Sunder the Gateway MTG Card


Sunder the Gateway offers card advantage and strategic flexibility at instant speed, enhancing gameplay options. The card demands strategy adjustments, considering its specific mana cost and high casting investment. With meta relevance and combo potential, it’s a formidable inclusion in various MTG decks.
Sunder the Gateway - March of the Machine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Incubate,Transform
Released2023-04-21
Set symbol
Set nameMarch of the Machine
Set codeMOM
Number39
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byTitus Lunter

Text of card

Choose one — • Destroy target nontoken artifact or enchantment an opponent controls. Incubate 2. (Create an Incubator token with two +1/+1 counters on it and ": Transform this artifact." It transforms into a 0/0 Phyrexian artifact creature.) • Incubate 2, then transform an Incubator token you control.


Cards like Sunder the Gateway

Sunder the Gateway is another intriguing card to Magic: The Gathering players, resonating with the allure of selective card advantage. It bears resemblance to effects seen in cards like Commune with Dinosaurs, allowing for the anticipation of the deck’s top cards and choosing among them. Sunder the Gateway, however, brings a novel mechanic to the table – it grants the choice of a nonland card or a Gateway Plaza from among the top few cards of one’s library.

Looking deeper into MTG’s rich library of cards, you can draw parallels with Impulse, another card that lets you peek into your deck’s future and pick a card that might be required at the moment. Like Sunder the Gateway, Impulse provides a form of card selection, but it operates on a smaller scale and does not offer the ability to fetch a specific land. Cards like Anticipate also offer similar selection capabilities, digging into the next few cards to find the perfect piece for your current game situation, but lack Sunder the Gateway’s direct synergy with Gateway Plaza.

It boils down to strategy and deck compatibility when comparing these options. Sunder the Gateway carves out its niche in MTG, particularly appealing to players who value its unique interaction with a specific land type to optimize their manabase or trigger landfall abilities on demand.

Commune with Dinosaurs - MTG Card versions
Gateway Plaza - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Anticipate - MTG Card versions
Commune with Dinosaurs - MTG Card versions
Gateway Plaza - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Anticipate - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sunder the Gateway by color, type and mana cost

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Balance - MTG Card versions
Shahrazad - MTG Card versions
Martyr's Cry - MTG Card versions
Gift of Estates - MTG Card versions
Starlight - MTG Card versions
Renewing Dawn - MTG Card versions
Tariff - MTG Card versions
Pegasus Stampede - MTG Card versions
Planar Birth - MTG Card versions
Flicker - MTG Card versions
Steadfastness - MTG Card versions
Sacred Nectar - MTG Card versions
False Dawn - MTG Card versions
Morningtide - MTG Card versions
Academic Probation - MTG Card versions
Gather the Townsfolk - MTG Card versions
Servo Exhibition - MTG Card versions
Martial Coup - MTG Card versions
Revoke Existence - MTG Card versions
Glare of Heresy - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Sunder the Gateway. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
WW PauperPauper Challenge 32 2024-04-19
Boros MidrangeBoros Midrange StandardThe Pizza Box Open: Standard

Card Pros

Exploring the benefits of Sunder the Gateway in gameplay reveals several pros that can significantly impact your board state and strategic options. Let’s delve into the advantages this card brings to the table:

Card Advantage: Sunder the Gateway shines by unveiling a pathway to drawing an additional card. When deployed, the ability to peek into your deck and add another piece to your hand is invaluable, keeping your options plentiful and pressure on the opponent high.

Resource Acceleration: Beyond mere card draw, this dynamic card propels your resource pool forward. By providing a boost in mana, Sunder the Gateway accelerates your game plan, empowering you to cast more spells or deploy larger threats earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: Flexibility in MTG cannot be overstated, and Sunder the Gateway operates on this principle. The capacity to act at instant speed grants you the power to adapt to the evolving battlefield, making decisions that are both reactive and opportunistic.

The confluence of these characteristics within Sunder the Gateway makes it more than just a card; it becomes a strategic enabler that can pivot the direction of a match, favoring those who wield it wisely.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sunder the Gateway necessitates the discarding of a card as part of its casting cost. This can be particularly taxing in gameplay situations where your hand is already depleted, turning this requirement into a potential drawback that could hinder your overall strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Aiming to fit within a variety of decks, Sunder the Gateway comes with a mana cost that is not just high but also color-specific. This could make it less versatile, as it demands a certain mana base, potentially making it a less attractive option for decks that can’t consistently generate the appropriate colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at the higher end of the spectrum for its effects, Sunder the Gateway might not be the most mana-efficient choice available. In the vast and varied arsenal of MTG, players could find alternatives that offer similar or greater benefits for a lower investment, leading to a possible reconsideration of its place in a deck.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sunder the Gateway offers a flexible approach to deck building, fitting seamlessly into strategies that aim to manipulate hand contents and library dynamics. Its ability to selectively control your grip on the game translates into strategic advantage for a variety of deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: Sunder the Gateway holds promise for intricate combo lines, setting the stage for powerful plays that can abruptly shift the momentum in your favor. It works well with cards that thrive on casting or drawing large amounts of cards, thereby amplifying the potential for game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games can hinge on meticulously curated hand states and well-timed card interactions, Sunder the Gateway asserts its significance. Its capacity to disrupt opponents while enriching your own strategic options makes it a relevant choice for players looking to stay competitive and exploit the nuances of the ever-evolving meta.


How to beat

Sunder the Gateway stands out in MTG as a potent card capable of unleashing massive threats onto the battlefield. To effectively counter this card, understanding your deck’s interaction potential is key. Control decks can gain an edge by incorporating counterspells like Dovin’s Veto or Negate, which can prevent Sunder the Gateway from resolving. The timing of removal spells is also critical, with options like Bedevil or Murderous Rider to eliminate the threats as they enter play.

Another approach is using graveyard disruption tools to limit the options available for activation of Sunder the Gateway. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt and Leyline of the Void can hinder an opponent’s strategy by removing key components from their graveyard. Furthermore, hand disruption plays a role. Thoughtseize or Agonizing Remorse can preemptively strip Sunder the Gateway from an opponent’s hand before they get a chance to cast it, thus neutralizing the threat before it can develop.

Each strategy requires careful planning and a keen sense of timing, as disrupting the delicate balance of casting and countering can lead to pivotal turns in gameplay where the tide of battle is determined.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your gameplay with Sunder the Gateway can be a game-changer. Drawing additional cards fuels your strategies, while instant speed actions keep you agile on the battlefield. However, the discard requirement and specific mana cost need to be tactically managed. It’s essential to weigh its benefits against the potential downsides in your particular deck’s context. Ready to refine your strategy further and explore the full potential of your MTG collection? Discover more insights and elevate your game with us at BurnMana. We’re here to guide you to your next victorious match with powerful plays and smart card choices.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sunder the Gateway MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 the Gateway and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sunder the Gateway has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-04-14 For the first mode, if the nontoken artifact or enchantment is an illegal target at the time Sunder the Gateway tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. You won’t incubate.
2023-04-14 For the second mode, the Incubator token is chosen as Sunder the Gateway resolves. You can transform the Incubator token you just created or one you already controlled.