Sphinx of Enlightenment MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Creature — Sphinx |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2019-11-15 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Game Night 2019 |
| Set code | GN2 |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 2 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Johan Grenier |
Text of card
Flying When Sphinx of Enlightenment enters the battlefield, target opponent draws a card and you draw three cards.
"I would be a fool if I taught you everything I know."
Cards like Sphinx of Enlightenment
Diving into the depths of Magic: The Gathering’s card pool, Sphinx of Enlightenment stands out as a unique flying creature. If we draw parallels, Consecrated Sphinx is another creature that offers an advantage in card drawing, yet it does so passively by allowing you to draw whenever an opponent draws cards, without necessitating any engagement with your opponent. Both foster a card advantage, although Sphinx of Enlightenment requires an element of interactivity by giving cards to your opponent as well.
Another card that echoes similarities is Dream Eater, a creature with a nimble entry to the battlefield through a flash and a surveil ability that manipulates both your own deck and the battlefield by bouncing an opponent’s nonland permanent. Sphinx of Enlightenment, in contrast, doesn’t offer that level of manipulation but compensates with a potentially more straightforward card advantage. Finally, Frost Titan stands as a formidable counterpart. It comes with a built-in control mechanism that taps down potentially problematic permanents, though without the direct card drawing mechanic.
Across the spectrum, Sphinx of Enlightenment offers a blend of aerial intimidation and strategic card play, making it a noteworthy option in MTG for anyone looking to maintain card superiority while also fostering a diplomatic edge in multiplayer formats.
Cards similar to Sphinx of Enlightenment by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sphinx of Enlightenment is a powerful asset when it comes to maximizing card advantage. Upon entering the battlefield, it grants you and an opponent the ability to draw cards, with you drawing three and an opponent drawing one. This can significantly increase your options and strategic depth during gameplay, putting you ahead in resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing resource acceleration like mana ramp cards, the Sphinx of Enlightenment feeds into resource acceleration by potentially drawing into more land cards or cards that can ramp up your mana. This indirect benefit helps you to more quickly deploy other high-cost cards in your deck.
Instant Speed: As a creature card, Sphinx of Enlightenment does not have instant speed itself, but it encourages a style of play that takes advantage of instant-speed spells. With its substantial flying presence on the battlefield, you can pressure opponents while keeping mana open to react instantaneously to threats or opportunities at crucial moments in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In the case of Sphinx of Enlightenment, engaging your opponent in card draws could backfire if it stipulates discarding. This often places you at a strategic disadvantage when your hand is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: The specific mana requirements for casting this creature limits deck versatility. It demands both blue mana and a significant total mana cost, which can be restrictive for multicolor deck strategies seeking to keep their mana base flexible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its elevated mana expense, Sphinx of Enlightenment may lag behind other options. It can be challenging to justify the cost especially when other creatures or spells deliver similar benefits or board presence with less investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sphinx of Enlightenment’s flexibility lies in its ability to slot into decks that are hungry for card advantage. As a blue flier, it offers both an aerial threat and an instant boost in hand size, making it a valuable asset in various control and midrange strategies.
Combo Potential: Offering a card draw advantage not only to you but also to an opponent it targets on entry, Sphinx of Enlightenment can synergize with strategies that exploit opponents’ hand sizes. This makes it an enabler for both friendly combos and disruption tactics, broadening its playability and impact.
Meta-Relevance: Given that card advantage is perennially vital in gameplay, including Sphinx of Enlightenment ensures you remain competitive in environments where maintaining a robust hand is key to outmaneuvering opponents. In a meta where trading resources is common, this sphinx could offer the leverage needed for a decisive victory.
How to Beat
Sphinx of Enlightenment is a card that can pose a strategic challenge in MTG due to its ability to offer card advantage and flying power to the battlefield. To counteract this blue creature card, players should consider strategies that neutralize its effects or remove it from play rapidly. Red burn spells like Lightning Bolt or Abrade can eliminate the Sphinx before it affects the game significantly, given that your timing is precise before its controller benefits from the extra cards. Similarly, black removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Murderous Rider, can efficiently dispatch this flying threat without allowing an opportunity for card advantage.
Countering the Sphinx of Enlightenment directly is another viable strategy. Blue players have access to counter spells like Counterspell or Negate that can handle this creature before it ever hits the board, suspending the risk entirely. For those who anticipate facing this Sphinx, including versatile answers in your deck like Detention Sphere and Oblivion Ring from white’s arsenal is a savvy move, providing a universal solution to the challenges posed by this card.
Understanding the meta and preparing your deck with answers to key threats like Sphinx of Enlightenment will keep you competitive. A well-timed response can preserve your board state and momentum, preventing your opponent from capitalizing on the additional resources this MTG card is designed to provide.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sphinx of Enlightenment MTG card by a specific set like Game Night 2019, 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 Sphinx of Enlightenment 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sphinx of Enlightenment has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |