Sunken Citadel MTG Card
2023-11-17 - Number 392
2023-11-17 - Number 285
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land — Cave |
Text of card
Sunken Citadel enters the battlefield tapped. As it enters, choose a color. : Add one mana of the chosen color. : Add two mana of the chosen color. Spend this mana only to activate abilities of land sources.
Cards like Sunken Citadel
Sunken Citadel presents an intriguing option for players seeking mana flexibility in Magic: The Gathering. This card shares similarities with other dual-lands like Temple of Epiphany, which also provides access to two colors of mana. However, Sunken Citadel does not enter the battlefield tapped, granting immediate mana acceleration, a notable advantage over the Temple’s slower tempo, which requires it to enter tapped and only untap on the following turn.
Looking at the Ravnica block, we encounter the Dimir Guildgate. This card again offers mana from two different colors but at the expense of coming into play tapped, hindering immediate use. While not offering Scry like Temple of Epiphany, Sunken Citadel’s speed could make it preferable in fast-paced games. Another card that lands into the conversation is Izzet Boilerworks. It bounces another land upon entry, potentially setting back your land progression, unlike Sunken Citadel which respects your land drops.
In essence, Sunken Citadel stands out among mana-fixing lands for assuring swift utility. This trait can prove crucial in decks that cannot afford a turn delay, thus demonstrating its strategic value in MTG’s complex mana landscapes.
Cards similar to Sunken Citadel by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sunken Citadel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Azorius Control | Standard | Azorius Control | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 |
 | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer League 2024-05-19 |
 | Izzet Indomitable Creativity | Pioneer | Izzet Indomitable Creativity | Pioneer League 2024-05-20 |
 | Mono-Black Coffers | Modern | Mono-Black Coffers | Modern Super Qualifier 2024-05-19 |
 | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer | Mono-Black Midrange | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-19 |
 | Mono-Black Discard | Pioneer | Mono-Black Discard | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-19 |
 | Jund Land Destruction | Pioneer | Jund Land Destruction | Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-05-19 |
 | WU | Pioneer | Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-05-19 (1) | |
 | Dimir Control | Standard | Dimir Control | Standard League 2024-05-19 |
| 4c Legends | Standard | 4c Legends | Standard Challenge 64 2024-05-19 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sunken Citadel has the potential to offer a substantial boost in card advantage over time. This is integral for players looking to sustain their resources and outmatch the opposition by having more options available to them throughout the match.
Resource Acceleration: As a land, Sunken Citadel contributes to resource acceleration by tapping for mana. It is especially valuable in decks that require specific color combinations as it can help in casting multicolored spells more efficiently, giving players the edge they need to deploy their strategies quicker.
Instant Speed: This card isn’t an instant itself; however, it enables instant speed interactions more smoothly. The mana it provides can be critical when you need to react swiftly to your opponents’ moves, letting you cast instants or activate abilities at the end of their turn to tip the scales in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sunken Citadel requires you to discard a card to activate its ability. This creates a scenario where your hand size is reduced, which can be particularly problematic when your options are already limited or you’re trying to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: While the land provides flexibility by generating one mana of any color, it initially taps only for blue mana. This restricts its immediate utility in multicolor decks that might need a different color on their first few turns, potentially disrupting early game strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The transform condition of Sunken Citadel necessitates a significant mana investment. You need to pay three and tap it, which can be quite high considering the late stage of the game when you’ve reached the mana threshold to enable transformation. This steep setup can deter players from including it in decks where tempo and efficient mana usage are crucial.
Reasons to Include Sunken Citadel in Your Collection
Versatility: Sunken Citadel isn’t just a land card; it’s a dual-purpose tool that can adapt to various deck builds. Providing both color fixing and a stepping stone towards larger plays, its adaptability is a key advantage for many strategies.
Combo Potential: Its dual mana accessibility opens up opportunities for intricate combos, making it a crucial piece in decks that aim to execute game-winning sequences. Seamless integration with cards that benefit from multi-color lands further solidifies its combo enabling capabilities.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, having a land that can smoothly transition between roles is vital. Sunken Citadel aligns well with decks that stay competitive, ensuring its relevance irrespective of shifting meta-contexts.
How to beat
Sunken Citadel has emerged as a notable card within risk and reward strategies in MTG. Striking a balance between land and spell, Sunken Citadel offers the versatility of mana with the potential to become a creature. However, overcoming this dual-threat requires a strategic approach. Efficient land destruction cards can prove instrumental in this task, as they remove the Citadel’s ability to provide mana without the need for direct creature confrontation.
Enchantment removal spells are also highly effective, as they can dispel any Auras that could transform Sunken Citadel into a more formidable threat. Additionally, instant-speed removal provides a security net against the Citadel’s creature transformation, allowing players to respond to the shift before attackers are declared. Lastly, counteracting with uncounterable spells or abilities that prevent your opponents from activating creature abilities denies Sunken Citadel the chance to become a creature, mitigating its utility on the board significantly. When these tactics are employed thoughtfully, the advantage Sunken Citadel could offer an opponent quickly diminishes.
Understanding how to disarm versatile cards like Sunken Citadel allows MTG players to navigate complex in-game scenarios, maintaining control and edging closer to victory against formidable decks that utilize such dynamic components.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sunken Citadel MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, 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 Sunken Citadel 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 Sunken Citadel Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Matteo Bassini.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 392 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matteo Bassini | |
| 2 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan | LCI | 285 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matteo Bassini |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sunken Citadel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sunken Citadel card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-11-10 | "Land sources" include any objects with the card type land. This means you could spend the mana to activate an ability of a land you control or a land card in your hand or graveyard, for example. |
| 2023-11-10 | You may spend the two mana added by the last ability on the same ability or on two different abilities. |