Sleeping Potion MTG Card
2001-02-05 - Number 34
2020-09-26 - Number PLS-34
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
When Sleeping Potion comes into play, tap enchanted creature. Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step. When enchanted creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice Sleeping Potion.
Cards like Sleeping Potion
Sleeping Potion presents a unique spin on creature control within Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Pacifism, which effectively neutralizes a threat by preventing it from attacking or blocking. However, Sleeping Potion adds a layer of interaction by allowing an opponent to choose to wake their creature up at the cost of drawing a card, making it essentially a rental of peace.
Comparing it further, we can look at cards like Claustrophobia, which also incapacitates a creature without destroying it. Unlike Sleeping Potion, Claustrophobia keeps the creature locked down without providing any sort of compensatory advantage to the opponent. Then there’s Encrust, which not only keeps the creature from attacking or blocking but also turns off any of its activated abilities, with no opt-out for the opponent like Sleeping Potion offers.
Assessing value and strategic flexibility, Sleeping Potion holds a distinctive position in the MTG landscape. It’s a nuanced tool that gives control players a choice-driven mechanism, which can lead to beneficial trade-offs and potential card advantage while managing threats on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Sleeping Potion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sleeping Potion can be a subtle yet powerful tool to tip the scales in your favor. When played, it can put opponents in a difficult position by forcing them to choose between losing a creature or giving you the upper hand in card draw. This choice can contribute to card advantage, maximizing your potential plays each turn.
Resource Acceleration: While Sleeping Potion doesn’t directly generate mana or treasure, it cleverly helps in resource acceleration. By tapping an opponent’s creature, it can pave the way for your attacks, indirectly leading to a successful combat phase and additional resources through damage inflicted or effects triggered by attacking.
Instant Speed: The true finesse of Sleeping Potion lies in its instant speed, allowing strategic players to disrupt their opponent’s plans at critical moments. This can mean casting it during the end step of your opponent’s turn or right before they declare attackers, creating a surprise element that can shift the momentum in your direction without hindering your mana availability for critical spells on your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sleeping Potion demands discarding another card from your hand, which can put you at a strategic disadvantage if your hand size is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and another color of mana, the card can be restrictive and is not ideal for mono-color decks or those looking for flexible mana options.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, Sleeping Potion may be less appealing when there are lower-cost alternatives available that can achieve similar or better board control without sacrificing hand advantage.
Reasons to Include Sleeping Potion in Your Collection
Versatility: Sleeping Potion is the kind of card that offers control players a flexible option for their sideboard. Whether you’re up against aggressive creatures or looking to stall the game, this card can provide that critical tempo swing when you need it most.
Combo Potential: This card shines in scenarios where you can make the most of tapping creatures. In combination with other cards that penalize tapped creatures or with untap mechanics, Sleeping Potion can become a cog in a larger machine, setting up devastating plays.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to neutralize threats, Sleeping Potion is well-suited to disrupt creature-heavy decks that dominate the playing field. In an environment brimming with creature-based strategies, having a card like Sleeping Potion can be a game-changer, putting you one step ahead of the competition.
How to Beat
Sleeping Potion is a unique card that puts a creature into a dormant state, preventing it from attacking or blocking for as long as the enchanted creature remains tapped. To overcome this spell, it is essential to have a strategy to untap the affected creature or remove the enchantment altogether. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant are highly effective as they can directly destroy the Sleeping Potion, releasing your creature from its slumber. Alternatively, abilities or spells that naturally untap creatures can also provide a solution, circumventing the card’s restrictive effect by freeing your creature to engage once more.
It’s also worth considering the use of instant-speed spells that can thwart your opponent’s attempts to lock down your creature with Sleeping Potion. By utilizing these responsive measures, you can protect your key creatures and maintain your momentum on the battlefield. Moreover, such a proactive approach can surprise an opponent, turning their spell into a disadvantage. Thus, a well-prepared arsenal that addresses enchantment removal or creature untapping is pivotal in mitigating the impact of the Sleeping Potion on your game plan.
When planning your deck or during gameplay, keep in mind the availability of these countermeasures. Cleverly incorporating such tools ensures you are well-equipped to deal with this and other similar roadblocks, keeping your creatures ready for action.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sleeping Potion MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and The List, 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 Sleeping Potion 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 Sleeping Potion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2001-02-05. Illustrated by Daren Bader.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2001-02-05 | Planeshift | PLS | 34 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | PLS-34 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Daren Bader |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sleeping Potion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |