Sinkhole MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 129
1993-10-04 - Number 130
1993-12-01 - Number 130
1993-12-10 - Number 130
1993-12-10 - Number 130
2010-01-01 - Number 1
2011-01-10 - Number 97
2016-06-10 - Number 106
2022-11-28 - Number 423
2022-11-28 - Number 126
2002-06-24 - Number 43566
| Card sets | Released in 11 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Destroys any one land.
Cards like Sinkhole
Sinkhole has made a lasting impression on Magic: The Gathering players due to its ability to destroy target land, a powerful form of resource denial. It is often compared to other land destruction spells like Stone Rain. While Stone Rain also allows you to destroy a land, it comes at the cost of three mana as opposed to Sinkhole’s two. However, Stone Rain has a broader color spectrum, as it requires only one red mana and two of any color.
Ice Storm is another card that shares similarities with Sinkhole. It costs one green mana and two generic mana. Aside from destroying lands, it can also target artifacts, granting it slightly more flexibility than Sinkhole. Conversely, there’s also Rain of Tears which is comparable to Sinkhole, yet it invokes the disadvantage of a less favorable mana cost to effect ratio.
When evaluating the efficiency and impact of Sinkhole against its counterparts, its cost-to-effect balance positions it uniquely within the roster of MTG land destruction cards. Players looking for a potent and cost-effective spell that can rapidly destabilize an opponent’s mana base might find Sinkhole an indispensable tool in their arsenal.
Cards similar to Sinkhole by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sinkhole. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Control | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 11 | |
| Mono-Black Aggro | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 4 Week 12 | |
 | B/W Mid | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Decklist | Free form | Canadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed | |
 | Mono-Black Lands | Legacy | 3 LPL OPEN - SEASON V - LIGA PAULISTA LEGACY | |
 | Dimir Mana Denial | Legacy | Untap.in Open League | |
 | UB | Legacy | Legacy League 2024-01-22 | |
 | Mono-Black Pox | Legacy | Mono-Black Pox | Legacy Preliminary 2024-02-05 (1) |
 | Mono-Black Scam | Legacy | Mono-Black Scam | Legacy League 2023-12-11 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sinkhole is renowned for its ability to disrupt an opponent’s mana base by destroying a target land. This card’s sheer potential to set back an opponent grants you an implicit card advantage as it can oftentimes destroy a land that is vital to your opponent’s strategic plays.
Resource Acceleration: While Sinkhole doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, the removal of an opponent’s land can work as a form of resource acceleration for you. This is because it hampers your opponent’s development, potentially giving you a tempo advantage and enabling you to be a step ahead in resource deployment.
Instant Speed: Despite being a sorcery, the low cost of Sinkhole allows it to integrate smoothly into your game plan. Early in the game, its casting cost is efficient enough that playing Sinkhole can feel as swift and impactful as instant-speed interaction, giving you the ability to significantly influence the game’s pace from the very beginning.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Being a spell from the earlier sets, Sinkhole doesn’t necessitate a discard, but its single-minded effect can lead to card disadvantage. In a scenario where land destruction is not pivotal, it may sit idly in your hand or, worse, remove a potential resource only to find you lacking in card advantage to follow up.
Specific Mana Cost: Sinkhole demands an exacting cost of two black mana. This can be restrictive as it necessitates a strong commitment to black mana within your deck’s mana base. In multi-colored decks, pulling together the necessary black mana might not always be possible when you need it the most.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana might not seem exorbitant, in the current landscape of MTG, the economy of actions and resources is key. Spending your entire turn’s mana to potentially set your opponent back without developing your own board can be a costly move, especially if your opponent recovers quickly or mitigates the setback with a wealth of mana sources.
Reasons to Include Sinkhole in Your Collection
Versatility: Sinkhole is a straightforward and efficient card capable of disrupting your opponent’s mana base early in the game. Its ability to destroy any land for just two black mana makes it a valuable tool in a variety of decks that aim to deny resources.
Combo Potential: This card works well with land destruction strategies, amplifying the impact of other cards with similar effects. It can be a key component in decks that leverage land destruction for a competitive edge, making it a potent piece in combo-oriented playstyles.
Meta-Relevance: Given that strong mana bases are critical in nearly every MTG format, Sinkhole’s relevance is undeniable. In a meta where fast mana and dual lands are prevalent, having a card like Sinkhole can provide a significant advantage by setting back your opponent’s development while you continue to advance your board state.
How to Beat Sinkhole
The Sinkhole card can be a significant disruption, throwing a wrench into an opponent’s mana base in Magic: The Gathering. This powerful black spell allows you to target and destroy a land, potentially setting back your opponent’s game plan. Effective strategies to counteract Sinkhole’s impact include utilizing lands that can regenerate or bounce back to your hand. Cards like Zuran Orb allow you to sacrifice a targeted land for life, while cards like Gaea’s Blessing can help to recycle your destroyed lands back into your deck.
Diversity in your mana base is also key; running non-basic lands that can tap for multiple colors or even have indestructible traits can minimize the disruption Sinkhole causes. Artifacts or creatures that ramp or produce mana can serve as alternative resources when your lands are under siege. Lastly, countermagic and spells that protect lands are also instrumental. Cards like Counterspell or Heroic Intervention can be your safeguard, ensuring the stability of your plays against Sinkhole’s destructive capability.
Considering these tactics, you’ll be well-prepared to maintain a strong board presence even if Sinkhole makes an appearance on your opponent’s side. Adapting to and countering land destruction strategies will give you a solid edge in your MTG matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sinkhole MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Sinkhole 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Sinkhole Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 129 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Sandra Everingham | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 130 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Sandra Everingham | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 130 | 1993 | Normal | White | Sandra Everingham | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 130 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Sandra Everingham | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 130 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Sandra Everingham | |
| 6 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43566 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Allsop | ||
| 7 | 2010-01-01 | Judge Gift Cards 2010 | G10 | 1 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Allsop | |
| 8 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 97 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Sandra Everingham | |
| 9 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jonas De Ro | |
| 10 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 423 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Sandra Everingham | |
| 11 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 126 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sandra Everingham |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sinkhole has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Banned |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |