Struggle for Sanity MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 145
2005-08-22 - Number E16
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Target opponent reveals his or her hand. That player sets aside a card from it, then you set aside a card from it. Repeat this process until all cards in that hand have been set aside. That player returns the cards he or she set aside to his or her hand and puts the rest into his or her graveyard.
Cards like Struggle for Sanity
Struggle for Sanity is an intriguing spell that delves into the psychological warfare aspect of Magic: The Gathering. It is reminiscent of cards such as Mind Rot, where the focus is disrupting your opponent’s hand. While Mind Rot forces an opponent to discard two cards outright, Struggle for Sanity takes a subtler approach, providing the caster with the ability to look at an opponent’s hand and choose a card to exile for each copy of Struggle for Sanity in the owner’s graveyard.
Moreover, Duress is another comparable card, but its reach is limited to non-creature, non-land cards, restricting its versatility. In contrast, Struggle for Sanity does not limit its selection, thus offering broader disruption capabilities. Thoughtseize is a stronger yet similar effect, allowing players to target any card, but it also causes a loss of life, which is not a repercussion when using Struggle for Sanity.
Each card has its own merits in different situations. When selecting hand disruption spells, it’s important to consider the diverse effects they can have on game momentum and opponent strategy. Struggle for Sanity stands out by potentially impacting multiple turns and decisions, especially when combined with graveyard-recursion strategies that allow multiple uses.
Cards similar to Struggle for Sanity by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Struggle for Sanity is unique in its approach to card advantage. Unlike traditional draw spells, it peeks into an opponent’s hand and allows you to disrupt their game plan by selectively exiling the cards that pose the greatest threat. This tactical advantage can leave your opponent at a considerable deficit while you maintain control of the game.
Resource Acceleration: Although Struggle for Sanity does not directly provide resource acceleration in the form of additional mana or tokens, it effectively slows down your opponent’s resource utilization. This indirect advantage grants you more time to develop your board and strategize without the immediate pressure of opposing spells or creatures, thus creating a form of tempo acceleration.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Struggle for Sanity at instant speed offers significant flexibility. This opens up strategic plays during your opponent’s turn, allowing you to wait for the opportune moment before deciding on the best course of action. It also enables you to utilize your mana efficiently, keeping your options open for reactionary plays or end-of-turn advantages.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing Struggle for Sanity, you might find the necessity to discard a card particularly taxing. This can be detrimental during the late game when your hand is already depleted, leaving you at a potential disadvantage if you need to maintain card advantage over your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Struggle for Sanity comes with a strict mana cost that includes black mana. This specificity can restrict its inclusion to mainly black or multicolored decks that can accommodate such color requirements, potentially excluding it from more generic or differently themed decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost of Struggle for Sanity might be perceived as steep for its targeted impact on the game. Other cards in the MTG universe may offer a similar or even more potent effect at a lower or more flexible mana cost, which could lead to Struggle for Sanity being overshadowed in deck building considerations, especially in formats that highly value mana efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Struggle for Sanity is an intriguing choice for any collection due to its flexibility. This card can seamlessly navigate into decks focused on disrupting the opponent’s game plan, making it a versatile tool against a variety of strategies.
Combo Potential: The unique mechanic of picking apart an opponent’s hand piece by piece can work in tandem with cards that penalize discarded cards or benefit from the information revealed—enabling synergistic plays that can enhance your control or dimir discard strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where knowing and managing the opponent’s resources is crucial, Struggle for Sanity can shine. As players jockey for control and card advantage, inserting a card that actively disrupts hand quality can be a game-changer in many matchups, keeping your collection meta-responsive.
How to Beat
Struggle for Sanity is a card that can unsettle many players in MTG with its ability to disrupt an opponent’s game plan. The key to overcoming this card lies in recognizing that it relies on targeting a player and then compelling them to pick and exile cards from their hand based on those revealed from their library. Given its nature, strategies to mitigate its impact include using cards with graveyard synergy or playing with a high volume of redundant pieces.
One effective tactic is to employ cards that benefit from being in your graveyard. Such cards can turn the table on Struggle for Sanity by transforming an apparent disadvantage into an opportunity. Another approach is to build your deck with duplicate copies of your key cards, making it less likely that a single casting of Struggle for Sanity will significantly disrupt your strategy.
Remaining aware of cards on your deck that can shuffle your graveyard back into your library can also nullify the effect of Struggle for Sanity, as can instant-speed draw spells that can be played in response to it. Ultimately, incorporating resilience into your MTG deck design can effectively counteract the disruptive potential of Struggle for Sanity.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Struggle for Sanity MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Salvat 2005, 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 Struggle for Sanity 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 Struggle for Sanity Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2005-08-22. Illustrated by Randy Gallegos.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 145 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Randy Gallegos | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | E16 | 2003 | Normal | White | Randy Gallegos |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Struggle for Sanity has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |