Saiba Syphoner MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Human Ninja |
| Abilities | Flash |
| Released | 2022-03-17 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Kamigawa |
| Set code | YNEO |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 11 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Bartek Fedyczak |
Text of card
Flash This spell costs less to cast if there are no instant or sorcery cards in your hand. When Saiba Syphoner enters the battlefield, return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand. If Saiba Syphoner would die, shuffle it into your library instead.
Cards like Saiba Syphoner
Saiba Syphoner offers a unique twist to the suite of energy-based creatures in MTG. It draws parallels with Glint-Sleeve Siphoner, another creature that rewards players with energy and the potential for card draw. However, Saiba Syphoner carries the advantage of immediate card draw upon entering the battlefield, providing an instant benefit without waiting for an upkeep trigger.
Another comparative piece is Live Fast, a sorcery that provides an upfront supply of energy and card draw, albeit without the creature presence on the battlefield. This offers a straightforward, albeit less flexible, route to increase both energy reserves and card options. Unlike the repeatable nature of Glint-Sleeve Siphoner, Live Fast’s effects are one-time-only, making the Syphoner a potentially more strategically advantageous choice over time.
When evaluating prospects in the realm of energy accumulation and card advantage, Saiba Syphoner stands out for its ability to impact the game immediately. The varied play scenarios where Saiba Syphoner can be more favorable than its counterparts highlight its potential as a considerable pick for any energy-themed deck in MTG.
Cards similar to Saiba Syphoner by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Saiba Syphoner. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Izzet Combo | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024 | |
 | Izzet Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | |
 | Temur Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024 | |
 | Esper Flash | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024 | |
| Four-color Combo | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024 | |
| Bant Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Bant Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
| Grixis Tempo | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
| Azorius Flash | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 09 2024 | |
 | Four-color Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Saiba Syphoner offers a unique dynamic by providing consistent card draw every time you cast a noncreature spell. This ability can be a key advantage during the game, ensuring your hand stays full and options remain open.
Resource Acceleration: With its energy counter mechanic, Saiba Syphoner aids in ramping up your resources. Each noncreature spell not only draws a card but also adds energy counters which can be utilized to further fuel your game plan or activate abilities that require energy.
Instant Speed: Saiba Syphoner’s abilities synergize well with instant-speed spells. Casting spells at instant speed while Saiba Syphoner is on the battlefield transforms each of your instants into potential card draw engines, thereby maintaining pressure and advantage over your opponent when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Saiba Syphoner can provide valuable energy counters and card advantage, it demands a card to be discarded as part of its ability activation. This can deplete your hand, leaving you at a strategic disadvantage, especially in a game where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Saiba Syphoner’s effectiveness is narrowed by its specific mana cost which requires not just two generic mana, but also one black mana. This imposes a restriction on deck-building, often confining the card to mono-black or two-color decks that can reliably produce black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher side for its utility, Saiba Syphoner may fall behind in the race for efficiency against other cards. Even within its own niche, there are alternative cards that may offer similar benefits without the same mana investment, reducing its appeal in a highly competitive environment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Saiba Syphoner offers flexibility in deck inclusion, being a solid choice for players looking for efficient energy-generating creatures. It can easily integrate with decks that exploit energy counters for various effects, streamlining the deck’s performance.
Combo Potential: This card has great synergy with other energy-utilizing cards. Its ability to generate energy can be the linchpin for setting off combos, especially in decks that capitalize on energy for powerful plays.
Meta-Relevance: In the ever-evolving MTG scene, Saiba Syphoner maintains relevance due to its low casting cost and early game advantage. A creature that offers both a recurring energy source and card draw can hold its own in various meta environments, making it a clever addition to collections geared towards competitive play.
How to beat
Saheeli’s Artistry is a versatile card that can create a game-changing board state in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to copy any artifact or creature, it’s easy to see why it’s a standout in decks that capitalize on clone strategies. That being said, countering this six-mana spell is critical to maintain control during the game.
Effective strategies to beat Saheeli’s Artistry revolve around maintaining a good pace and using counter spells. Dispel is an affordable option that can negate Saheeli’s Artistry as it’s cast, ensuring that your opponent doesn’t gain the upper hand. If the spell has resolved, focusing on removal spells to take care of the copied artifacts or creatures can mitigate its impact. Moreover, cards like Duress can preemptively remove Saheeli’s Artistry from your opponent’s hand, avoiding the threat entirely. Always be mindful of your mana availability to ensure you can respond to this potentially game-altering card.
It’s essential to remember that while Saheeli’s Artistry can create powerful synergies, it is not unbeatable. With the right strategy and a bit of foresight, ensuring Saheeli’s Artistry doesn’t turn the tide against you is entirely possible. Regular assessment of the game state and anticipating your opponent’s moves will go a long way in countering this powerful spell.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Saiba Syphoner MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Kamigawa, 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 Saiba Syphoner 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Saiba Syphoner has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.