Sleeper's Guile MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
| Released | 1999-02-15 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Urza's Legacy |
| Set code | ULG |
| Number | 67 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Daren Bader |
Text of card
Enchanted creature cannot be blocked except by artifact creatures and black creatures. When Sleeper's Guile is put into a graveyard from play, return Sleeper's Guile to owner's hand.
Cards like Sleeper's Guile
Sleeper’s Guile is a quirky inclusion to the stealth and power boosting enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. It shares its theme with cards like Sinister Strength, which endows a creature with an additional power boost. However, Sleeper’s Guile has an edge with its ability to make a creature unblockable by a color of your choice until end of turn, offering a distinct tactical advantage.
Another comparable enchantment is Cloak of Mists. Much like Sleeper’s Guile, Cloak of Mists renders a creature hard to block, offering unblockability unequivocally. It’s a consistent effect that doesn’t require further mana investment. However, it lacks the color-specific action, making Sleeper’s Guile more flexible in certain situations.
Delving deeper into stealth tactics, one might consider Rogue’s Passage. This land can turn any creature unblockable for a turn, which is a valuable and reusable effect, albeit at a higher mana cost than Sleeper’s Guile. While becoming a staple in commander decks for its utility, Rogue’s Passage doesn’t offer the surprise factor or the power increase that Sleeper’s Guile does.
In assessing Sleeper’s Guile alongside its counterparts, the card holds its own with the unique blend of power enhancement and selective unblockability. Its tactical versatility can unexpectedly turn the tide of a game, which is always something to consider for those looking to add some guile to their MTG arsenal.
Cards similar to Sleeper's Guile by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sleeper’s Guile provides a subtle edge by potentially recycling creatures from your graveyard when they’re targeted, effectively embarrassing your opponent’s removal tactics. This reuse of creatures can be a clever way to outmatch opponents, as it feels like drawing an additional card each time a creature sneaks back into your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Although Sleeper’s Guile doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, it allows for strategic replay of creatures. It keeps pressure on the battlefield without spending extra cards from your hand, hence indirectly preserving your resources for other critical plays that enhance your board state or disrupt your opponent’s strategy.
Instant Speed: The strength of Sleeper’s Guile lies in its instant speed, enabling sneaky play sequences and tactical surprises. It allows you to act in response to threats at a moment’s notice, making it a versatile tool in maintaining battlefield presence while navigating through opponents’ turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Sleeper’s Guile requires you to discard a card, presenting a drawback if you’re running short on hand options or if every card is vital to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Sleeper’s Guile has a black mana requirement, which restricts its inclusion to decks that can produce or are based around black mana, potentially impacting its flexibility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given its mana cost, Sleeper’s Guile’s impact on the game may not measure up to other cards within the same mana range, potentially making it a less efficient choice for the slot in a deck.
Reasons to Include Sleeper’s Guile in Your Collection
Versatility: Sleeper’s Guile is a unique enchantment that lends itself to a variety of decks, particularly those focusing on stealthy creatures or creature-based strategies. Its ability to grant creatures unblockable for a turn means it can fit into both aggressive and more controlling decks that rely on reliable damage.
Combo Potential: The card pairs wonderfully with creatures that have powerful “when this creature deals combat damage to a player” effects. This opens up possibilities for synergies and creating powerful interactions that can swing the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature combat is key, having a card like Sleeper’s Guile, which ensures your creatures slip through defenses, can be pivotal. Especially in a meta where unsuspecting players may not anticipate such an efficient evasion enabler, it can serve as a critical tactical advantage.
How to beat Sleeper’s Guile
Overcoming the subtle enchantment Sleeper’s Guile in Magic: The Gathering demands a tactical approach. The card itself grants an enchanted creature the abilities to be unblockable and have shroud, making direct removal and combat blocking challenges to navigate. The key is to anticipate and disrupt. Removal spells that target enchantments, such as Naturalize, or mass removals, like Wrath of God, can level the playing field by wiping the board clean, circumventing the need to target specifically.
Additionally, utilizing counter spells when Sleeper’s Guile is on the stack is another method to thwart its activation. Cards like Counterspell provide a direct and efficient response. It is also beneficial to maintain a flexible strategy by including versatile spells in your deck that can handle various threats, ensuring you’re not solely dependent on creature combat to maintain control.
Ultimately, adapting your deck to manage enchantments and indirect threats will increase your resilience against Sleeper’s Guile and similar cards. Board control and the ability to respond to various situations are paramount in securing victory against decks that operate with such elusive strategies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sleeper's Guile MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy, 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 Sleeper's Guile 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sleeper's Guile has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |