Sphinx of Jwar Isle MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 68
2014-11-07 - Number 126
2017-06-16 - Number 28
2018-08-09 - Number 103
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Sphinx |
| Abilities | Flying,Shroud |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying, shroud You may look at the top card of your library. (You may do this at any time.)
"Even if the sphinxes do know the location of every relic, getting one to talk is harder than just searching yourself." —Sachir, Akoum Expeditionary House
Cards like Sphinx of Jwar Isle
Examining the traits of Sphinx of Jwar Isle reveals its uniqueness among flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Like other flying sphinxes, it is hard to deal with because its shroud ability offers protection from targeted spells or abilities. This compares favorably with cards like Air Elemental, a classic flying creature. Though lacking shroud, the Air Elemental stands as a solid airborne threat in the MTG blue lineup.
The shrouded Sphinx also draws comparisons with Prognostic Sphinx, which, instead of being untargetable, has hexproof when discarding a card. Prognostic Sphinx’s scrying ability shapes upcoming draws but doesn’t have the absolute protection of the Sphinx of Jwar Isle. Conversely, Frost Titan, which doesn’t have shroud or hexproof but instead taps down permanents and requires two extra mana to target, adds control elements to the battlefield dynamic.
Ultimately, Sphinx of Jwar Isle holds its place in the MTG universe as a valuable creature in commanding the skies with absolute safety from direct removal, contrasting with other options that provide different battlefield advantages and utility beyond mere power and toughness.
Cards similar to Sphinx of Jwar Isle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sphinx of Jwar Isle gives you an unassailable edge with its built-in card knowledge advantage. Each turn, you get the upper hand by peeking at the top card of your library, masterminding your next moves with perfect information.
Resource Acceleration: While the Sphinx itself does not directly produce resources, its sturdy 5/5 flying body serves as a defensive bulwark, allowing you to conserve resources better and strategically utilize your mana in more efficient ways.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the Sphinx’s shroud ability ensures it remains unaffected by instant-speed removal spells. This attribute conserves your resources by negating the need to protect your threat and allows you to invest in developing your board or holding up mana for actual instant-speed interactions confidently.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Sphinx of Jwar Isle card doesn’t have this downside, making it a handy addition to your deck without the worry of sacrificing valuable hand cards.
Specific Mana Cost: While the ability to scry is a strategic advantage, the Sphinx of Jwar Isle’s specific mana cost requires two blue, which can be restrictive for multicolored deck strategies that may not have consistent access to blue mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The six-mana cost to bring this flying creature into play is steep, particularly when competing with other cards at similar mana points that might offer additional effects or synergies.
Reasons to Include Sphinx of Jwar Isle in Your Collection
Versatility: Sphinx of Jwar Isle slots into a wide array of blue-based control and midrange decks. Its innate shroud ability makes it a reliable threat that’s difficult to remove, ensuring it has a place in any collection where resilience is key.
Combo Potential: While not a combo piece in the traditional sense, this Sphinx’s ability to stay on the board and provide consistent damage aligns perfectly with control strategies that look to win through incremental advantage and board stability.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where information is power, the Sphinx’s peek at the top card of your deck can offer a strategic edge, rounding out its usefulness in a meta where predicting and outmaneuvering opponents is paramount.
How to beat
Sphinx of Jwar Isle is a powerful creature from the world of MTG, boasting both flying and shroud as its key defensive traits. This formidable card ensures that your opponent cannot target it with spells or abilities, making traditional removal tactics ineffective. Moreover, with its ability to look at the top card of your library at any time, this Sphinx grants a strategic edge in anticipating future draws.
To overcome this resilient creature, you’ll need to think beyond targeted removal. Broad-sweeping board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the Sphinx of Jwar Isle off the board without needing to target it specifically. As another strategy, employing cards that change the rules of engagement, such as Arcane Lighthouse or Shadowspear, can strip the Sphinx of its shroud, allowing for targeted removal to come into play. Lastly, turning the tide by allocating resources to a swift offensive can pressure your opponent and reclaim the advantage before the Sphinx’s qualities become insurmountable.
Effectively handling the Sphinx of Jwar Isle requires a mix of careful planning and the right combination of strategy and card selection. By focusing on non-targeted removal or modifying abilities, you can navigate around its defenses and keep the gameplay in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sphinx of Jwar Isle MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Commander 2014, 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 Jwar Isle 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
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Printings
The Sphinx of Jwar Isle Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2018-08-09. Illustrated by Justin Sweet.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 68 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 2 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 126 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 3 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 28 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet | |
| 4 | 2018-08-09 | Commander 2018 | C18 | 103 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Justin Sweet |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sphinx of Jwar Isle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sphinx of Jwar Isle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Essentially, Sphinx of Jwar Isle lets you play with the top card of your library revealed only to you. Knowing what that card is becomes part of the information you have access to, just like you can look at the cards in your hand. You may look at the top card of your library whenever you want, even if you don’t have priority. This action doesn’t use the stack. |
| 2009-10-01 | If the top card of your library changes during the process of casting a spell or activating an ability, you can’t look at the new top card until the process of casting the spell or activating the ability ends (all targets are chosen, all costs are paid, and so on). |