Solitary Sanctuary MTG Card


Draws a card on entry, fueling strategic options and maintaining hand size. Increases chances to access needed lands and spells for gameplay advancement. Supports decks focused on instant speed spells and timely counters.
Solitary Sanctuary - Wilds of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Released2023-09-08
Set symbol
Set nameWilds of Eldraine
Set codeWOE
Number30
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byKasia 'Kafis' Zielińska

Text of card

When Solitary Sanctuary enters the battlefield, tap target creature an opponent controls and put a stun counter on it. (If a permanent with a stun counter would become untapped, remove one from it instead.) Whenever you tap an untapped creature an opponent controls, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control.


Cards like Solitary Sanctuary

Solitary Sanctuary is a unique land card that offers Magic: The Gathering players a strategic advantage through its versatile tap ability. It stands alongside a suite of similar cards that help control the battlefield. One such comparison might be with Maze of Ith, a land that can untap itself and remove a creature from combat, albeit without providing mana as Solitary Sanctuary does.

Another card worth comparing is Mystifying Maze. Like Solitary Sanctuary, it provides a mana when tapped. However, while Mystifying Maze can also remove attacking creatures from combat, it comes with a steeper activation cost. Moreover, unlike Solitary Sanctuary, which allows players to anticipate opponent strategies, it does not offer card drawing abilities.

In the realm of versatile land cards, Solitary Sanctuary earns its place by offering a blend of mana generation, creature control, and card advantage. Its position is unique in this mix, and players looking for an edge will find its strategic depth facilitating multiple game plans in Magic: The Gathering.

Maze of Ith - MTG Card versions
Mystifying Maze - MTG Card versions
Maze of Ith - MTG Card versions
Mystifying Maze - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Solitary Sanctuary by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
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Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Solitary Sanctuary is adept at providing players with an edge by allowing them to draw a card when it enters the battlefield. This key feature helps in replenishing your hand, ensuring a continuous flow of options and strategies during gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana, Solitary Sanctuary can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration. By drawing additional cards, you increase your chances of finding the lands and spells you need to progress your game plan more rapidly than your opponent.

Instant Speed: While Solitary Sanctuary itself is not cast at instant speed, it encourages a deck design that leverages instant speed interactions. By cycling through your deck and smoothing out draws, you can more reliably access instant-speed spells and responses, staying reactive to whatever your opponent throws your way.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Solitary Sanctuary requires the player to discard a card upon entry, potentially depleting valuable hand resources that could be crucial for maintaining gameplay momentum or strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The card comes with a specific mana cost allocation that necessitates both colorless and colored mana, making it a challenging fit in multicolored decks that might prefer a more flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side, Solitary Sanctuary might compete with other cards in the same mana range, which might offer immediate impact or persistent advantages without the initial card disadvantage.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Solitary Sanctuary offers a unique flexibility, seamlessly integrating into decks that thrive on controlling the tempo of the game. Its ability to bounce lands provides an adaptable response to various in-game situations.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with abilities that trigger on lands entering the battlefield or leaving. It can help you reutilize those powerful landfall effects or escape from unfavourable land locks.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, so does the value of Solitary Sanctuary. In a format where the battlefield is constantly shifting, being able to control land placement can be a subtle yet powerful tactic, making it a worthy consideration for your arsenal.


How to beat

Solitary Sanctuary is a unique land card in the diverse universe of Magic: The Gathering. This card offers a strategic advantage, granting a life point boost each time a land enters the battlefield under your control. It’s a boon to decks that emphasize longevity and those that gas up landfall mechanics. However, its defensive nature can be circumvented, flipping the odds in your favor.

To outmaneuver Solitary Sanctuary, focus on aggressive strategies that can overpower life gain. Introducing direct damage spells, overwhelming with creature offenses, or employing land destruction can effectively negate the sanctuary’s benefits. Cards that hinder land play, such as land freeze spells or those that force sacrifice, can also disrupt your opponent’s tactical setup. In essence, swift, unrelenting pressure is key to dismantling a defense anchored by Solitary Sanctuary. The faster you act and the more aggressive your approach, the less time your opponent has to capitalize on their life-gaining asset.

While Solitary Sanctuary could be a thorn in the side, remember that it’s reactive, not proactive. By keeping the initiative, you can ensure that its impact is minimal, maintaining the upper hand in the battle for victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Drawing from our extensive review of Solitary Sanctuary, we’ve seen how its card advantage, resource acceleration, and synergy with instant speed play can be a game-changer. However, it’s crucial to weigh these benefits against the potential cost of discarding a card and the specific mana requirements. Whether you’re bolstering your collection or refining your competitive deck, consider how Solitary Sanctuary aligns with your strategy in controlling the pace of the match. Keen to delve deeper into the strategic applications and optimize your deck with Solitary Sanctuary? Explore with us and fine-tune your gameplay to harness the full potential of your MTG cards.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Solitary Sanctuary MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Solitary Sanctuary and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Solitary Sanctuary has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Solitary Sanctuary card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-09-01 Solitary Sanctuary's last ability will trigger only when an effect instructs you to tap an opponent's creature. It won't trigger if a spell or ability you control instructs an opponent to tap a creature they control. For example, if you control Tangle Wire and an opponent taps an untapped creature they control as part of the resolution of Tangle Wire's triggered ability, Solitary Sanctuary's ability won't trigger.
2023-09-01 You may target a creature that is already tapped with Solitary Sanctuary's first ability. If the target creature is already tapped as it resolves, you will still put a stun counter on it.