Sawtooth Loon MTG Card
2001-02-05 - Number 123
2012-03-30 - Number 17
2023-01-13 - Number 199
2023-01-13 - Number 367
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Flying When Sawtooth Loon comes into play, return a white or blue creature you control to its owner's hand. When Sawtooth Loon comes into play, draw two cards, then put two cards from your hand on the bottom of your library.
Cards like Sawtooth Loon
Sawtooth Loon is a unique creature card within the vast Magic: The Gathering arsenal. It shares some similarities with cards like Shardless Agent, which also allows you to dig through your deck. While Shardless Agent cascades into potentially powerful spells, Sawtooth Loon offers a more controlled method of deck manipulation through its return two cards, draw two cards ability upon entering the battlefield. This ability closely mirrors the mechanics of cards such as Sea Gate Oracle, although Sea Gate Oracle offers a lesser degree of selection.
Furthermore, the resemblance to Aven Riftwatcher is evident in both their ability to impact the board as flying creatures. However, Sawtooth Loon distinguishes itself with its deck filtering capability as opposed to the Riftwatcher’s life gain upon entering and leaving the battlefield. While Aven Riftwatcher may cater more to a life strategy, Sawtooth Loon fits well in decks focusing on card advantage and selection.
Considering these comparisons, Sawtooth Loon holds a solid place among creatures that provide card advantage. It may not have the instant impact of some alternatives, but its versatility makes it a card worth considering for decks that thrive on strategic planning and foresight.
Cards similar to Sawtooth Loon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When you play Sawtooth Loon, you get to draw two cards, effectively cycling through your deck to access the right resources when you need them. This can be a crucial move that keeps your hand replenished, giving you a strategic edge over opponents.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Sawtooth Loon itself doesn’t directly produce mana or Treasure, its ability to return a land or another mana-producing permanent to your hand when it enters the battlefield may inadvertently help with mana fixing. This could set you up for stronger plays in subsequent turns.
Instant Speed: While the card itself does not operate at instant speed, the exchange of cards it offers can set you up to utilize instant speed spells more effectively. By refreshing your hand and potentially providing better options, you maintain the flexibility to react to an opponent’s actions during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sawtooth Loon asks players to discard a card upon entry. This can deplete an already scant hand, making it a tactical risk in resource-tight situations.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost requires both white and blue mana, pressing players into a two-color commitment, which can challenge mana base consistency, particularly in decks aiming for a swift setup.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing a total of four mana, the Loon’s board impact may not align with its economic investment, especially when competing creatures or utility spells offer higher value at a similar, if not lower, mana threshold.
Reasons to Include Sawtooth Loon in Your Collection
Versatility: Sawtooth Loon shines as a flexible creature, adept at finding a home in various decks. It’s especially useful in builds that rely on card filtering to ensure smoother gameplay. With its ability to exchange cards in hand, it can help customize your strategy mid-game.
Combo Potential: This card holds potential within combo-oriented decks as well. When paired with cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield or cards returning to your hand, Sawtooth Loon can serve as a reliable engine to generate those synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy with games that go to the long haul, the ability to consistently draw the right card can be a definitive factor. The Loon provides that level of consistency, allowing you to adapt to the ebb and flow of slower, more thought-out matches.
How to beat
Sawtooth Loon presents a unique challenge in a game of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature with an interesting enter-the-battlefield ability, it offers players a pseudo card draw by allowing them to return two cards from their hand to the top of their deck and then draw two cards. This not only refreshes a player’s hand but also has subtle synergies with top-deck manipulation strategies.
Overcoming a Sawtooth Loon hinges on disrupting this synergy. Utilize instant-speed removal spells to dispose of the bird before its controller can gain the benefit from its ability. Counterspells are also effective, preventing it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Alternatively, playing cards that punish the opponent for drawing, such as Underworld Dreams or Notion Thief, can turn the Loon’s advantage against the opponent. Prioritize maintaining control over the board state and hand interactions — this will limit the effectiveness of the Loon’s ability to manipulate the deck.
In essence, while Sawtooth Loon can offer a powerful tactical advantage in card selection, it can be effectively neutralized through careful play, pinpoint removal, or by leveraging cards that turn the opponent’s draws into liabilities, ensuring your strategy remains unflustered by this winged tactician’s presence.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sawtooth Loon MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth, 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 Sawtooth Loon 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 Sawtooth Loon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Heather Hudson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-02-05 | Planeshift | PLS | 123 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 2 | 2012-03-30 | Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth | DDI | 17 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 3 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 199 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson | |
| 4 | 2023-01-13 | Dominaria Remastered | DMR | 367 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Heather Hudson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sawtooth Loon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sawtooth Loon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-12-08 | You choose which white or blue creature you control to return to its owner’s hand as the first triggered ability resolves. That creature isn’t targeted by the ability. You may choose Sawtooth Loon itself. If Sawtooth Loon is the only white or blue creature you control at that time, you must return it to its owner’s hand. |