Sustainer of the Realm MTG Card
1999-02-15 - Number 23
2001-04-11 - Number 52★
2001-04-11 - Number 52
2009-04-10 - Number 8
2014-12-05 - Number 8
2017-11-17 - Number 35
2021-08-26 - Number 146
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Sustainer of the Realm blocks, it gets +0/+2 until end of turn.
"The harder you push, the stronger we become." —Radiant, to Urza
Cards like Sustainer of the Realm
Sustainer of the Realm holds a unique position in the realm of creature cards in Magic the Gathering. It bears resemblance to guardians such as Silver Drake, which also offers a flying ability to bypass ground-based defenses. However, Sustainer of the Realm is distinguished by its ability to grow stronger whenever it defends, increasing its power for each block made.
In the same category, there’s Dawnfeather Eagle, which not only flies but also buffs other creatures when it enters the battlefield. Although it lacks the self-empowering feature of the Sustainer of the Realm, it’s valued for its team-wide impact. Then we look at Aven Sentry, another flyer with similar statistics. While Aven Sentry stands firm at a static power and toughness, it misses out on the potential growth offered by the Sustainer of the Realm during combat.
Taking these comparisons into account, the Sustainer of the Realm is acknowledged for its defensive prowess and ability to become a more formidable blocker as the game progresses. This incremental advantage positions it as an intriguing choice for players seeking to strengthen their aerial defense in Magic the Gathering.
Cards similar to Sustainer of the Realm by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Sustainer of the Realm doesn’t draw cards directly, its flying ability allows it to remain a resilient defender and an offensive threat. In this way, it maintains field presence, saving resources commonly spent on board maintenance, thus indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of mana ramp, the Sustainer of the Realm’s 4 toughness ensures it is a consistent defender, potentially preserving life points and other valued permanents. This security allows players to focus resources on other game aspects, thus accelerating the deployment of high-impact cards.
Instant Speed: Sustainer of the Realm cannot be cast at instant speed, its existence on the battlefield may influence opponents to play differently, potentially causing them to wait on casting spells to avoid losing them in combat. This can provide a pseudo-tempo advantage as the opponent navigates around the Sustainer’s reactive capabilities during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sustainer of the Realm does not have a discard requirement, it can pose limitations in decks focused on card synergies where each hand card is crucial. Having no direct way to recoup the card loss from playing it can be a setback.
Specific Mana Cost: Casting Sustainer of the Realm demands a hybrid of white mana. This can tie up mana resources, hindering your ability to respond with other color spells during crucial phases of the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two generic and two white mana, Sustainer of the Realm has a steep curve compared to creatures with similar stat lines. In the current meta, lower cost creatures offer comparable or better abilities with greater impact early on.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sustainer of the Realm’s flying ability allows it to easily slide into varied deck archetypes, particularly those in need of strong airborne defenses or an offensive presence in the skies.
Combo Potential: As a creature with a notable role in life gain strategies, this card synergizes well within decks that capitalize on life total variations to trigger event-based effects or amplify creature capabilities.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where flying creatures are pivotal for board control, Sustainer of the Realm can prove to be a key element in maintaining dominance over the aerial battlefield.
How to beat
Sustainer of the Realm is known for blending beefy defense with the power to strike back. This angel synergizes well in decks that value flying creatures and look to control the combat stage. What sets the Sustainer apart is its unique ability to get stronger anytime it blocks, becoming a recurrent obstacle for your opponent’s attackers.
Overcoming this defensive powerhouse demands strategy. Removal spells are a straightforward solution – a card like Murder can dispatch the Sustainer without a fuss. Alternatively, pacifism effects or cards that neutralize abilities can bypass its strength gain altogether. Leveraging these strategies means understanding the value of timing and resource management, ensuring the Sustainer of the Realm doesn’t tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Additionally, enchantments that negate flying or combat tricks that bolster your creatures beyond the Sustainer’s reach can shift combat to your advantage. In essence, pinpointing the right moment and the right card to neutralize the Sustainer’s growing threat is key to claiming victory over a guardian that seems almost celestial in its staying power.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sustainer of the Realm MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Seventh Edition, 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 Sustainer of the Realm and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Sustainer of the Realm Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 23 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
| 2 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 52★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 3 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 52 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Zug | |
| 4 | 2009-04-10 | Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic | DDC | 8 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 5 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic | DVD | 8 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 6 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug | |
| 7 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 146 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Zug |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sustainer of the Realm has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sustainer of the Realm 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 | It gets the bonus only once, not once per creature it blocks. |