Serendib Sorcerer MTG Card
2007-02-02 - Number 61
2017-08-25 - Number 93
2020-09-26 - Number PLC-61
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Target creature other than Serendib Sorcerer becomes 0/2 until end of turn.
"Even a dragon is humble as a kitten if it thinks itself a slave."
Cards like Serendib Sorcerer
Serendib Sorcerer stands out among creature control options in Magic: The Gathering. It shares the spotlight with other cards like Icy Manipulator, which allows players to tap target creature. Serendib Sorcerer’s allure comes from its ability to permanently turn a creature into a 0/2 until end of turn, a more nuanced way of neutralizing threats without relying on tapping.
Another peer in this zone of influence is Sower of Temptation. Both cards establish control, but Sower of Temptation lets you outright gain control of a target creature for as long as you control the Sower, providing a different kind of strategic advantage. Gilded Drake, although in a higher echelon for its exchange mechanic, may also come to mind. Offering a permanent trade rather than a temporary status change, it fundamentally alters the battlefield dynamics.
While evaluating these cards, Serendib Sorcerer proves to be a unique tactical piece, capable of diminishing an opponent’s key creature without permanently removing it from the board or exchanging control. This subtle manipulation of creature power can significantly shift the course of a game, marking its own niche in the control card segment.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Serendib Sorcerer presents a strategic advantage in creature management by enabling you to alter the power statistics of a creature, potentially transforming a threatening enemy into a harmless one. This not only neutralizes potential threats but can also sway the momentum of the game in your favor, effectively maintaining or swinging the card advantage to your side.
Resource Acceleration: This mesmerizing sorcerer may not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, but it can certainly facilitate the same by impacting the board state. By strategically turning a high-powered creature into a 0/2 weakling, it allows you to safely develop your board without the looming threat of an unfavorable combat exchange, indirectly speeding up your gameplay.
Instant Speed: The true power of Serendib Sorcerer lies in its capacity for activation at instant speed. This agility allows you to react swiftly to shifting battle conditions. Whether you’re disrupting an opponent’s combat calculations or deftly avoiding removal spells aimed at your key creatures, the ability to act in the blink of an eye makes every creature on the battlefield a potential target for the Sorcerer’s transformative spell.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Serendib Sorcerer doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it can put you at a disadvantage in decks that focus on card advantage. Losing a card to activate an ability can be costly, especially when the board state doesn’t align with the sorcerer’s utility.
Specific Mana Cost: Serendib Sorcerer requires a precise mana mixture to cast – one blue and two other mana. This limitation can be restrictive as it necessitates a commitment to blue mana sources, potentially affecting the deck’s flexibility and mana base consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Serendib Sorcerer may come off as pricey when compared to other creatures with powerful passive abilities. In environments where efficiency is key, the sorcerer might not be the optimal choice for control strategies. Its stats don’t quite match up to its cost, potentially making it a less competitive option in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include Serendib Sorcerer in Your Collection
Versatility: Serendib Sorcerer’s ability to turn any creature into a 0/2 creature with base power and toughness can be invaluable in disrupting opponent strategies. From nullifying heavy-hitters to resetting creatures whose power has grown out of control, this blue wizard adds a flexible tool to your arsenal.
Combo Potential: With the right board state, Serendib Sorcerer can be a key component in combos. It has the potential to synergize with cards that punish low-toughness creatures or those that capitalize on targeting creatures, such as ones with ‘tap an untapped creature you control’ costs.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with formidable creatures, having a repeatable way to restrict their capabilities can shift the tide of any game. Serendib Sorcerer could hold its own against many creature strategies that dominate the current environment, making it a clever inclusion for those looking to outwit and control their opponents.
How to beat
The Serendib Sorcerer from Magic: The Gathering stands out with its unique ability to turn formidable creatures into mere 0/2 creatures with a single tap. It’s an excellent utility card in blue control decks and can be a roadblock for opponents relying on creature-based strategies. To effectively counteract the Sorcerer’s magic, targeting it with removal spells that can bypass blue’s counter spells is the key. Consider instant-speed options such as Lightning Bolt or Path to Exile, which can eliminate the Sorcerer before its controller has the chance to use its ability.
Another approach involves using abilities or spells that grant hexproof or shroud to your creatures, keeping them safe from the Sorcerer’s gaze. Countering the Serendib Sorcerer directly when it’s cast is another straightforward method; players should keep a watchful eye for opportunities to use their counter spells like Cancel or Mana Leak. Lastly, playing aggressively and applying pressure can also force the Sorcerer’s controller to use their resources defensively, leaving them vulnerable to other strategies and moves planned by their opponents.
Understanding the limitations and capabilities of different strategies within Magic: The Gathering allows savvy players to counteract specific threats like Serendib Sorcerer, maintain the upper hand, and potentially turn the tides of the game in their favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Serendib Sorcerer MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Commander 2017, 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 Serendib Sorcerer 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 Serendib Sorcerer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2017-08-25. Illustrated by Dan Scott.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-02-02 | Planar Chaos | PLC | 61 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 2 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 93 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | PLC-61 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dan Scott |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Serendib Sorcerer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |