Sphinx of Lost Truths MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Sphinx |
| Abilities | Flying,Kicker |
| Released | 2009-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Zendikar |
| Set code | ZEN |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 69 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | normal |
| Border | black |
| Illustred by | Shelly Wan |
Key Takeaways
- Provides major card advantage by drawing three cards when it enters the battlefield, impacting game strategy significantly.
- The card’s discard requirement can be a setback, potentially disrupting your hand and strategic plays.
- Versatile in various deck types, this Sphinx can fuel graveyard strategies and potent card combos.
Text of card
Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Flying When Sphinx of Lost Truths enters the battlefield, draw three cards. Then if it wasn't kicked, discard three cards.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sphinx of Lost Truths provides a robust advantage through its ability to let you draw three cards upon entering the battlefield. This influx of cards is vital for staying ahead in resources, especially when looking to execute your game plan or find answers to your opponent’s strategies.
Resource Acceleration: While the Sphinx itself doesn’t directly generate mana, the cards drawn can lead to faster resource development. Whether it’s landing an additional land drop or drawing into ramp spells, the Sphinx can indirectly contribute to accelerating your resources.
Instant Speed: While the Sphinx is not an instant itself, it synergises well with instant speed spells in your deck. Having this formidable flier on the board means any instant speed interaction you have becomes more threatening, allowing you to better control the pace of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sphinx of Lost Truths necessitates a discard of three cards once it lands on the battlefield. This mandatory action can set you back, especially if your hand is filled with key pieces you’re not willing to part with.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two blue mana as part of its casting cost, this card demands a significant commitment to a particular color. This can potentially restrict its inclusion in multicolor decks that may not have resources readily available to meet such specific mana demands.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five total mana, this creature’s cost is on the higher side when considering its on-cast effect. For players looking for quicker or more mana-efficient ways to draw cards, there are alternatives that could serve the purpose without consuming as much of your mana pool.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sphinx of Lost Truths serves as a flexible inclusion in many control or mid-range decks. Its ability to provide card advantage through its Kicker cost allows it to adapt to the current board state, making it a formidable choice for various game stages.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on drawing and discarding cards. With Sphinx of Lost Truths, you can fuel graveyard strategies or set up potent combos with other cards that thrive on card churn.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where knowledge is power, Sphinx of Lost Truths maintains relevance. Given its ability to refresh your hand and affect board presence, this sphinx remains a worthy addition to decks aiming to outmaneuver opponents in card advantage and board control.
How to beat
The Sphinx of Lost Truths is an intriguing creature card that can make a significant impact in Magic: The Gathering matches. Its knack for drawing cards while providing a flying threat makes it a valuable asset. Understanding how to effectively neutralize this Sphinx can be crucial for maintaining an advantage during play.
First and foremost, countering the Sphinx of Lost Truths as it’s cast is the most straightforward strategy. Utilize counter spells like Counterspell or Negate to ensure that this creature doesn’t hit the battlefield. If the Sphinx does make it onto the field, consider removal options. Instant-speed removal like Murder or Path to Exile can dispatch the Sphinx before its card draw ability triggers. Additionally, enchantments like Pacifism can neutralize the Sphinx without triggering its ‘when it dies’ ability.
Equally important is to manage graveyard manipulation. The Sphinx’s kicker ability can be a door to graveyard strategies, so using cards that exile the graveyard, such as Relic of Progenitus, can mitigate the advantage your opponent might gain. Ultimately, a well-rounded approach that includes counterspells, removal, and graveyard disruption can keep the Sphinx of Lost Truths from tilting the game in your opponent’s favor.
Cards like Sphinx of Lost Truths
Sphinx of Lost Truths is a unique creature with a strong entry effect in MTG, reminiscent of the card-drawing prowess shown by other Sphinxes in the game. A notable similar card is Consecrated Sphinx, which, instead of a one-time effect, has a potent triggered ability that allows a player to draw cards whenever an opponent does. The Consecrated Sphinx offers a sustained advantage in longer games, while Sphinx of Lost Truths provides an immediate impact with its card-drawing ability when it enters the battlefield.
Another comparison can be drawn with Argent Sphinx, which doesn’t directly draw cards but has the capability to blink out of existence and return for reusing any enter-the-battlefield effects. Though it lacks the up-front card-drawing ability of our featured Sphinx, this flexibility can be beneficial in the right deck.
In evaluating these options, Sphinx of Lost Truths certainly holds a respectable spot in MTG, especially for players keen on obtaining immediate card advantage and potentially setting up their graveyard for further strategic plays with its kicker cost. Each Sphinx provides its unique twist to the control and card advantage game, making Sphinx of Lost Truths a solid choice within this illustrious family.
Cards similar to Sphinx of Lost Truths by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sphinx of Lost Truths MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar, 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 Sphinx of Lost Truths and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Magic products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sphinx of Lost Truths has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sphinx of Lost Truths card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2009-10-01 | Sphinx of Lost Truths behaves differently than other cards with kicker. Its enters-the-battlefield ability always triggers, and it checks whether it *wasn't* kicked. The two possible results are as follows: -- When an unkicked Sphinx of Lost Truths enters the battlefield, you draw three cards, then discard three cards. -- When a kicked Sphinx of Lost Truths enters the battlefield, you draw three cards. |
