Sheer Drop MTG Card
2015-08-28 - Number 9
2015-10-02 - Number 48
2019-11-07 - Number 226
2020-09-26 - Number BFZ-48
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Awaken |
Text of card
Destroy target tapped creature. Awaken 3— (If you cast this spell for , also put three +1/+1 counters on target land you control and it becomes a 0/0 Elemental creature with haste. It's still a land.)
Cards like Sheer Drop
Sheer Drop serves as a tactical option in Magic: The Gathering for when battlefield control is vital. This sorcery mirrors the functionality of cards like Smite the Monstrous by providing a way to remove large threats. Sheer Drop, unique in its approach, requires a landfall trigger to also transform a land into a creature, representing a two-in-one advantage over Smite the Monstrous, which strictly targets creatures of significant power.
Another parallel can be drawn with Oblivion Strike, both offering exile based removal. While Oblivion Strike bypasses power restrictions, Sheer Drop affords an additional board presence if the landfall condition is met. Furthermore, comparing it to Journey to Nowhere, you get instantaneous removal at the expense of a higher casting cost for Sheer Drop but with the added benefit of land animation on a landfall event.
Each card has its niche, but Sheer Drop indeed stands out by combining removal with the potential for creating offensive capabilities, aligning it uniquely amongst its sorcery-based removal peers. This places Sheer Drop in a favorable position for players who want to maintain or swing momentum in their favor during a game.
Cards similar to Sheer Drop by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sheer Drop brings a distinct advantage to control decks. When used with its awaken cost, it not only removes a problematic creature but also transforms a land into a formidable attacker or blocker. This effectively gives you two resources for the price of one and can swing the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: The card’s awaken mechanic may not produce mana directly, but it provides a significant boost to your offensive resources. By turning a land into a creature, it allows you to accelerate your board presence unexpectedly, giving you an edge in both defense and attack.
Instant Speed: Despite being a sorcery, Sheer Drop’s ability to eliminate a tapped creature can be a game-changer during the right circumstances. It prompts your opponent to be cautious when attacking, as deploying this card can disrupt their strategy and lead to advantageous blocks on your next turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike cards that allow for free casting or additional benefits without extra costs, Sheer Drop requires the player to have a landfall trigger to get its full benefit. This condition can be limiting, especially if you are not drawing enough lands or playing a land-light strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Sheer Drop’s mana cost demands one white and two colorless, which might not align with decks that favor a more diverse or multicolored mana base. It can be challenging to cast in a timely manner if you’re managing a tricky mana curve or playing under tight color restrictions.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, some players might consider Sheer Drop expensive for its basic effect of destroying a tapped creature. In a metagame filled with lower-cost removal options, using three mana for a similar effect may not be as economical, compromising efficiency in your game plan.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sheer Drop serves a dual function in your deck. Not only does it act as a removal spell, but with its landfall ability, it also has the potential to become a creature killer if you play a land on the same turn, fitting into decks that capitalize on land synergy.
Combo Potential: In decks that manipulate land drops or generate additional landfall triggers, Sheer Drop becomes a repeatable source of creature control, aligning well with strategies that revolve around controlling the board state.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-heavy decks are prevalent in various metas, having a targeted removal like Sheer Drop can be the difference between dealing with a major threat or falling behind on board presence.
How to beat
Sheer Drop is an impactful removal spell in the world of Magic the Gathering, offering players a strategic tool for clearing troublesome creatures from the battlefield. While at first glance, its dual-mode might seem daunting, especially with the awaken ability that not only destroys a tapped creature but also allows land to become a formidable creature, there are ways to outmaneuver this sorcery.
To effectively counter Sheer Drop, consider holding back on attacking with key creatures until you can protect them with instant-speed spells like hexproof or indestructible effects. Alternatively, playing creatures with vigilance ensures they don’t have to tap to attack, thereby escaping Sheer Drop’s primary condition. Players should also be cautious about overextending on the board, as Sheer Drop can significantly shift the game’s dynamics. Forcing your opponent to use it on less critical creatures or when you have the resources to recover quickly can reduce its impact.
Understanding the nuances of timing and the ability to predict when an opponent might have Sheer Drop at their disposal will make it manageable. This way, you can play around it effectively and maintain control of the board, ultimately keeping your key creatures safe and your strategic position secure.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sheer Drop MTG card by a specific set like Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi and Battle for Zendikar, 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 Sheer Drop and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Sheer Drop Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2015-08-28 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Clint Cearley.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-08-28 | Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi | DDP | 9 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 2 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 48 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 226 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | BFZ-48 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sheer Drop has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sheer Drop card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | Awaken doesn’t give the land you control a color. As most lands are colorless, in most cases the resulting land creature will also be colorless. |
| 2015-08-25 | If a spell with awaken has multiple targets (including the land you control), and some but not all of those targets become illegal by the time the spell tries to resolve, the spell won’t affect the illegal targets in any way. |
| 2015-08-25 | If the non-awaken part of the spell doesn’t require a target and you cast the spell for its awaken cost, then the spell won’t resolve if the target land you control becomes illegal before the spell resolves (such as due to being destroyed in response to the spell being cast). |
| 2015-08-25 | If the non-awaken part of the spell requires a target, you must choose a legal target. You can’t cast the spell if you can’t choose a legal target for each instance of the word “target” (though you only need a legal target for the awaken ability if you’re casting the spell for its awaken cost). |
| 2015-08-25 | The land will retain any other types, subtypes, or supertypes it previously had. It will also retain any mana abilities it had as a result of those subtypes. For example, a Forest that’s turned into a creature this way can still be tapped for . |
| 2015-08-25 | You can cast a spell with awaken for its mana cost and get only its first effect. If you cast a spell for its awaken cost, you’ll get both effects. |