Sparring Mummy MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 29
2018-06-08 - Number 108
2019-11-07 - Number 242
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-29
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
When Sparring Mummy enters the battlefield, untap target creature.
Aspiring to earn their place in the afterlife, acolytes train every day against those who fell short of that glory.
Cards like Sparring Mummy
Sparring Mummy feels right at home in the vast desert of common white creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Like other serviceable vanilla creatures such as Gust Walker or Tah-Crop Elite, Sparring Mummy fits neatly into the curve of many limited gameplay decks. However, this mummy from the Amonkhet set differs slightly by giving a player the aptly thematic ability to untap another target creature when it enters the battlefield.
In the realm of Amonkhet, where exerting creatures can provide powerful effects at the cost of keeping them tapped, Sparring Mummy can be quite valuable. It aligns well with cards like Vigilant Baloth, which has a similar creature enabler role, but without the set-specific mechanics and at a different point in the mana curve. While Sparring Mummy doesn’t boost stats like Inspired Charge or offer evasion like Winged Shepherd, its straightforward utility can be a subtle game-changer in the right deck, especially considering its accessible four mana casting cost.
While not the flashiest card, Sparring Mummy can play a significant yet unassuming role, akin to how other creatures support various game strategies in MTG without drawing too much attention to themselves. Its ability to untap another creature allows for strategic plays, keeping the game’s momentum in your favor.
Cards similar to Sparring Mummy by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sparring Mummy may not directly grant card advantage, but its ability to untap another target creature can lead to advantageous board states. This interaction can create opportunities for repeated use of tap abilities, indirectly contributing to gaining a strategic upper hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Sparring Mummy itself does not provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense of generating additional mana, its ability to untap a creature can be leveraged in conjunction with creatures that provide mana or other resources when tapped. This synergy effectively accelerates your resource access, albeit conditionally.
Instant Speed: The untapping ability of Sparring Mummy takes effect as it enters the battlefield, and while not at instant speed, it allows for the immediate utilization of creatures that were previously tapped. This can simulate an instant-like effect, readying your creatures for unexpected defensive or offensive maneuvers within the same turn cycle.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Sparring Mummy demands a precise mana combination to cast, which can pose a challenge in decks that incorporate more than two colors. This white creature may not always fit seamlessly into the mana base, potentially causing delays in play or suboptimal mana usage.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost of four, Sparring Mummy’s abilities can be considered costly when compared to other creatures in the same mana slot. Players may find that at this stage of the game, they could deploy threats or defenses with greater impact on the board state.
Discard Requirement: While Sparring Mummy itself does not have a discard requirement, this creature’s effectiveness may be indirectly influenced by other cards in a player’s hand that do have this stipulation. In such instances, maintaining a hand size essential for maximizing Sparring Mummy’s play value becomes a tactical burden.
Reasons to Include Sparring Mummy in Your Collection
Versatility: Sparring Mummy slips seamlessly into a multitude of White-based aggressive decks, as well as those looking to take advantage of its untap ability. The card can be particularly useful in decks that rely on creatures with tap abilities or for supporting an exert strategy.
Combo Potential: This card has an inherent ability to untap another target creature when it enters the battlefield. This can open up numerous combo possibilities, especially in decks that aim to make multiple uses of tap and untap mechanics within a single turn cycle.
Meta-Relevance: Given the evolving battlefield of the MTG scene, Sparring Mummy can be a sleeper hit in an environment where tempo plays a crucial role. In a meta where creatures can be made to tap without attacking, such as through exert mechanics, Sparring Mummy helps maintain pressure on your opponent without sacrificing board presence.
How to beat
Sparring Mummy is a creature card in MTG that belongs to a class of cards designed to affect the battlefield with its untap ability when it enters the fray. To effectively counter Sparring Mummy, one must understand its synergy within decks that capitalize on exert mechanics or utilize tap and untap strategies. Similar to how one might intercept a combat trick in limited play, timing and understanding the deck archetype it supports are crucial.
The most direct approach is to remove Sparring Mummy before it can make a considerable impact—employing instant-speed removal spells or abilities that can dismantle the card upon entry. Cards like Fatal Push or Cast Down come in handy here, mitigating the advantage Sparring Mummy could provide. Moreover, keeping a vigilant eye on opponent’s mana availability and potential combat scenarios helps in anticipating the play of this card, enabling preemptive measures.
Tactically, it’s also advantageous to thwart the strategies that Sparring Mummy enables. Disrupting combos and exertions through control elements or by placing obstacles, such as creatures with superior defensive capabilities, will help in diluting its effectiveness. Ultimately, knowing when to challenge Sparring Mummy on the stack or in combat is key to maintaining the upper hand against this creature and its associated tap-unlock strategies.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sparring Mummy MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Battlebond, 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 Sparring Mummy 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 Sparring Mummy Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Ryan Pancoast.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 2 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 108 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 242 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | AKH-29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sparring Mummy has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |