Sandstone Warrior MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 199
2005-07-29 - Number 215★
2005-07-29 - Number 215
2015-05-06 - Number 154
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier Warrior |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
First strike o R: Sandstone Warrior gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
"I used to describe something stable as 'rock solid.' So much for *that* expression." —Gerrard of the *Weatherlight*
Cards like Sandstone Warrior
Sandstone Warrior is a distinctive creature in Magic: The Gathering that has the hallmark of being a red mana warrior with firebreathing, an ability that allows for an increase in power at the cost of mana. In the realm of red creatures with this trait, we can look to Furnace Whelp as a relative. Both creatures carry the firebreathing capability which provides flexibility in combat, yet Furnace Whelp requires fewer mana to initiate its power boost.
Analogous in utility to the Sandstone Warrior, we find the Raging Goblin. Although Raging Goblin doesn’t share the firebreathing, it brings to the battlefield the advantage of haste, meaning it can attack on the same turn it’s played. This contrasts Sandstone Warrior’s need for strategic planning to leverage its power enhancement over time.
Shifting the focus to a larger creature, Dragon Hatchling also dips into the firebreathing pool. Like Sandstone Warrior, it demands an investment of mana to amplify its damage potential. However, Dragon Hatchling’s base power starts lower, making the initial mana cost for boosting its attack more necessary than optional.
Considering these comparisons, Sandstone Warrior has a distinct place amongst red mana creatures with its stable starting power and flexible upgrade path during gameplay.
Cards similar to Sandstone Warrior by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sandstone Warrior offers a beneficial capability for players seeking to strengthen their creatures over multiple turns. While this card itself doesn’t draw additional cards, its repeated pump ability can potentially outvalue opponent’s one-time removal spells, leading to card advantage through battlefield presence.
Resource Acceleration: Despite Sandstone Warrior not directly increasing your mana pool, it provides an inherent form of resource acceleration. The efficiency of its firebreathing ability allows players to invest unused mana at the end of their opponent’s turn to boost their warrior, making it a flexible tool during various phases of the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to increase Sandstone Warrior’s power at instant speed enables surprise tactics and advantageous combat tricks. This flexibility allows you to strategically adapt to battlefield changes on the fly, increasing its power in response to threats or during unexpected moments in the combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the noticeable drawbacks of Sandstone Warrior is the requirement to discard another card to activate its abilities. This can lead to a depletion of your hand, potentially leaving you with fewer options in subsequent turns.
Specific Mana Cost: Sandstone Warrior’s abilities demand red mana, which could be restrictive for decks that aren’t mono-red or those who cannot consistently generate the required type of mana. This requirement can hinder its inclusion in various deck builds, particularly those that value mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost and an activation fee that’s relatively hefty, Sandstone Warrior’s overall cost-to-effectiveness ratio can be suboptimal. There are alternative creatures or spells in MTG that could potentially provide greater impact or efficiency for the same, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sandstone Warrior is a flexible choice for red decks. Its firebreathing ability allows you to adjust its power on the fly, making it a useful card for various competitive and casual formats.
Combo Potential: This creature can become an integral part of synergistic plays. Pairing it with cards that increase mana availability or untap creatures can lead to unexpectedly potent attacks, catching opponents off guard.
Meta-Relevance: With the constant evolution of the game, having adaptable creatures like Sandstone Warrior can be important. It’s particularly relevant in metas with a slower pace, where incremental advantages gained through versatility can be pivotal to victory.
How to beat
Sandstone Warrior, a creature card in Magic: The Gathering, stands out with its red mana firebreathing ability which allows players to incrementally increase its power. To tackle Sandstone Warrior effectively, one must evaluate both its strengths and weaknesses. It’s essential to have removal spells ready or blockers that can withstand its potential power spikes. Since it requires mana investment to become a significant threat, timely disruption can neutralize its advantage.
Control strategies are particularly effective against Sandstone Warrior. Using instant-speed removal such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can eliminate this creature before it becomes a major threat on the board. Additionally, since it requires a substantial amount of mana to enhance its power, keeping the player’s mana pool in check with cards like Damping Sphere can hinder their ability to boost the Warrior’s power.
Countering Sandstone Warrior before it hits the battlefield is another approach. Simple counterspells like Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent your opponent from getting this potential threat onto the battlefield in the first place. Ultimately, understanding when to remove it and disrupting your opponent’s mana are the keys to triumphing over Sandstone Warrior in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sandstone Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Ninth 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 Sandstone 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 Sandstone Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 199 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Stephen Daniele | |
| 2 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 215★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Lars Grant-West | |
| 3 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 215 | 2003 | Normal | White | Lars Grant-West | |
| 4 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 154 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Stephen Daniele |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sandstone Warrior has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |