Sand Silos MTG Card
1994-11-01 - Number 101
1997-03-24 - Number 423
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Comes into play tapped. You may choose not to untap Sand Silos during your untap phase and instead put a storage counter on it. oc T: Remove any number of storage counters from Sand Silos. For each storage counter removed, add o U to your mana pool.
Cards like Sand Silos
Exploring the landscape of lands within MTG, Sand Silos presents a unique twist. Functioning like Storage Lands such as Calciform Pools and Dreadship Reef, Sand Silos enters the battlefield tapped and can be tapped in later turns to store resources. However, Sand Silos requires an Island to be in play before it can be put into action, making it situationally beneficial yet constrictive compared to its counterparts.
Another similar card is Bottomless Vault, which operates on a comparable storage mechanic but is designed to generate black mana instead of Sand Silos’ blue mana production. Bottomless Vault shares the play restriction, requiring a Swamp in play to be activated. While each of these lands taps to accumulate storage counters that can later be cashed in for mana, the necessity to align them with their corresponding basic land types can be limiting depending on your deck construction.
In sum, Sand Silos offers a specialized mana storage option, but its requirement for an Island and coming into play tapped could steer players toward more versatile choices. Yet, in the right mono-blue or control deck, Sand Silos might carve its niche as a late-game mana reservoir, thus it’s essential to weigh these tactical considerations in deck synergy.
Cards similar to Sand Silos by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sand Silos can serve as a reliable source for card advantage through its ability to store mana across turns, allowing you to utilize that mana at critical points without having to draw additional lands or mana sources.
Resource Acceleration: As a storage land, Sand Silos can progressively ramp up your mana capacity, setting the stage for game-altering plays by accumulating and unleashing stored resources all at once when you need them most.
Instant Speed: While Sand Silos itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it provides mana which can be used for instant speed spells, thereby increasing your flexibility to respond to opponents’ moves during their turns by harnessing the mana collected in previous rounds.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sand Silos mandates players to set it aside for a turn before it can be used, a form of discard that essentially robs you of a land drop.
Specific Mana Cost: To activate Sand Silos, you need a specific combination of mana, which means it’s not as flexible as other lands that can be incorporated into a multitude of deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While it eventually provides an acceleration in mana, Sand Silos has an initial cost that is steep compared to other mana resources available in the game, potentially slowing your gameplay significantly.
Reasons to Include Sand Silos in Your Collection
Versatility: Sand Silos offers flexible mana storage, which can be leveraged in decks that anticipate building up resources for a significant late-game play. Its ability to bank unused mana from one turn to another gives players a strategic edge.
Combo Potential: In combination-focused decks, Sand Silos works well as a reservoir to launch your most impactful spells. When paired with untap mechanics or cards that remove storage counters, the potential for a game-changing move is substantial.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to stretch into many turns, Sand Silos proves its worth. For any player facing control matchups or those looking to support a strategy that requires a gradual buildup, this land can be a quiet yet pivotal addition to their armory.
How to beat
Sand Silos is a unique land card with an unusual mechanic that taps for mana in MTG. When it enters the battlefield, it comes into play tapped and does not untap during your next untap phase. This can potentially set you back a bit, considering the speed and tempo of the current game environment. To beat Sand Silos, you’ll want to focus on some key strategies.
Firstly, aggressive decks can capitalize on this slow start to apply pressure, as opponents with Sand Silos might be delayed in setting up their defenses. Secondly, land destruction or disruption cards can be particularly effective against Sand Silos. Since it requires time to become useful, removing it before it can produce mana can significantly hinder your opponent’s mana curve and overall game plan. Lastly, consider using cards that allow you to manipulate or untap your lands, providing you with an edge by optimizing your mana resources efficiently while your opponent is still ramping up with Sand Silos.
In essence, while Sand Silos can eventually provide a mana advantage, it can also put players at an initial disadvantage. By employing disruption or maintaining an aggressive pace, you can negate the benefits your opponent might gain from this distinctive land card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sand Silos MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fifth Edition, 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 Sand Silos 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 Sand Silos Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 1997-03-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-11-01 | Fallen Empires | FEM | 101 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Pat Lewis | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 423 | 1997 | Normal | White | David Seeley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sand Silos has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sand Silos card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Counters are not lost if the land is changed to another land type. They wait around for the land to change back. |
| 2004-10-04 | If the land is tapped by some external effect, no counters are removed from it. |
| 2004-10-04 | It is only considered “tapped for mana” if you activate its mana ability and generate mana from it. |
| 2004-10-04 | Whether or not it is tapped is checked at the beginning of upkeep. If it is not tapped, the ability does not trigger. It also checks during resolution and you only get a counter if it is still tapped then. |