Sapphire Medallion MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Artifact |
Text of card
Your blue spells cost o1 less to play.
Cards like Sapphire Medallion
Sapphire Medallion is a unique asset in Magic: The Gathering, offering a cost reduction for blue spells, much to the delight of blue spell casters. It draws parallels with the likes of Ruby Medallion, which performs a similar function for red spells. Both Medallions are part of a cycle that effectively lessens mana costs, but Sapphire Medallion specializes in the realm of blue magic, where spells often come with high strategic value.
When comparing to Jet Medallion, another member of the cycle tailored for black spells, both Medallions serve to enhance their respective color’s capabilities, but Sapphire Medallion strongly supports card draw and control strategies prevalent in blue decks. On the other hand, Pearl Medallion decreases costs for white spells. It’s worth noting that while all Medallions streamline mana expenditures, the impact of Sapphire Medallion is most pronounced in decks that heavily rely on casting numerous blue spells in a single turn.
Ultimately, Sapphire Medallion’s ability to reduce blue spell costs can be a game-changer, especially in formats where chaining together multiple spells in a turn is a path to victory. It stands as a pivotal card in MTG, especially for players who capitalize on the strategic depth blue spells provide.
Cards similar to Sapphire Medallion by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sapphire Medallion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
High Tide | Legacy | Weekly Legacy | ||
Jeskai Oracle Combo | Legacy | Blue Oracle Combo | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 (1) | |
Mono-Blue Control | Legacy | 1 LPL OPEN - SEASON V - Liga Paulista Legacy |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sapphire Medallion is a jewel in your deck that effectively reduces the cost of your blue spells, thereby freeing up mana that can be used to cast additional cards. This can create a considerable advantage over your opponent by allowing more spells to be played in a shorter time frame.
Resource Acceleration: Its ability to make blue spells cost one less to cast is a form of resource acceleration, maximizing the efficiency of your mana. This can be particularly potent in blue-centric decks where casting multiple spells in a turn can drastically alter the board state in your favor.
Instant Speed: While Sapphire Medallion itself is not an instant, the cost reduction it offers gives you the flexibility to respond at instant speed. With savings on each blue spell, you keep more mana available to react with counterspells or bounce spells, making your strategy more versatile and unpredictable.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While not directly requiring a discard, Sapphire Medallion’s effectiveness is reduced in a multicolored deck where discarding might be necessary to adjust for color imbalances brought about by its cost reduction specificity.
Specific Mana Cost: Sapphire Medallion’s reduction is exclusive to blue spells. This can be non-ideal in decks that are not mono-blue or heavily blue-focused as it will not aid in casting spells of other colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Sapphire Medallion reduces future blue spell costs, its own cost of two mana is significant. When played early, it can delay the casting of other spells. Moreover, there might be situations where the tempo advantage gained doesn’t outweigh the deck space and initial mana investment that Sapphire Medallion requires.
Reasons to Include Sapphire Medallion in Your Collection
Versatility: Sapphire Medallion is renowned for its ability to reduce the cost of blue spells. This card can seamlessly integrate into a variety of blue-based decks, amplifying spellcasting and enabling faster gameplay. Its cost reduction applies to nearly all blue spells, making it a universally beneficial addition to any collection focusing on blue mana strategies.
Combo Potential: With the cost reduction provided by Sapphire Medallion, players can more easily execute combo sequences. It synergizes with high mana spells and can be a linchpin in achieving a deck’s combo win condition. The Medallion complements strategies revolving around storm counts or casting numerous spells in one turn.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where blue control or combo decks predominate, Sapphire Medallion can be a game-changer. The Medallion’s effect scales well throughout the game and is particularly effective in metas where speed and efficiency are crucial. Its continuous impact on the flow of the game makes it a timeless piece in competitive play.
How to beat
Sapphire Medallion is a staple artifact in Magic: The Gathering that can significantly reduce the cost of blue spells for a player. Strategically, this card allows for rapid deployment of blue spells, enhancing the potential speed and efficiency of a blue-centric deck. However, every card has its Achilles’ heel, and Sapphire Medallion is no different.
One effective strategy to undermine the Medallion’s influence is through targeted removal of artifacts. Cards like Nature’s Claim or Abrade can dismantle the Medallion, instantly escalating the casting costs of your opponent’s spells back to their original levels. Another avenue is to use counter-measures like Stony Silence or Null Rod, which prevent the activation of artifacts’ abilities, rendering the Medallion essentially useless without removing it from the battlefield.
Whether the approach is direct removal or disabling its utility, hindering the Sapphire Medallion’s function is key to countering an opponent who relies on this artifact for speed and spell efficiency. Understanding the ways to neutralize such accelerants can be the difference between victory and defeat.
BurnMana Recommendations
Enhancing your deck with Sapphire Medallion can mean the difference between a good match and a great victory. As you’ve seen, the medallion offers undeniable benefits, from smoother spellcasting to opening up new combo possibilities. For blue mana players looking to make every turn count, implementing this card can be a game-changer. Whether you’re interested in amplifying your control tactics, or you’re eager to explore the depths of blue’s potential in your deck, this artifact stands ready to assist. Dive further into the strategic advantages it provides and consider how it can optimize your gameplay. Let’s delve deeper together and discover how Sapphire Medallion can become the cornerstone of your winning strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sapphire Medallion MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Commander 2014, 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 Sapphire Medallion 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 Sapphire Medallion Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 306 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Sue Ellen Brown | |
2 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 266 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren | |
3 | The List | PLST | TMP-306 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Sue Ellen Brown | ||
4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 614 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren | |
5 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 407 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren | |
6 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 | MH3 | 349 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Ron Spears | |
7 | 2024-06-14 | Modern Horizons 3 | MH3 | 296 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daniel Ljunggren |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sapphire Medallion has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sapphire Medallion 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 | Can never affect the colored part of the cost. |
2004-10-04 | If this card is sacrificed to pay part of a spell’s cost, the cost reduction still applies. |
2004-10-04 | The effect is cumulative. |
2004-10-04 | The generic X cost is still considered generic even if there is a requirement that a specific color be used for it. For example, “only black mana can be spent this way”. This distinction is important for effects which reduce the generic portion of a spell’s cost. |
2004-10-04 | The lower cost is not optional like with some other cost reducers. |
2004-10-04 | This can lower the cost to zero, but not below zero. |