Sanctum Spirit MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 30
2020-08-07 - Number 30
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Lifelink |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Lifelink Discard a historic card: Sanctum Spirit gains indestructible until end of turn. (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.)
"When history becomes too mournful, even good souls may choose to forget." —Shalai, voice of Plenty
Cards like Sanctum Spirit
Sanctum Spirit commands a unique role in the sphere of lifelink creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its capacity to gain indestructible until end of turn by discarding a historic card nudges it into a strategic niche. Looking at cards like Adanto Vanguard, the spirit differs by leaning on a player’s historic arsenal rather than a cost of life to activate its ability to withstand destruction.
Comparable yet diverse, Knight of Grace presents another example. This knight boasts a similar mana cost and holds an edge with first strike. It does not, however, provide the same indestructibility option, favoring hexproof from black and an attack bonus when facing a deck with black cards. Then there’s Dauntless Bodyguard that enters the fray not only as a formidable one-drop but also as a guardian for other creatures, sacrificing itself for another’s survival.
In overview, Sanctum Spirit sits comfortably among its lifelink fellowships, distinguished by its protective historic discard mechanism. While other creatures offer their own merits such as lower costs or offensive capabilities, Sanctum Spirit’s unique trait of self-preservation makes it a worthwhile consideration for decks leveraging historic card synergies.
Cards similar to Sanctum Spirit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: In the intricate dance of drawing and discarding that dictates so much of gameplay success, Sanctum Spirit shines by allowing you to discard a historic card to gain lifelink until the end of turn. This not only recycles cards that have lost relevance but also enables dynamic interactions with graveyard mechanics.
Resource Acceleration: While Sanctum Spirit itself is not a direct tool for resource acceleration, its ability to capitalize on historic cards means it can easily integrate into strategies that focus on quickly deploying artifacts, legendaries, or sagas to the battlefield – thereby indirectly contributing to a faster and more formidable presence.
Instant Speed: The lifelink ability activation at instant speed gives Sanctum Spirit an edge, allowing for last-minute life boosts during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. This flexibility can often lead to favorable trades or an increased lifespan for your strategic plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sanctum Spirit’s ability to gain indestructible hinges on discarding a historic card, which can potentially exhaust valuable hand resources and may not always be available when needed most.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white mana sources for its casting cost, it can prove restrictive in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a casting cost of four mana, including double white, Sanctum Spirit faces competition from other creatures and spells that may offer more immediate board impact or versatility for the investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sanctum Spirit offers a unique balance acting as both an aggressive and defensive asset in decks that emphasize lifelink or discard mechanics. Its ability to gain indestructible helps it serve multiple roles within a game.
Combo Potential: With its discard ability, Sanctum Spirit shines when combined with cards that benefit from cycling or discarding. This enables interesting synergies, contributing to strategies that capitalize on card interactions and graveyard dynamics.
Meta-Relevance: As games become more complex and interactive, having a creature that can protect itself while pitching cards for value is a precious asset. Sanctum Spirit can be an underestimated card that matches well with a variety of decks, adaptable to shifts in the competitive landscape.
How to beat
Sanctum Spirit is a core player in MTG’s myriad of lifelink creatures, known for its unique ability to provide durability through its discard mechanic. Hailing from the Dominaria set, it’s often seen fortifying the battlefield, turning potential destruction into an opportunity for resilience. To effectively counter this spirit, prioritizing removal spells that don’t target or using board wipes can prove pivotal, dodging its discard-triggered indestructibility.
Timing is essential; if facing down this spectral force, aim to disrupt your opponent during their own turn. By forcing them to discard when it’s less advantageous, you limit their ability to capitalize on the card’s strengths. Another angle is graveyard manipulation, stripping away the ammunition Sanctum Spirit relies on to activate its ability, rendering it vulnerable. Consider, for instance, cards like Leyline of the Void that hamstring graveyard strategies and take the steam out of this reviving phantasm.
Delving deeper into the strategy, maintaining pressure and resource denial can stymie your opponent’s ability to muster the cards required to protect their Sanctum Spirit, leading to a more manageable game state. Indeed, when crafting a battle plan, these tactics should be foremost in overcoming the obstacle posed by the resolute Sanctum Spirit.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sanctum Spirit MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Double Masters, 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 Spirit 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 Spirit Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 30 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2020-08-07 | Double Masters | 2XM | 30 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sanctum Spirit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sanctum Spirit card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | A card, spell, or permanent is historic if it has the legendary supertype, the artifact card type, or the Saga subtype. Having two of those qualities doesn't make an object more historic than another or provide an additional bonus—an object either is historic or it isn't. |