Sunder MTG Card


Sunder creates card advantage by emptying opponents’ battlefields and refilling your hand for future turns. It thrives in decks designed for multiple land plays or strategies that capitalize on bounce effects. Playing Sunder requires careful timing due to its instant speed, to maximize strategic disruption.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Return all lands to owners' hands.

The flow of time was disrupted; like a flooding river it rose from its banks. Tolaria was drowned in an instant that stretched toward infinity.


Cards like Sunder

Sunder is a unique disruption tool in the arsenal of blue MTG decks, known for its ability to choke an opponent’s resources by returning all lands to players’ hands. When we examine cards with a similar effect, we encounter Upheaval. Upheaval forces all permanents, not just lands, to be returned to hands, making it broader in its reset ability, but also more expensive in mana cost and has since been banned in Commander due to its power.

Another card closely related in nature is Cyclonic Rift, a favorite for its versatility. Unlike Sunder, Cyclonic Rift only affects one opponent’s nonland permanents, yet it can be overloaded to emulate a one-sided Sunder effect. It’s preferred by players for its asymmetry, affecting only opponents, substantially swinging the game in the caster’s favor without the symmetry that Sunder presents.

Comparing the tempo and control these cards provide, Sunder can be seen as part of a niche group of MTG cards that force substantial resets on the board. While it might not offer the targeted precision of Cyclonic Rift or the expansive reach of Upheaval, it still remains a strong contender for players who seek to strategically set back all players, including themselves, to a more primitive state of play.

Upheaval - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Upheaval - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sunder by color, type and mana cost

Desertion - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Double Take - MTG Card versions
Submerge - MTG Card versions
Misdirection - MTG Card versions
Gush - MTG Card versions
Fervent Denial - MTG Card versions
Perplexing Test - MTG Card versions
Graven Lore - MTG Card versions
Access Denied - MTG Card versions
Counterbore - MTG Card versions
Traumatic Visions - MTG Card versions
Whiplash Trap - MTG Card versions
Archive Trap - MTG Card versions
Mysteries of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Geyser - MTG Card versions
Lost in the Mist - MTG Card versions
Psychic Spiral - MTG Card versions
Desertion - MTG Card versions
Force of Will - MTG Card versions
Evacuation - MTG Card versions
Double Take - MTG Card versions
Submerge - MTG Card versions
Misdirection - MTG Card versions
Gush - MTG Card versions
Fervent Denial - MTG Card versions
Perplexing Test - MTG Card versions
Graven Lore - MTG Card versions
Access Denied - MTG Card versions
Counterbore - MTG Card versions
Traumatic Visions - MTG Card versions
Whiplash Trap - MTG Card versions
Archive Trap - MTG Card versions
Mysteries of the Deep - MTG Card versions
Jace's Ingenuity - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Geyser - MTG Card versions
Lost in the Mist - MTG Card versions
Psychic Spiral - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sunder generates a significant card advantage by returning all lands to their owners’ hands. This reset can leave opponents with fewer resources, while you refill your hand for future plays.

Resource Acceleration: In decks with numerous land drops per turn or effects that allow you to play additional lands, Sunder can drastically ramp up your resources. This enables potentially game-changing maneuvers in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Sunder at instant speed provides a tactical edge, allowing for surprise disruption of opponents’ strategies. This flexibility can turn the tide of a game, especially during crucial moments when adversaries are tapped out or overextended.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sunder necessitates that you discard a card in order to activate its potential, which could put you at a resource disadvantage, especially in tight situations where every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card asks for a precise split of mana, blue specifically, to be cast. This can pose a limitation for decks that run multiple colors or lack sufficient mana fixing to reliably cast it on demand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that reaches towards the higher end of the spectrum, Sunder may not be the most mana-efficient option for disrupting opponents, particularly when compared to lower-cost or more flexible alternatives available in the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sunder can be a game-changing card as it disrupts opponents by returning all lands to their owners’ hands. Its ability can be used in strategies aiming to capitalize on bounce effects and reset the game’s tempo in your favor.

Combo Potential: This card has incredible synergy in decks that untap lands efficiently or capitalize on opponents having fewer lands in play, thus paving the way for ensuing plays that can take advantage of the cleared board state.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where land-based strategies are prevalent, Sunder can act as a powerful equalizer. Its capacity to undo ramp progress makes it particularly effective against decks that aim to deploy expensive threats early on.


How to beat

Sunder is one of those Magic: The Gathering cards that can truly disrupt an opponent’s strategy. Sending all lands back to a player’s hand, Sunder forces a reset of the mana base, which can be challenging to recover from, especially in the late game. To effectively counter this card, the key is to maintain a diverse array of mana sources. Mana artifacts, creatures that can be tapped for mana, and abilities that allow you to play lands from other zones become invaluable in this situation.

Additionally, keeping a watchful eye on your hand size becomes crucial. If you suspect your opponent holds Sunder in their deck, avoid overcommitting to the board and play conservatively, keeping lands in hand as a precaution. Cards like Reliquary Tower that allow an unlimited hand size can also be a boon against Sunder’s detrimental effect. Prioritize instant-speed spells and abilities that let you respond to Sunder, enabling you to put lands onto the battlefield during your opponent’s turn, or recover quickly if your lands do get bounced back to your hand.

In essence, to keep playing smoothly despite the threat of a Sunder blow, diversify your mana resources and be poised with a plan to rebuild your mana base quickly should your lands be sent soaring back to your grip.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves understanding every card’s potential. Sunder, a classic tactical play, can pivot the game’s direction in your favor by resetting the mana playing field. If you’re intrigued by high-impact cards that disrupt opponents while opening strategic plays or require advice on making your deck Sunder-proof, our depth of content is designed for players like you. We share insights on navigating the ever-shifting MTG landscape, optimizing deck builds, and refining strategy. Ready to enhance your MTG knowledge and tactical arsenal? Dive into our resources and gain the expertise to not only handle Sunder’s ripple effects but to make powerful waves of your own.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sunder MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Amonkhet Invocations, 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 Sunder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sunder Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2017-04-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 1011997NormalBlackStephen Daniele
22017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 362015NormalBorderlessTitus Lunter
32020-09-26The ListPLST USG-1011997NormalBlackStephen Daniele

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sunder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sunder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 Only affects lands on the battlefield.