Squirrel Sanctuary MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 174
2021-08-26 - Number 645
2021-06-18 - Number 70
2021-06-18 - Number 70s
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
When Squirrel Sanctuary enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 green Squirrel creature token. Whenever a nontoken creature you control dies, you may pay . If you do, return Squirrel Sanctuary to its owner's hand.
Cards like Squirrel Sanctuary
Squirrel Sanctuary finds its niche in the growing lineup of creature-generating enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors cards like Squirrel Nest in its ability to create a steady supply of furry woodland creatures. Yet, Squirrel Sanctuary differentiates itself with its trigger upon the death of a creature you control, ensuring a Squirrel token is ready to avenge its fallen comrade.
Delving deeper into comparisons, Acorn Harvest presents itself as an alternative. While Acorn Harvest requires a single payment to create multiple tokens, Squirrel Sanctuary spans the effect over several turns. It’s a subtle variance that can shape gameplay strategies, especially with the repeated resource investment that Acorn Harvest demands for flashback. Then there’s Deranged Hermit, proudly standing with its Squirrel-centric legacy. It offers a considerable bulwark of token creatures upon its arrival and a bonus to their strength. However, its higher mana cost and one-time effect contrast sharply with the ongoing token generation from Squirrel Sanctuary, which is more accessible at a lower mana value.
In the arena of Squirrel token generation within Magic: The Gathering, Squirrel Sanctuary sits comfortably among its peers, providing players with resilient token creation, responding dynamically to the flow of the battlefield.
Cards similar to Squirrel Sanctuary by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Squirrel Sanctuary. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Golgari Control | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The enchantment Squirrel Sanctuary shines when it comes to card advantage, as it creates a 1/1 green Squirrel creature token each time one of your creatures dies. This ensures you’re never left empty-handed on the battlefield, effectively replenishing your board presence and maintaining pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This card serves as a form of resource acceleration by populating the field with creature tokens without investing additional mana. Each squirrel token can potentially be turned into further resources, whether it’s through cards that benefit from having a vast number of creatures or by being used as fodder for other abilities or spells.
Instant Speed: While Squirrel Sanctuary itself does not operate at instant speed, it synergizes with cards that do: by creating tokens upon your creatures’ death, it capitalizes on the surprise element of instant-speed interactions, making your battlefield unexpectedly robust even after a full-on assault or during the end of an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Squirrel Sanctuary requires you to discard a card upon casting. This can put you at a resource disadvantage, struggling to maintain card advantage, especially when playing against strategies that empty your hand quickly.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s cost mandates a precise arrangement of mana, including green. This can be limiting, particularly in multi-colored decks that may not always have the right mana available when needed. It poses a challenge in slots reserved for flexible mana cost cards.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card centered around generating squirrel tokens, the mana investment can be seen as steep. Its cost structure might not be as efficient when compared to other low-cost token-generating options in the game, potentially reducing its inclusion in decks that prioritize speed and efficiency.
Reasons to Include Squirrel Sanctuary in Your Collection
Versatility: Squirrel Sanctuary has a unique place in various green decks, particularly those focused on creature strategies. Its ability to create a 1/1 green Squirrel creature token when it or another nontoken creature you control dies makes it a resilient option for maintaining a board presence.
Combo Potential: This enchantment shines in combination with cards that capitalize on creature tokens or death triggers. It can continuously fuel engines that thrive on creatures entering or leaving the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: With the current trend towards creature-centric playstyles, this card offers significant value through its persistent token generation, keeping your board state agile and responsive against various meta decks.
How to beat
Squirrel Sanctuary is a unique enchantment in the vast landscape of Magic the Gathering, known for its quirky ability to create furry tokens. Unlike other enchantments that might impact the board immediately, Squirrel Sanctuary waits for a creature you control to perish, then leaps into action by deploying a squirrel in its place. This kind of passive ability requires patience and a strategic approach to outmaneuver.
The key to defeating Squirrel Sanctuary lies in controlling the pace of creature combat and managing the battlefield. Cards that limit creature abilities or prevent death triggers can stifle the Sanctuary’s effectiveness. Graveyard interaction spells that exile or shuffle creatures back into the library are also invaluable. By doing so, you can ensure the Sanctuary remains a silent forest without any pesky critters scurrying onto the field. Furthermore, enchantment removal cards should be held in reserve to deal with the Sanctuary at the most opportune time, ideally when the opponent is low on creatures and can’t maximize its effect.
In essence, tackling Squirrel Sanctuary is about preemptive measures and precise timing. Address the enchantment with care, and you’ll keep those squirrels from ever calling the battlefield their home.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Squirrel Sanctuary // Squirrel Sanctuary MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 Art Series and Modern Horizons 2 Art Series, 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 Squirrel Sanctuary // Squirrel Sanctuary 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
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Printings
The Squirrel Sanctuary // Squirrel Sanctuary Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modern Horizons 2 Art Series | AMH2 | 70 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Steve Argyle | ||
| 2 | Modern Horizons 2 Art Series | AMH2 | 70s | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Steve Argyle | ||
| 3 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 174 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 4 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 645 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Squirrel Sanctuary has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Squirrel Sanctuary card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-06-18 | The last ability functions only while Squirrel Sanctuary is on the battlefield. It won't return itself from your graveyard to your hand. |