Sphinx of the Steel Wind MTG Card
2009-04-30 - Number 110
2011-11-18 - Number 9
2013-11-01 - Number 217
2016-06-10 - Number 207
Text of card
Flying, first strike, vigilance, lifelink, protection from red and from green
No one has properly answered her favorite riddle: "Why should I spare your life?"
Cards like Sphinx of the Steel Wind
Consider the abilities of Sphinx of the Steel Wind, a formidable presence in the Esper color pie. This card mirrors the lifelink and flying features commonly found in creatures such as Baneslayer Angel. Yet, Sphinx of the Steel Wind also boasts protection from red and from green, granting it a remarkable resilience against certain strategies. Baneslayer Angel doesn’t have this kind of protection, which can make Sphinx a preferable choice in a meta filled with Gruul aggro or red burn decks.
Another analog to Sphinx of the Steel Wind is Akroma, Angel of Wrath. Both creatures come with an impressive array of keywords. Akroma, however, offers additional protection and the capability to not be countered, which can be of significant benefit depending on your match-up. Nevertheless, it lacks the pivotal lifelink ability that often swings games in your favor when piloting Sphinx of the Steel Wind.
Steel Wind presents a mix of offensive and defensive attributes that can dominate games. In a landscape teeming with various creature cards, its unique combination of abilities sets it apart, making it not only a strategic powerhouse but also a must-consider for decks that can accommodate its eight-mana investment.
Cards similar to Sphinx of the Steel Wind by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sphinx of the Steel Wind. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esper Tinker | Vintage | Blue Tinker | Vintage Preliminary 2024-01-11 |
 | Paradoxical Outcome | Vintage | 5c Esper Saga | HBMO24 - Dave & Adams Vintage 1k |
 | 4c Tinker | Vintage | Blue Tinker | Vintage League 2024-02-29 |
| WUB | Vintage | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-07 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sphinx of the Steel Wind is a formidable addition to any deck that rewards you for casting high-cost creatures. With its flying and vigilance, it maintains your board presence, making it difficult for your opponents to bypass it without a specific response. The card’s abilities ensure that it contributes to your advantage on the battlefield the moment it lands, and its presence alone can be a game changer.
Resource Acceleration: Although Sphinx of the Steel Wind doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, it often slots into decks that specialize in generating significant mana through artifacts or ramp. Once you have the resources to cast it, the Sphinx serves as a powerful payoff, immediately impacting the board and safeguarding your life total with its lifelink ability.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Sphinx of the Steel Wind interacts well with cards that can cheat it onto the battlefield at instant speed. Its immediate impact through keywords like flying, vigilance, and lifelink means that it can quickly turn the tide of a game, even when introduced during your opponent’s turn through various reanimation strategies or flash enablers. The surprise factor and potential for immediate life gain make it a resilient threat in any game state.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sphinx of the Steel Wind does not have a discard requirement itself, its high casting cost often necessitates strategic hand management which might include discarding valuable cards to ensure its deployment onto the battlefield.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific set of mana colors (white, blue, and black), which can be challenging to accumulate, particularly in a timely manner, restricting its inclusion to certain multicolored decks and impacting its flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an eight mana cost, Sphinx of the Steel Wind is a significant investment. In faster-paced games or environments where mana acceleration is less prevalent, players may find it difficult to cast without substantial support from other cards that can provide the necessary resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sphinx of the Steel Wind offers a robust presence on the battlefield with its suite of abilities. Its protection from red and from green allows it to fit comfortably in decks that need a resilient threat against a wide array of commonly played removal spells.
Combo Potential: Being an artifact creature, it serves as a powerful tool in artifact synergy decks. Its lifelink and vigilance abilities also work well with various strategies, making it a versatile component for powerful combo finishes.
Meta-Relevance: In competitive play environments where creature-based strategies prevail, Sphinx of the Steel Wind can be a game-changer. Its flying ability gives it a significant edge, letting it dominate the skies and withstand many commonly played creatures and spells in the current meta.
How to beat
Sphinx of the Steel Wind is a powerhouse in the MTG arena, known for its resilience and combat prowess. This flying, vigilant, and lifelinking artifact creature is a formidable opponent on the battlefield, setting it apart from other cards with its array of abilities. Its immunity to red and green spells makes it a card that demands a specific strategy to defeat.
To counter this Goliath, consider cards that bypass its protections. Unconditional removals like Path to Exile or Wraths like Supreme Verdict can clear Sphinx of the Steel Wind without having to engage in direct combat. Edict effects, forcing players to sacrifice creatures, such as Diabolic Edict, can also be effective since they don’t target the creature directly. With the right tools, overcoming this behemoth is certainly within reach for strategic players.
In short, while Sphinx of the Steel Wind can dominate the game, careful deck construction and strategic play can provide efficient methods to handle this powerful adversary. Remember to include versatile removals in your arsenal, and the victory could be yours.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sphinx of the Steel Wind MTG card by a specific set like Alara Reborn and Premium Deck Series: Graveborn, 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 the Steel Wind 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 the Steel Wind Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-04-30 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-04-30 | Alara Reborn | ARB | 110 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2011-11-18 | Premium Deck Series: Graveborn | PD3 | 9 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 217 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 207 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sphinx of the Steel Wind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.