Sandstorm Charger MTG Card
2015-03-27 - Number 34
2019-11-07 - Number 217
2020-09-26 - Number DTK-34
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Abilities | Megamorph |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Megamorph (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its megamorph cost and put a +1/+1 counter on it.)
"May our foes choke upon its horns!" —Urdnan, Dromoka warrior
Cards like Sandstorm Charger
Sandstorm Charger is an intriguing piece in the bevy of creatures Magic: The Gathering offers with prowess-like abilities. It stands toe-to-toe with similarly structured creatures such as Jeskai Windscout. Both bear the ability to increment their power and toughness, although Windscout inherently possesses the prowess ability, while Sandstorm Charger requires an additional mana investment to bolster it through megamorph.
Diving further into the morph mechanic, we find Ainok Survivalist. This creature shares the megamorph feature, allowing it to flip face-up, often surprising opponents. While Ainok Survivalist offers an added benefit of enchantment and artifact removal upon turning face-up, Sandstorm Charger focuses on sheer power increase, potentially swinging in as a formidable force.
If we weigh their strengths, Sandstorm Charger shines in decks that capitalize on sudden power boosts and combat tricks. Its ability to grow and turn the tides of combat can be pivotal, whereas cards like Jeskai Windscout or Ainok Survivalist may excel in more consistent, trigger-oriented strategies. Ultimately, Sandstorm Charger has its niche, providing substantial surprise impact in the right deck composition.
Cards similar to Sandstorm Charger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sandstorm Charger can offer a strategic benefit in terms of card flow. With its ability to return to your hand from the battlefield, it can be a recurring threat that demands an answer. This resilience can give you an enduring presence on the board, providing a card advantage over time.
Resource Acceleration: Its mana cost includes generic mana, which can often be reduced or offset by various mana-producing cards. This could lead to casting it sooner than expected, propelling your board state faster and capitalizing on the tempo to outpace your opponents.
Instant Speed: Sandstorm Charger may not be an instant itself, but its ability could potentially synergize with cards that can bring it into play at instant speed. This interaction allows for surprise blocks or combat tricks during the opponent’s turn, disrupting their combat calculations and plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To harness the full potential of Sandstorm Charger, you might be compelled to discard another card, which could deplete your hand and leave you at a strategic disadvantage, especially in the fast-paced matches where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Sandstorm Charger requires a specific mix of mana types to cast. It demands plains for white mana, which means it slots into fewer decks with ease and can strain mana resources in multicolour strategies, limiting its general playability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that’s on the higher end for its stats and effect, Sandstorm Charger faces stiff competition from other creatures in its mana range. Players often opt for alternatives that provide a more immediate impact on the game state.
Reasons to Include Sandstorm Charger in Your Collection
Versatility: Sandstorm Charger is a flexible addition to decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or want an extra punch in combat scenarios. With its ability to bolster other creatures, it integrates well with various strategies.
Combo Potential: When combined with proliferate mechanics or other counter manipulation effects, Sandstorm Charger can become a formidable force on the battlefield. Its potential increases in decks that are designed to synergize with its strengths.
Meta-Relevance: For players facing opponents who rely on stalling tactics, Sandstorm Charger can act as a game-changer. The card’s utility shines in a meta where evolving battlefield conditions demand adaptability and the capability to press an advantage.
How to beat
Sandstorm Charger presents a strategic card for those adept in the art of managing their mana in MTG. Its prowess lies in the flexibility offered by its face-down mechanic, which allows it to enter the battlefield as a 2/2 creature for a mere three mana commitment. Upon revealing its true form for two additional mana, it transforms into a more formidable 4/4 force, further bolstered by its megamorph feature that gifts it a +1/+1 counter.
Countering this desert behemoth requires a savvy approach. Removal spells with exile effect, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, are efficient for taking Sandstorm Charger off the board before it can morph and bolster its strength. Tempo plays can also disrupt the Charger’s momentum; bouncing it back to your opponent’s hand with a spell like Unsummon can render their mana investments fruitless, as they will need to re-establish its morphed state.
Moreover, keeping the pressure high with swift, aggressive strategies can prevent your nemesis from ever reaching the threshold where Sandstorm Charger can make an impactful entrance. By focusing on early game dominance, you can secure victory before the shifting sands of the Charger’s might manifest on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sandstorm Charger MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Sandstorm Charger 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 Sandstorm Charger Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-03-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-03-27 | Dragons of Tarkir | DTK | 34 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 217 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DTK-34 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sandstorm Charger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sandstorm Charger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-02-25 | If a face-down creature with megamorph is turned face up some other way (for example, if you manifest a card with megamorph and then pay its mana cost to turn it face up), you won’t put a +1/+1 counter on it. |
| 2015-02-25 | Megamorph is a variant of the morph ability. You can find more information on morph on cards with morph from the Khans of Tarkir set. |
| 2015-02-25 | Turning a face-down creature with megamorph face up and putting a +1/+1 counter on it is a special action. It doesn’t use the stack and can’t be responded to. |