Sparring Regimen MTG Card


Card advantage is key, allowing for an ever-refreshed hand via the Learn mechanic when attacking. Resource-wise, Sparring Regimen boosts creatures efficiently, giving players a battlefield advantage. It adds flexibility, with lessons learned offering an adaptable approach to in-game challenges.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Abilities Learn

Text of card

When Sparring Regimen enters the battlefield, learn. (You may reveal a Lesson card you own from outside the game and put it into your hand, or discard a card to draw a card.) Whenever you attack, put a +1/+1 counter on target attacking creature and untap it.


Cards like Sparring Regimen

Sparring Regimen stands out as an intriguing option among Magic: The Gathering’s deck buffing spells. This white enchantment offers a combination of mentoring and deck manipulation, akin to cards like Mentor of the Meek. However, Sparring Regimen’s ability to consistently put +1/+1 counters on creatures as they learn adds a dynamic edge, whereas Mentor of the Meek focuses on drawing cards when creatures with limited power enter the battlefield.

Looking at Always Watching, another card offering permanent buffs, we note its non-conditional static bonus to creatures. Nonetheless, Sparring Regimen uniquely fosters player interaction by also encouraging attacks every turn to maximize its benefits. Then there’s Training Grounds, which reduces activated ability costs. While it doesn’t directly buff creatures, its cost reduction can indirectly lead to more powerful creatures over time, which is somewhat similar to the gradual growth offered by Sparring Regimen.

Evaluating each for their utility and synergy potential, Sparring Regimen emerges as a versatile enchantment in MTG that goes beyond mere stat augmentation, contributing to sustained board presence and potential card advantage—a dynamic mix of power and utility for any creature-focused strategy.

Mentor of the Meek - MTG Card versions
Always Watching - MTG Card versions
Training Grounds - MTG Card versions
Mentor of the Meek - MTG Card versions
Always Watching - MTG Card versions
Training Grounds - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Sparring Regimen card shines when it comes to providing players with an ongoing card advantage. Each time you attack with a creature, you get to learn, which means you may reveal a Lesson card you own from outside the game and put it into your hand. This effect keeps your hand replenished and ensures you have the right tools to outmaneuver your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: With Sparring Regimen, you not only bolster your creatures but also accelerate your resources. By putting a +1/+1 counter on the attacking creature, you’re effectively enhancing your battlefield presence without expending additional mana. This can lead to more efficient plays and a stronger position as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Sparring Regimen itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, the lessons it allows you to learn can be. This flexibility lets you adapt swiftly to the evolving state of the game. You can keep your mana untapped to respond to threats or opponents’ moves and use the versatility of lesson cards to gain the upper hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sparring Regimen allows players to learn whenever they attack with a creature, requiring the discard of a card to activate this ability can pose a challenge, particularly when your hand is already depleted or when conserving cards is crucial for your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Sparring Regimen demands two white mana in its casting cost, which can be restrictive. This specific mana requirement means the card is less flexible and may not fit smoothly into decks that aren’t heavily white or that have a diverse mana base, possibly hindering its inclusion in various multicolored builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Sparring Regimen can be considered an investment in the crucial mid-game phase where every mana counts. Given its cost, it competes with other impactful three-mana spells or creatures that might provide more immediate board presence or effects than setting up for future turns.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sparring Regimen slots into a wide array of decks that focus on creature-based strategies. Its ability to bolster creatures and provide repeatable skill growth through Learn makes it a valuable asset for any player looking to build resilient boards.

Combo Potential: The card excels in synergy with decks that harness +1/+1 counters. It can be the linchpin in combinations that capitalize on counters, unlocking potent interactions and enhancing the offensive capabilities of your creatures steadily over the course of a game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based combat is prevalent, Sparring Regimen can give players a significant edge. Its persistent boost to creatures ensures that your forces stay ahead of the curve, making it an important card for any collection hoping to contend with the ever-evolving meta.


How to beat

Sparring Regimen is a powerful enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to consistently enhance creatures every time you attack. When you’re up against this card, it’s like facing an opponent who’s training mid-battle, with their creatures growing stronger each passing turn. To effectively dismantle this strategy, removal is key. Targeted enchantment removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize can be pivotal, as they eliminate Sparring Regimen from the battlefield directly, returning your opponent’s combat phase to a more manageable state.

Another approach is to control the board with sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which reset the battlefield, nullifying the incremental advantages gained from Sparring Regimen’s training regime. Additionally, instant-speed interaction can help to disrupt the synergy by removing creatures before the learn mechanic triggers. It’s also wise to keep up the pressure and reduce their creatures’ opportunities to attack, thereby limiting Sparring Regimen’s potential to empower their army. This challenging dance of disruption and pressure is essential in overcoming the strategic benefits of Sparring Regimen in your MTG battles.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sparring Regimen MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Regimen and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sparring Regimen Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-24. Illustrated by Tomasz Jedruszek.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 899822015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
22021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 2932015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
32021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 292015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
42021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 29s2015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
52021-04-24Strixhaven: School of Mages PromosPSTX 29p2015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sparring Regimen has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-04-16 If a card is brought into the game from outside the game, it will stay in the game until it ends or until its owner leaves the game, whichever comes first.
2021-04-16 If instructed to learn, you may do nothing. Discarding a card and putting a Lesson card into your hand are both optional.
2021-04-16 If you bring a card into the game from outside the game in a Constructed tournament (or a Constructed game played under tournament conditions), you may select only a card from your sideboard. In casual Constructed games, the card comes from your collection.
2021-04-16 If you bring a card into the game from outside the game in a Sealed Deck or Booster Draft event, you may select only a card that is in the card pool that you built your deck from.