Sustenance MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Number | 278 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Qiao Dafu |
Text of card
o1, Sacrifice a land: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
Like the dryads, the forest itself willingly gives up some of its life for the sake of the future.
Cards like Sustenance
Sustenance joins the suite of life-gain enchantments in Magic: The Gathering, offering a recurring way to pad your life total. It draws parallels to cards like Sun Droplet, which also provides incremental life increases. However, Sustenance stands out by converting each card drawn into life gain, perfect for decks heavy on card draw mechanics.
Looking towards a card such as Fountain of Renewal, there’s a noticeable difference in speed and condition. Fountain of Renewal gives you life at the beginning of your upkeep, guaranteeing a regular boost. Sustenance, on the other hand, is more variable and synergistic, potentially offering more life gain dependent on your playstyle and deck construction.
Lastly, there’s Pristine Talisman, which offers the dual advantage of mana acceleration and life gain. Unlike Sustenance, the Talisman actively contributes to your mana pool while also inching your life upward. Nevertheless, Sustenance can shine in the right setting, especially within decks that are aligned to draw multiple cards turn after turn.
The choice between these cards can heavily depend on the overall strategy of your MTG deck. If you’re building a deck that thrives on card draw, Sustenance could very well be the staple for maintaining a high life total throughout the game.
Cards similar to Sustenance by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sustenance ensures you’re never falling behind in the card race, as it efficiently helps refill your hand, keeping your options diverse and your strategy unpredictable.
Resource Acceleration: This card actively contributes to your resource pool, giving you an edge by facilitating faster deployment of your threats or better utilization of your answers, ensuring that you stay ahead of the game tempo.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Sustenance at instant speed offers extraordinary flexibility, permitting you to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield while keeping your adversaries guessing about your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sustenance mandates you to part with another card from your hand, which could put you at a disadvantage during crucial moments, especially when your options are already few.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s demand for green mana may not align with multicolored strategies or decks that are not heavily forest-inclined, potentially limiting its overall utility and flexibility in diverse playstyles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of three mana to cast, Sustenance enters a competitive slot where other cards might provide more impact or immediate board presence, possibly making it a less attractive option in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include Sustenance in Your Collection
Versatility: Sustenance offers a valuable tool for decks needing life gain and enchantment synergy. It seamlessly fits into strategies revolving around survival and incremental advantages.
Combo Potential: This card works wonders in engines that capitalize on life gain triggers, potentially unlocking powerful interactions and bolstering your win conditions.
Meta-Relevance: With aggressive and burn strategies often present, Sustenance can provide a crucial buffer to your life total, increasing your deck’s resilience in a competitive environment.
How to beat
Sustenance is a unique card that can pose a challenge on the battlefield. This card complements strategies that bolster life totals while simultaneously discouraging opponents through life depletion. To effectively counter Sustenance, consider incorporating removal spells into your deck. Direct damage spells or targeted removal options enable you to eliminate key creatures that synergize with life gain and life drain effects. Artifact destruction can also be helpful, targeting any equipments or enhancements that may amplify Sustenance’s impact.
Another tactic involves using counterspells to prevent Sustenance from ever hitting the board. Having a steady stream of counterspells at the ready can shut down not only Sustenance but other pivotal cards in your opponent’s strategy as well. Additionally, maintaining a faster pace with an aggressive deck can overpower a Sustenance-based deck before it establishes control. Speed and pressure are essential in outpacing the incremental advantages that Sustenance offers. Lastly, including cards in your deck that negate life gain or punish life gain strategies could turn the tide against a deck relying on Sustenance’s mechanics.
When facing Sustenance, a multifaceted approach using removal, counterspells, aggression, and strategic counters can ensure victory. Stay ahead of the game by thwarting your opponent’s attempts to use Sustenance as a linchpin for their deck’s success.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sustenance MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Sustenance 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sustenance has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |