Sweet-Gum Recluse MTG Card
2020-11-20 - Number 260
2020-11-20 - Number 685
2022-06-10 - Number 835
2002-06-24 - Number 86014
Text of card
Flash Cascade Reach When Sweet-Gum Recluse enters the battlefield, put three +1/+1 counters on each of any number of target creatures that entered the battlefield this turn.
Cards like Sweet-Gum Recluse
Sweet-Gum Recluse stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile creature card. With parallels to other arachnid-themed cards like Arachnogenesis, which also creates spider tokens and potentially fogs an opponent’s attack. However, Sweet-Gum Recluse goes a step further by self-enhancing every time it cascades, growing its power with each spell cast before it in the same turn.
Another card that draws a comparison is Ishkanah, Grafwidow. While both belong to the spider family and revolve around creating spider tokens, Ishkanah’s strength lies in its delirium ability. On the other hand, Sweet-Gum Recluse does not rely on the graveyard to exhibit its power and versatility on the battlefield. Then there’s the card Penumbra Spider, offering a different kind of resilience by spawning a copy of itself upon death.
When considering the uniqueness of the flash ability and the cascading self-buffing mechanic, Sweet-Gum Recluse secures a distinctive position among green creature cards. It gives players instant speed interaction coupled with the potential for overwhelming board presence, making it an intriguing option for MTG enthusiasts valuing sudden impact and tactical creature growth.
Cards similar to Sweet-Gum Recluse by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sweet-Gum Recluse. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Creative Technique | Legacy | Creative Technique | Legacy League 2023-12-02 |
| Mississippi River | Legacy | Creative Technique | 2023 Asia Legacy Championship |
 | Naya Midrange | Legacy | MO82#CS | |
| Temur Cascade | Legacy | Creative Technique | 2023 Asia Legacy Championship |
| Colorless Belcher | Legacy | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Legacy Mainevent | |
| URG | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 32 2023-11-11 | |
| Temur Combo | Legacy | Weekly Legacy |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sweet-Gum Recluse swings the momentum in your favor by allowing for multiple card interactions. When it enters the battlefield, cascade triggers – a potent ability that could potentially reveal another powerful spell to cast without paying its mana cost, enhancing your hand and options on the battlefield without additional resource investment.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the cascade effect can indirectly accelerate your resources. By potentially casting a high-cost card for free, you effectively gain that card’s mana cost in resources, which can be a significant tempo swing.
Instant Speed: The flash mechanic means Sweet-Gum Recluse can be cast at instant speed, creating the perfect surprise blocker or end-of-turn threat. This flexibility ensures you’re not just reacting during your own turn but can adapt and counteract your opponent’s moves even when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Sweet-Gum Recluse doesn’t demand a discard upon casting, it does require a strategic setup in your deck to fully utilize its cascade ability. Without proper deck construction, you may end up cascading into less impactful cards, reducing its overall effectiveness in game play.
Specific Mana Cost: Sweet-Gum Recluse calls for a specific mana combination to cast, including two green mana, which may limit its integration to green-centric or multicolor decks. Players without a mana base supportive of green may find it challenging to incorporate this card into their strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the creature provides a significant board presence and potential for cascading into other spells, the six mana cost to cast can be hefty. In certain situations, especially in faster-paced games, players may prefer cards with lower mana costs that allow for swifter, more immediate impact on the board state.
Reasons to Include Sweet-Gum Recluse in Your Collection
Versatility: Sweet-Gum Recluse can adapt to different gameplay situations with its flash ability, allowing you to surprise opponents during their turn. Its ability to add counters to creatures is also beneficial in decks that focus on proliferate mechanics or +1/+1 counter synergies.
Combo Potential: This spider works well in strategies that capitalize on having creatures with counters. It can combo with cards that give benefits for each counter on the battlefield, such as increasing creature size or triggering abilities when counters are placed.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based combat is prevalent, Sweet-Gum Recluse can serve as an unexpected line of defense while simultaneously enhancing your board presence with its cascade trigger, potentially shifting the game in your favor.
How to beat
The challenge presented by Sweet-Gum Recluse in Magic: The Gathering is its flash ability, enabling it to surprise opponents as both a blocker and a potent force when cascading. This card can suddenly strengthen your battlefield, but there are strategies to counter it effectively. One method includes utilizing instant-speed removal spells that can target the Recluse before its cascade trigger resolves, minimizing the impact of its entry.
Moreover, keeping a watchful eye on the mana your opponent has available can hint at the possibility of a Sweet-Gum Recluse appearance. Board wipes are particularly effective, as they can reset the playing field irrespective of the Recluse’s cascading effects. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation don’t discriminate and will remove Sweet-Gum Recluse along with other creatures on the board. Counter-spells also shine against the Recluse, completely negating its effect and denying the cascade.
Lastly, though it’s a formidable card, Sweet-Gum Recluse is less effective on an empty board. Therefore, managing the number of creatures on the battlefield can mitigate its impact. By understanding and anticipating this gameplay strategy, players can ensure a tactical advantage over the multi-legged creature of the forest.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sweet-Gum Recluse MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander Legends, 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 Sweet-Gum Recluse and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
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- MTG Mint Card
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Sweet-Gum Recluse Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by Jehan Choo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 86014 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jehan Choo | ||
| 2 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 260 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jehan Choo | |
| 3 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 685 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jehan Choo | |
| 4 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 835 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jehan Choo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sweet-Gum Recluse has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sweet-Gum Recluse card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-11-10 | A permanent that wasn't a creature as it entered the battlefield this turn but is currently a creature can be chosen as a target of Sweet-Gum Recluse's last ability. |
| 2021-06-18 | A spell's mana value is determined only by its mana cost. Ignore any alternative costs, additional costs, cost increases, or cost reductions. |
| 2021-06-18 | Cascade triggers when you cast the spell, meaning that it resolves before that spell. If you end up casting the exiled card, it will go on the stack above the spell with cascade. |
| 2021-06-18 | Due to a 2021 rules change to cascade, not only do you stop exiling cards if you exile a nonland card with lesser mana value than the spell with cascade, but the resulting spell you cast must also have lesser mana value. Previously, in cases where a card's mana value differed from the resulting spell, such as with some modal double-faced cards or cards with an Adventure, you could cast a spell with a higher mana value than the exiled card. |
| 2021-06-18 | If a spell with cascade is countered, the cascade ability will still resolve normally. |
| 2021-06-18 | If the card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost. |
| 2021-06-18 | If you cast a card "without paying its mana cost," you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those to cast the card. |
| 2021-06-18 | The mana value of a split card is determined by the combined mana cost of its two halves. If cascade allows you to cast a split card, you may cast either half but not both halves. |
| 2021-06-18 | When the cascade ability resolves, you must exile cards. The only optional part of the ability is whether or not you cast the last card exiled. |
| 2021-06-18 | You exile the cards face up. All players will be able to see them. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.