Saruman's Trickery MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Instant |
Abilities | Amass |
Text of card
Counter target spell. Amass Orcs 1. (Put a +1/+1 counter 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.)
"I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly." —Saruman
Cards like Saruman's Trickery
Saruman’s Trickery carves its niche within the vast library of control spells in MTG. It stands in line with effects like Unsummon or Vapor Snag, which are classic choices for temporarily dealing with opponents’ creatures. Saruman’s Trickery, with its ability to interrupt the combat phase, can be a strategic lifesaver, similar to how Unsummon grants you a reprieve by bouncing a threat back to the owner’s hand. Though entry-level spells like Unsummon don’t typically handle multiple targets, Saruman’s Trickery can potentially sway the tide of an entire combat round.
Given its situational advantage, it can be closely compared to cards like Cyclonic Rift, which also disrupts the opponent’s board presence, albeit at a different scale and mana cost. While Cyclonic Rift has the potential to clear the entire field with its overload ability, Saruman’s Trickery offers a targeted yet multi-use approach, giving players the flexibility to address immediate threats turn by turn.
Examining cards like these highlights the strategic diversity available to players. Saruman’s Trickery’s unique offering of both creature disruption and a form of pseudo card advantage by nullifying multiple attackers or blockers denotes a valuable spot for it among MTG’s array of control spells.
Cards similar to Saruman's Trickery by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Saruman's Trickery. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Esper Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024 | ||
Azorius Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 09 2024 | ||
Izzet Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 15 2024 | ||
Jeskai Control | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 09 2024 | ||
Bant Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Saruman’s Trickery provides a strategy to manipulate deck contents, offering control over upcoming draws and improved chance to access key cards when you need them.
Resource Acceleration: This card allows players to efficiently utilize their mana. By filtering unwanted draws, you ensure your turns are impactful, perhaps even accelerating your game plan by dispensing with less-useful cards.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Saruman’s Trickery at instant speed is a major tactical advantage. It enables players to interact with their opponent’s actions during their turn, which can disrupt strategies and protect important resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Saruman’s Trickery forces you to discard a card upon playing it. This can be a significant downside when your hand is already dwindling, making you sacrifice another potentially valuable piece of your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands both blue and general mana, which requires a dedication to blue sources within your deck. Players not running a deck with a strong blue mana base will find it challenging to incorporate Saruman’s Trickery effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side, Saruman’s Trickery competes with other impactful cards in your deck that could be cast at the same stage of the game. For the cost and the effect it provides, there might be alternatives that offer a higher immediate value or long-term advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Saruman’s Trickery offers flexible control options, capable of disrupting a wide array of strategies. It can be a key card in decks that aim to control the pace of the game and maintain the upper hand.
Combo Potential: This card can be a crucial piece in combos, countering key spells or enabling surprise plays that can swing the game in your favour. Its ability to potentially cause opponents to tap out can leave them vulnerable and give you the advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy with spell-based strategies or where countering crucial plays can determine the outcome of a game, Saruman’s Trickery can become a necessary tool in a player’s arsenal to navigate through competitive matches effectively.
How to beat
Understanding the mechanics and strategic deployment of Saruman’s Trickery is crucial for any player looking to gain an upper hand in a Magic: The Gathering match. This card, a spell of deception and control, can disrupt an opponent’s flow and tilt the scales of the game. When facing this cunning card, one’s best move is to focus on spells and abilities that can’t be countered. Cards like Prowling Serpopard or spells with the keyword “can’t be countered” allow you to bypass Saruman’s Trickery’s influence and keep your game plan running smoothly.
To further fortify your position, including instant-speed removal or creature abilities that trigger upon casting can also serve as a reliable safeguard. These methods ensure that even if a creature spell is countered, you still gain value from it entering the battlefield or the cast trigger. Moreover, timing your plays outside of the primary phase, when Saruman’s Trickery can be casted, can diminish its impact, forcing the obstacle it presents into irrelevance.
In essence, by weaving together intricate knowledge of the game’s rules and carefully chosen cards that neutralize the interrupts, a player can masterfully maneuver through the challenge posed by Saruman’s Trickery. Overcoming this card is less about brute force and more about the keen adaptation, precise timing, and an unyielding resolve.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering MTG isn’t just about the cards you play; it’s about understanding their potential in your deck and against your opponents. Saruman’s Trickery is more than just another control spell. Its versatility in disrupting opponent strategies and setting up your own plays makes it an intriguing addition for blue-focused players. As the game evolves, staying ahead of the meta is key, and cards like this can be instrumental in outmaneuvering opponents. We understand the thrill of crafting that perfect deck, and we’re here to guide you through every step. Dive deeper into strategic deck building and refine your gameplay with us—your next triumphant match is just a play away.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Saruman's Trickery 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's Trickery and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Saruman's Trickery Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Yongjae Choi.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 519 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yongjae Choi | |
2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 68 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yongjae Choi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Saruman's Trickery has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Alchemy | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Saruman's Trickery 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 | 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. |