Saruman the White MTG Card


Disrupts opponents’ strategy with insight into their future plays, tailoring your approach to gain control. Accelerates resources, unlocking new strategic plays that enhance your position on the battlefield. Instant speed capability of Saruman the White allows for significant, game-altering reactive plays.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Avatar Wizard
Abilities Amass,Ward
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Ward Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, amass Orcs 2. (Put two +1/+1 counters on an Army you control. It's also an Orc. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token first.)

"Sauron's victory is at hand; and there will be rich reward for those who aided it."


Cards like Saruman the White

In the realm of MTG, Saruman the White is known for its strategic advantage in controlling opponents’ plays. When weighing this card against its peers, one might consider Lorthos, the Tidemaker, another formidable creature that can dictate the battlefield by selectively freezing a player’s assets. While Lorthos may affect the board immediately, Saruman’s enchantment nuances offer a layer of ongoing manipulation, potentially altering the trajectory of the game every time an opponent casts a spell.

Moving forward, there’s the example of Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger, which also inhibits opponents by doubling the cost of their spells, all the while accelerating the controller’s mana. Saruman’s power lies not in mana disruption but in offering a choice – a deceptively simple action that can create complex and game-changing decisions.

Reflecting on the control archetype, Saruman the White carves its niche. It doesn’t deliver the brute force of Lorthos or the mana leverage of Vorinclex but leverages psychological warfare, guiding players into a dance of choices, with each decision potentially leading them closer to defeat. It’s this unique ability to outmaneuver opponents through foresight and strategy that truly defines Saruman’s value in MTG.

Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Saruman the White by color, type and mana cost

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Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions
Belltower Sphinx - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Saruman the White gives players the upper hand by potentially disrupting the opponent’s strategy while also providing valuable insight into their future plays. This card offers a chance to proactively plan the next moves, setting the stage for dominating the game.

Resource Acceleration: The efficiency of Saruman the White lies in its ability to potentially unlock additional resources. By giving players access to spells or effects that otherwise may have been out of reach, it acts as a catalyst for faster development on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The true power of this card emerges with its instant speed capability, allowing for reactive plays that can significantly alter the course of the game. Having the flexibility to cast it at the most opportune moment sharpens its strategic value, making it a fearsome tool in the right hands.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Saruman the White’s abilities could demand the discarding of valuable cards, thus reducing your hand advantage against opponents, which is a tactical setback especially in tight game scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a particular combination of mana, potentially constraining its integration solely into decks that can reliably produce the necessary colors, which may not always be feasible without affecting the deck’s overall consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card enters the battlefield at a higher mana cost compared to other similar alternatives. This can make it challenging to play early in the game, potentially slowing down your strategy’s execution at critical junctures.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Saruman the White offers a flexible approach to deck building, seamlessly integrating with control or midrange strategies. His ability to potentially manipulate the board state complements various phases of the game.

Combo Potential: As a card that could synergize with a range of spells and abilities, Saruman the White elevates combo decks by increasing the impact of powerful spell synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that values spellcasting and control, Saruman the White holds a place of significance, enhancing deck responsiveness against a wide array of strategies.


How to beat

Saruman the White commands a unique position in the wizard’s circle of MTG cards, providing strategic challenges that demand attention. To triumph against this formidable foe, understanding its mechanics is key. Saruman introduces a layer of control over the game by manipulating the top cards of a player’s library, potentially transforming an opponent’s deck into a tool against them.

The most effective tactic requires a dismissal of conventional deck building wisdom. Refrain from relying heavily on individual power cards and instead foster a strategy emphasizing lower-cost creatures and spells. This approach aids in mitigating Saruman’s influence by decreasing the potential impact of any one spell he manipulates. Furthermore, consider incorporating cards that grant deck-shuffling abilities, or utilize scrying to ensure the top card of your library doesn’t become a liability in Saruman’s hands.

In essence, agility and adaptability are your staunch allies in the battle to overcome the might of Saruman the White. A diversified arsenal, coupled with keen awareness of his controlling tendencies, positions any player to navigate and ultimately negate the challenges posed by this captivating MTG card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG is an art form that blends strategy with anticipation, and wielding Saruman the White adeptly can tilt the scales of victory in your favor. Recognizing the card’s potential for both disruption and acceleration, it becomes a keystone in crafting a sophisticated deck. With its profound influence on both gameplay and the metagame, understanding and harnessing Saruman’s unique abilities can provide a remarkable edge. We encourage you to delve deeper into the strategies that leverage this card’s full potential. Embark on your quest for dominance and discover the intricate plays that make Saruman the White a worthy addition to your collection. Learn more with us and elevate your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Saruman the White MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 Saruman the White and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Saruman the White Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 5182015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 672015NormalBlackMatt Stewart

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Saruman the White has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Saruman the White card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-06-16 Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army.
2023-06-16 Amass abilities are now written as "amass
-ubtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N."
2023-06-16 If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters.
2023-06-16 In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
2023-06-16 Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason.
2023-06-16 Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs.
2023-06-16 Spells that were cast before Saruman the White count. If Saruman the White was the first spell you cast this turn, the next spell you cast this turn is your second spell.
2023-06-16 To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.