires an understanding of the game’s tempo and resource management.
To navigate around Sacrifice Play, savvy players might keep expendable creatures on the board, minimizing the impact of this spell. It’s also beneficial to recognize and predict the strategic timing often employed by opponents who use sacrifice effects. Additionally, understanding when to apply pressure or hold back assets can make all the difference in mitigating the potential damage caused by a well-timed Sacrifice Play. Protection spells or abilities that counteract or bypass sacrificing mechanics are also valuable tools in a player’s arsenal against such strategies.
Ultimately, facing Sacrifice Play demands careful planning and a keen sense of battle pacing. By maintaining a balanced field of disposable and valuable creatures, one can ensure that an opponent’s Sacrifice Play yields minimal advantage, thereby securing your position and prolonging your resilience in the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sacrifice Play MTG card by a specific set like Unstable, 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 Sacrifice Play 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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Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sacrifice Play card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | If there’s no one around to make a decision, you can call or text someone if you need to. If there’s a physical action required, such as high-fiving, you’ll need someone there. |
| 2018-01-19 | It doesn’t have to be someone who plays Magic. This may be fun. |
| 2018-01-19 | You can choose any player not currently in your game. This includes people who used to be in your game but left it. |