Sandsteppe Outcast MTG Card
2015-01-23 - Number 25
2021-08-26 - Number 121
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Sandsteppe Outcast enters the battlefield, choose one — • Put a +1/+1 counter on Sandsteppe Outcast. • Put a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
Cards like Sandsteppe Outcast
Sandsteppe Outcast is an intriguing creature card in the Magic: The Gathering universe. It bears similarity to other creature cards like Doomed Traveler and Mardu Hordechief, which also bring additional creature tokens onto the battlefield. Doomed Traveler, upon death, replaces itself with a 1/1 flying spirit token whereas Mardu Hordechief comes with the raid mechanic, giving you a 1/1 white Warrior creature token provided you attacked with a creature this turn.
Differences become more apparent when considering cards like Seller of Songbirds. While Seller of Songbirds creates a 1/1 bird creature token with flying upon entering the battlefield, much like Sandsteppe Outcast, the Outcast provides the choice between placing a +1/+1 counter on it or creating a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. This choice adds a layer of versatility that isn’t present in the aforementioned similar cards.
Overall, Sandsteppe Outcast offers a blend of flexibility and value that is echoed in similarly designed cards. However, its optional attributes provide players with strategic decisions that can adapt to the varied circumstances of gameplay, giving it a subtle edge in creature-based decks within Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Sandsteppe Outcast by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sandsteppe Outcast presents a unique opportunity to create card advantage on the battlefield by letting you choose between adding a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying to your side or bolstering another creature. This capacity for choice enables you to adapt to the current game state, either by expanding your army or by strengthening existing forces.
Resource Acceleration: While the Outcast itself doesn’t directly ramp your mana, the choice to create a flying token can indirectly accelerate your resources. By increasing the number of creatures you control, you set the stage for synergies with other cards that might tap creatures for mana or benefit from the number of creatures in play.
Instant Speed: Although Sandsteppe Outcast is a creature and thus doesn’t operate at instant speed, the flexibility it offers can be as valuable. By presenting immediate board presence upon casting, it pressures opponents and demands answers, much like an instant would. Also, the token generated, if chosen, becomes an immediate factor in combat or for other instant-speed interactions on your turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sandsteppe Outcast allows you to place a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying onto the battlefield, it lacks a discard mechanic that some players find useful for fueling graveyard strategies or enabling certain synergies within their deck.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires one white mana along with two of any color, which can sometimes be restrictive. Players running multi-colored decks might struggle with mana fixing, making Sandsteppe Outcast less versatile in certain deck constructions.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/1 body and a single token generation, Sandsteppe Outcast might be considered costly, especially when compared with other creatures in the same mana range that might offer more impactful abilities or greater stats.
Reasons to Include Sandsteppe Outcast in Your Collection
Versatility: Sandsteppe Outcast is a flexible card that can be easily integrated into various White or multicolor decks. Its ability to provide an additional creature upon entering the battlefield makes it a valuable piece for strategies seeking to maintain or build presence on the board.
Combo Potential: The choice between placing a +1/+1 counter or creating a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying offers combo potential with decks that capitalize on token generation or counters. It can synergize with cards and abilities that enhance token production or benefit from +1/+1 counters.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-based strategies or where flying tokens can provide an aerial advantage, Sandsteppe Outcast holds significance. Its ability to affect the battlefield immediately by expanding your forces makes it a prudent pick, especially in limited formats like draft or sealed where it can significantly impact the game’s dynamics.
How to Beat
Sandsteppe Outcast presents an intriguing tactical element on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This creature card splits attention, often demanding answers to both the 2/1 body and the 1/1 Spirit token it creates. Successfully navigating this two-pronged threat requires a blend of removal efficiency and battlefield management. A straightforward approach would involve direct removal spells like Shock or Fatal Push to swiftly take out the Outcast, mitigating the second threat of its Spirit token generation.
In terms of wider board control, spells like Electrickery or Pyroclasm can effectively clear away the tokens, helping you maintain control of the board state before the tokens can be utilized to their owner’s advantage. Keeping your removal versatile and your threats manageable is key. Unchecked, tokens can accumulate, bolstering your opponent’s presence. Focus on sustaining board control and capitalizing on Sandsteppe Outcast’s relatively modest individual impact to contain and eventually outpace your opponent’s strategy.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the cumulative effect of repeated Sandsteppe Outcast plays. Ensure your deck has a reliable way to cope with multiple creatures hitting the board in quick succession, maintaining a steady position as you work towards your win condition.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sandsteppe Outcast MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Sandsteppe Outcast 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 Sandsteppe Outcast Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Wesley Burt.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wesley Burt | |
| 2 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wesley Burt |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sandsteppe Outcast 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 Sandsteppe Outcast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | If a mode requires a target and there are no legal targets available, you must choose the mode that adds a +1/+1 counter. |
| 2014-11-24 | You choose which mode you’re using as you put the ability on the stack, after the creature has entered the battlefield. Once you’ve chosen a mode, you can’t change that mode even if the creature leaves the battlefield in response to that ability. |