Sarulf, Realm Eater MTG Card
2021-02-05 - Number 228
2021-02-05 - Number 330
2021-02-06 - Number 228s
2021-02-06 - Number 228p
2002-06-24 - Number 88370
2020-09-26 - Number KHM-228
2021-02-05 - Number 65
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Wolf |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Whenever a permanent an opponent controls is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on Sarulf, Realm Eater. At the beginning of your upkeep, if Sarulf has one or more +1/+1 counters on it, you may remove all of them. If you do, exile each other nonland permanent with mana value less than or equal to the number of counters removed this way.
Cards like Sarulf, Realm Eater
Sarulf, Realm Eater has a unique position among MTG creatures due to its ability to act as a board wipe that scales with the number of permanents being exiled. Closely akin to him is the Blind Obedience card, which similarly disrupts opponents by delaying their artifacts and creatures. Yet, Sarulf offers a greater threat with its potential to grow and clear the board, not just slow it down.
Another noteworthy comparison is the Tarmogoyf, which also becomes stronger as more card types find their way into graveyards. Unlike Sarulf, Tarmogoyf doesn’t offer a direct way to manage the battlefield but can become a powerful force as the game progresses. Then there’s Scavenging Ooze, which, like Sarulf, interacts with graveyards and can become substantial in size while providing life gain, although it doesn’t offer the widespread removal that Sarulf does.
Sarulf, Realm Eater provides a strategic edge for players who enjoy maintaining control over the board while developing a formidable presence. Its capacity for removal and growth makes it a distinguished card in MTG, standing out amongst peers for its versatile and game-shaping abilities.
Cards similar to Sarulf, Realm Eater by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sarulf, Realm Eater presents a dynamic way to create card advantage by steadily clearing the battlefield of your opponent’s permanents. Through its unique ability to grow by removing counters and decimating the opponent’s board, it ensures that you regularly undermine their resources while bolstering your offensive presence.
Resource Acceleration: This pivotal wolf provides a form of indirect resource acceleration by creating an environment hostile to your opponent’s resources. Each counter placed on Sarulf during upkeep is a step towards a one-sided board wipe, speeding up the game in your favor as your adversaries struggle to rebuild their board presence.
Instant Speed: Although Sarulf itself does not function at instant speed, it affects the board during each upkeep, which requires opponents to react swiftly, often on their own turn. This constant pressure can force opponents to play at an uncomfortable pace, potentially leading to mistakes or suboptimal plays as they rush to answer Sarulf’s looming threat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sarulf, Realm Eater doesn’t require you to discard cards, it necessitates a build-up of counters to become effective, which may slow down your game plan and make it less appealing in fast-paced match-ups.
Specific Mana Cost: Sarulf’s casting requirements of one black and one green mana can restrict its inclusion to decks with a Golgari color scheme, thereby limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana and the need to accumulate counters before its ability becomes viable, some players may find Sarulf less appealing compared to more immediate threat removal options available at a lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sarulf, Realm Eater presents a unique ability to work in both offensive and defensive strategies. This card can be an adaptable addition to various deck archetypes, thriving in environments rich with permanents by steadily growing in power.
Combo Potential: Sarulf’s exile ability opens the door for interesting interactions. By accumulating counters and clearing the board, you enable synergies with graveyard and death-triggered effects, making it a compelling tactical choice for decks that capitalize on removal.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Sarulf, Realm Eater can be a key card. Keeping opponent’s boards in check while simultaneously pressuring with a growing threat keeps you relevant and competitive in the ever-evolving MTG landscape.
How to beat
Sarulf, Realm Eater is a notorious card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, known for its creature-centric strategy that can quickly escalate to control the battlefield. Overcoming this intimidating wolf is a feat that requires careful planning and strategy. One effective method to counter Sarulf is to utilize instant-speed removal spells. These allow players to respond to the creature’s growth before it becomes too menacing. Cards like Heartless Act or Bloodchief’s Thirst can be particularly useful as they’re both cost-effective and able to take down Sarulf before its ability triggers.
Another approach is to minimize the creature count on your side of the field. Since Sarulf’s ability hinges on the existence of a substantial number of creatures to consume, playing a control deck with fewer creature targets can reduce its impact. Enchantment-based removals like Banishing Light also shine here, bypassing Sarulf’s growing power to exile it from the game comfortably. Lastly, including counterspells to your deck, such as Negate or Saw It Coming, can prevent Sarulf from ever hitting the battlefield to begin with, thus neutralizing the threat prematurely.
Whatever strategy you employ, remember that timing is critical when dealing with Sarulf, Realm Eater. Stay ahead by maintaining a versatile hand and control the pace of the game to ultimately starve Sarulf of its power.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sarulf, Realm Eater MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The List, 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 Sarulf, Realm Eater 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 Sarulf, Realm Eater Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2021-02-06. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 88370 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dibujante Nocturno | ||
| 2 | The List | PLST | KHM-228 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | ||
| 3 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 228 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 4 | Kaldheim Art Series | AKHM | 65 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Chris Rahn | ||
| 5 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 330 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dibujante Nocturno | |
| 6 | 2021-02-06 | Kaldheim Promos | PKHM | 228s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn | |
| 7 | 2021-02-06 | Kaldheim Promos | PKHM | 228p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chris Rahn |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sarulf, Realm Eater has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sarulf, Realm Eater card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-05 | Choosing to remove all the +1/+1 counters on Sarulf won’t affect any other counters it may have. |
| 2021-02-05 | If Sarulf doesn’t have any +1/+1 counters on it as your upkeep begins, its last ability won’t trigger at all. If the ability does trigger, it will check again as it tries to resolve. If Sarulf doesn’t have any +1/+1 counters on it at that time, the ability won’t do anything. No other permanents will be exiled. |
| 2021-02-05 | If Sarulf isn’t on the battlefield as its last ability starts to resolve, you can’t remove any +1/+1 counters from it, even if it had +1/+1 counters when it was last on the battlefield. No other permanents will be exiled. |
| 2021-02-05 | If you do remove +1/+1 counters, you must remove all of them. You can’t fine-tune the carnage by only removing some of them. |
| 2021-02-05 | It doesn’t matter which graveyard the permanent is put into as long as an opponent controlled it when it last existed on the battlefield. |
| 2021-02-05 | You choose whether to remove +1/+1 counters as the last ability is resolving. If you do, the appropriate permanents are then exiled. No one can respond to your choice or take actions during this process. |
| 2021-02-05 | You may choose to remove Sarulf’s +1/+1 counters even if that would cause lethal damage to be marked on Sarulf. If you do this, Sarulf will die after its last ability is finished resolving. But it won’t have gone alone! Legendary. |