Sanctuary Smasher MTG Card

Cycling Sanctuary Smasher can draw cards, providing deck filtration and maintaining hand options. Instant-speed cycling allows for surprise plays or a strong blocker when needed. However, its restrictive mana cost and cycling discard can hinder deck fluidity.

Sanctuary Smasher - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Rhino Beast
Abilities	Cycling,First strike
Released	2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set name	Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set code	IKO
Power	6
Toughness	4
Number	135
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mathias Kollros

Text of card

First strike Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.) When you cycle Sanctuary Smasher, put a first strike counter on target creature you control.

Cards like Sanctuary Smasher

Sanctuary Smasher stands as a robust creature in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other large red creatures in terms of its power. Its presence in a deck can be likened to that of Embercleave, mainly due to the double strike ability. However, Sanctuary Smasher differentiates itself with the ability to give another creature double strike when cycled, offering a tactical edge in various combat scenarios.

Delving further into comparable cards, we encounter Quartzwood Crasher, another formidable force in red-green decks that also capitalizes on trample to deal damage. While Quartzwood Crasher can create token creatures upon dealing combat damage to a player, Sanctuary Smasher excels by enabling a surprise modification of another creature’s combat capabilities. Additionally, these comparisons would not be complete without mentioning Akoum Warrior. While not as intrinsically powerful, Akoum Warrior offers flexibility as a modal double-faced card and can be an essential land in a pinch.

Overall, Sanctuary Smasher earns its spot in battlefield-centric decks that benefit from powerful, game-altering creatures. Its unique cycling mechanic allows for strategic versatility, setting it apart from its counterparts in MTG’s vast array of creatures.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sanctuary Smasher offers the potential to draw a card upon cycling, helping you filter through your deck to find the right answers or threats and keep your hand filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: While this card itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its cycling ability enables you to dig deeper into your deck to possibly uncover your mana ramps or other accelerants faster.

Instant Speed: Sanctuary Smasher’s cycling ability can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility. You can decide during an opponent’s turn whether to cycle for a new card or keep it at the ready for a surprise blocker with its flash ability.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sanctuary Smasher imposes a discard requirement upon cycling, potentially depleting your hand and leaving you at a disadvantage in longer matches.

Specific Mana Cost: The cost of this formidable card is specific to Red and White mana, which can be restrictive and not easily splashed into decks without a dedicated mana base supporting these colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a total cost of six mana for its full effect, Sanctuary Smasher can feel inefficient when there are lower-cost creatures that can provide similar or better board presence earlier in the game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sanctuary Smasher offers a flexible place in various deck builds thanks to its capacity to be cycled for card draw or played as a formidable creature. Its dual functionality means it can adapt to the ever-changing landscape of each game.

Combo Potential: Sanctuary Smasher’s cycling ability not only helps to filter through your deck but can also synergize with effects that trigger upon drawing cards or whenever a noncreature spell is cycled, thus weaving into combo-centric playstyles seamlessly.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where large creatures can dominate, having an option like Sanctuary Smasher that can be both proactive and reactive makes it a noteworthy choice. It’s especially handy in metas where its six-mana hard cast cost is achievable and can impact the board significantly upon arrival.

How to beat

Sanctuary Smasher brings a hard-hitting presence to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its potent cycling ability, it grants players an opportunity to supersize another creature before it even enters the fray. This red card emphasizes brute strength, but like all formidable MTG cards, there are strategies to outmaneuver it.

Key tactics revolve around timing and card selection. Removal spells are your best friends here, as they can take down the buffed creature or the Sanctuary Smasher itself if it hits the field. Consider instant-speed removal like “Heartless Act” or “Doom Blade” to react swiftly. Additionally, countermagic is highly efficient, with options such as “Counterspell” or “Essence Scatter” to disrupt your opponent’s plans before they come to full fruition.

Lastly, board wipes like “Shatter the Sky” or “Wrath of God” can reset the playing field, negating the advantage gained through the Sanctuary Smasher’s cycling ability. Adaptability and the right removal tools are central to overcoming the raw power that this card presents. Compare various strategies and maintain flexibility in your gameplay to ensure victory against Sanctuary Smasher.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sanctuary Smasher MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Sanctuary Smasher and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sanctuary Smasher has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal