Sanctum Gargoyle MTG Card
2008-10-03 - Number 24
2010-06-18 - Number 5
2013-06-07 - Number 28
2016-11-11 - Number 76
2019-11-07 - Number 216
2020-08-07 - Number 29
2021-04-23 - Number 102
2022-12-02 - Number 236
2020-09-26 - Number C16-76
| Card sets | Released in 9 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Gargoyle |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying When Sanctum Gargoyle comes into play, you may return target artifact card from your graveyard to your hand.
As their supplies of etherium dwindled, mechanists sent gargoyles farther and farther afield in search of salvage.
Cards like Sanctum Gargoyle
Sanctum Gargoyle stands out in the Magic: The Gathering universe as a powerful artifact creature with a distinct ability to retrieve other artifact cards from the graveyard to your hand. When it comes to artifact-centric strategies, there is a wealth of creatures to consider. Among its kin, Myr Retriever also excels in recycling artifacts from the graveyard, though it sacrifices itself to trigger the effect. Sanctum Gargoyle’s advantage lies in its flying ability, giving it an edge in aerial combat.
Junk Diver shares a similar recursion effect to Myr Retriever, activating upon death, and includes flying like the Gargoyle. However, it brings a higher power to the battlefield, making it a somewhat heftier threat to opponents. Workshop Assistant, a more recent addition, offers a similar return mechanic, though it trades the aerial versatility for a lower casting cost. Each of these cards shines in decks dedicated to maximizing artifact synergy, yet Sanctum Gargoyle’s combination of recuperation and evasion allows it to effortlessly blend defensive fortitude with tactical value retrieval.
Evaluating these options, Sanctum Gargoyle holds a firm place in the pantheon of artifact creatures, especially in decks that seek to capitalize on artifacts’ full potential while maintaining a presence in the skies.
Cards similar to Sanctum Gargoyle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sanctum Gargoyle plays a crucial role in card advantage by returning an artifact from your graveyard to your hand when it enters the battlefield. This not only replenishes your resources but can set up powerful recurring plays in decks heavy with artifacts.
Resource Acceleration: While Sanctum Gargoyle itself does not directly accelerate your mana like some other cards, the potential to retrieve mana rocks or other cost-reducing artifacts from the graveyard can indirectly contribute to your resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: Although Sanctum Gargoyle operates at sorcery speed, its retrieval ability complements an artifact-centric deck that can employ instant-speed plays. Bringing back artifacts that can be activated or cast at instant speed enhances the flexibility of your in-game strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sanctum Gargoyle doesn’t necessitate discarding cards, but its Artifact synergy could push players to discard non-synergistic pieces, affecting deck diversity.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a white mana, Sanctum Gargoyle can be restrictive for multicolor decks looking to optimize their mana base for various spellcasting.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana, it may feel steep for a 2/3 flyer. Players often seek more impactful effects or stronger board presence at this stage of the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sanctum Gargoyle’s ability to return an artifact from your graveyard to your hand makes it a solid pick for decks that rely on key artifacts. Whether you’re running an equipment-based strategy or a deck with lots of utility artifacts, this flying creature helps you recycle those crucial pieces.
Combo Potential: Its inbuilt recursion effect when it enters the battlefield unlocks countless combo possibilities. You can repeatedly use and abuse artifacts with enter-the-battlefield effects or loop the Gargoyle itself in and out of the graveyard for consistent value.
Meta-Relevance: Artifact-centric decks remain a staple across various format metas. Sanctum Gargoyle provides a resilient threat that can bolster your board presence while offering ongoing value by retrieving essential artifacts that may have been previously countered or destroyed.
How to Beat Sanctum Gargoyle
Sanctum Gargoyle stands as a recurring asset in artifact-focused decks, known for its ability to chisel an advantage by retrieving used artifacts from the graveyard. Commanding four mana to cast, this flying creature can be a resilient threat, especially when it keeps bringing back key artifacts.
To outmaneuver Sanctum Gargoyle, consider utilizing removal spells that can exile it from the game, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, thus thwarting its recurring value. Moreover, graveyard disruption is another effective strategy. Employing tools like Relic of Progenitus or Bojuka Bog can preemptively remove artifacts from the game, rendering the Gargoyle’s ability obsolete. It’s also worth noting that the Gargoyle’s effectiveness diminishes without a well-stocked graveyard, so applying early pressure and focusing on hand disruption can stifle your opponent’s artifact gathering efforts, causing the Gargoyle to lose its potency.
Overall, by pinpointing Sanctum Gargoyle’s reliance on the graveyard, a tailored approach including removal, graveyard disruption, or hand disruption can ensure this winged guardian remains a manageable component of your opponent’s strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sanctum Gargoyle MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Archenemy, 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 Sanctum Gargoyle 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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Printings
The Sanctum Gargoyle Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Shelly Wan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-10-03 | Shards of Alara | ALA | 24 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | |
| 2 | 2010-06-18 | Archenemy | ARC | 5 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | |
| 3 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 28 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | |
| 4 | 2016-11-11 | Commander 2016 | C16 | 76 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | |
| 5 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 216 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | |
| 6 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | C16-76 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | ||
| 8 | 2021-04-23 | Commander 2021 | C21 | 102 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan | |
| 9 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 236 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Shelly Wan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sanctum Gargoyle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sanctum Gargoyle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | The only difference between a colored artifact and a colorless artifact is, obviously, its color. Unlike most artifacts, a colored artifact requires colored mana to cast. Also unlike most artifacts, a colored artifact has a color in all zones. It will interact with cards that care about color. Other than that, a colored artifact behaves just like any other artifact. It will interact as normal with any card that cares about artifacts, such as Shatter or Arcbound Ravager. |