Sand Warrior MTG Card
2022-09-09 - Number 20
2024-04-19 - Number 23
2024-06-14 - Number 23
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Creature — Sand Warrior |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Sand Warrior
Sand Warrior positions itself distinctively within the creature cards section in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to cards like Sandsteppe Outcast, which also has the capability to create token creatures. However, Sand Warrior arrives as an already potent token, commonly produced by Hazezon Tamar, without the need for an additional mana cost once the initial investment has been paid.
Analogous in spirit is the card Risen Reef, which, while not producing tokens, does offer a value-added effect of potentially drawing a card or putting a land onto the battlefield whenever another Element creature enters the battlefield. This includes tokens, making it a similar engine for value but in a different domain. Then there’s Siege-Gang Commander, a creature that produces token creatures immediately upon entering and has the added functionality of being able to sacrifice these tokens for damage, providing both a board presence and a potential finisher—an aspect not seen in Sand Warrior tokens.
In the grand tapestry of creature cards, Sand Warrior’s unique fusion of being a formidable token generator when paired with specific cards finds its niche. It may not have the immediate impact of Siege-Gang Commander or the utility of Risen Reef, but in the right deck, it can be a game-changer.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sand warriors are typically generated in multiples or alongside impactful abilities, bolstering your board presence and keeping your hand equipped with strategic options to maintain an upper edge over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: These creatures often synergize with land-related mechanics, such as landfall or ramp strategies. This interaction can lead to rapid mana development, enabling you to play high-cost cards or activate powerful abilities earlier than usual.
Instant Speed: Some sand warrior cards or the abilities that create them can be activated at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to expand your forces, catching them unprepared and disrupting their plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Sand Warriors, one notable challenge is the discard requirement, which can deplete your hand and leave you vulnerable to your opponent’s strategies. Managing your resources effectively becomes crucial, as discarding a card can sometimes mean losing a key element that could turn the tide of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Sand Warriors often come with a specific mana cost that necessitates the inclusion of certain land types in your deck. This can make deck building restrictive, as you may need to skew your mana base towards specific colors, decreasing your deck’s flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations on the battlefield.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to summon Sand Warriors can be relatively high when considering their impact on the game. There are multiple creatures or spells available that could be more cost-effective or provide a stronger presence for the same or lower mana investment, making Sand Warriors a less optimal choice in certain deck archetypes or strategies.
Reasons to Include Sand Warrior in Your Collection
Versatility: Sand Warrior can seamlessly integrate into various deck builds, especially those revolving around token strategies or decks that capitalize on creature synergies.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Sand Warriors can be a key component in generating an overwhelming board presence, combining well with effects that capitalize on the number of creatures you control.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that favors aggressive tactics, the quick generation of multiple bodies that Sand Warrior provides can give players a significant edge on the battlefield.
How to beat
The Sand Warrior card represents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to rapidly populate the field with tokens. Overcoming this card hinges on recognizing the importance of board control and the effective use of removal spells. Wipe away the advantage of these tokens through strategic board clear spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which serve as a clean solution to reset the board and remove all creatures, including Sand Warriors, in one fell swoop.
To specifically target the tokens generated by Sand Warrior, Red’s direct damage spells like Lightning Bolt can be pivotal, as they can quickly eliminate individual tokens before they overwhelm you. Alternatively, managing the enchantments or abilities that produce Sand Warrior tokens is also a valid strategy. Counterspells like Cancel or Disallow can prevent these generators from hitting the field in the first place, significantly reducing the number of Sand Warrior tokens to contend with.
In essence, when encountering Sand Warrior cards, focus on maintaining board control and quickly addressing the sources of these tokens. Your toolkit should include global removal for a reset or point removal for immediate threats—measures that will effectively “sand away” your problems.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sand Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United and Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander, 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 Warrior and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Sand Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by Piotr Foksowicz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 20 | 2015 | Token | Black | Piotr Foksowicz | |
| 2 | 2024-04-19 | Outlaws of Thunder Junction Commander | OTC | 23 | 2015 | Token | Black | Piotr Foksowicz | |
| 3 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 Commander | M3C | 23 | 2015 | Token | Black | Piotr Foksowicz |