Synod Sanctum MTG Card

Mirrodin (MRD)
2003-10-02 - Number 252

Archenemy (ARC)
2010-06-18 - Number 120

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact

Key Takeaways

Synod Sanctum provides strategic protection for key permanents, crucial in metagames dominated by removal.
It can unexpectedly reintroduce exiled cards, fuelling surprise comebacks and combo plays.
The artifact’s instant speed activation enables complex strategic responses to opponents’ moves.

Text of card

, : Remove target permanent you control from the game. , Sacrifice Synod Sanctum: Return to play under your control all cards removed from the game with Synod Sanctum.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Synod Sanctum enables players to safeguard valuable permanents from removal, offering a strategic edge when navigating control-heavy metas.

Resource Acceleration: It efficiently redeploys saved resources, essentially skipping summoning sickness and offering an unexpected burst of board presence.

Instant Speed: This artifact’s ability can be activated anytime you have priority, which allows for tactical plays during the end step or in response to an opponent’s actions, keeping opponents guessing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Synod Sanctum’s activation necessitates exiling itself and returning all cards exiled with it to the battlefield under your control. This requirement can be a drawback when you need to keep your defenses up and cannot afford the tempo loss of removing your Sanctum from the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The card requires a specific mana investment for both playing and activating its ability. Being an artifact, it does need colorless mana, yet fitting it into a multicolored mana base can be tricky, particularly when you’re juggling a strategy that demands diverse color commitments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Synod Sanctum’s combined cost for casting and utilizing its ability can climb high. Investing three mana to potentially save a few of your cards might not always equate to value, especially in fast-paced games where lower-cost alternatives could allow you to advance your board state or protect your assets more efficiently.

Reasons to Include Synod Sanctum in Your Collection

Versatility: Synod Sanctum is a unique artifact that can be slipped into a variety of decks. Its ability to exile your own permanents and return them to the battlefield under your control later allows for crafty defensive maneuvers and surprise tactics.

Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in combos that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects or protect valued pieces from removal. It opens up interactions that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Synod Sanctum can become particularly potent in game environments where targeted removal is prevalent. Being able to protect your key permanents can give you a significant edge over opponents trying to disrupt your board state.

How to beat

Synod Sanctum is a unique artifact within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Its ability to exile cards momentarily and return them under your control when it leaves the battlefield can shift the tide of a game. When facing Synod Sanctum, timing is everything. As the card’s power hinges on the artifact’s presence on the battlefield, the most direct way to dismantle this strategy is through artifact destruction or exile effects immediately after important cards have been exiled with it, but before they can be retrieved.

Consider cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize that can interact directly and swiftly with troublesome artifacts. These instant-speed options are crucial, enabling players to respond even during an opponent’s turn before they have a chance to reap the benefits of Synod Sanctum. Another tactic is to apply pressure with aggressive creatures or strategies that outpace the setup time Synod Sanctum requires. In the end, efficiently managing resources and maintaining the ability to disrupt the artifact’s usage will often lead to overcoming the challenge it presents.

Ultimately, understanding and foreseeing the potential interactions and combos Synod Sanctum may aim to achieve guides players in crafting a strategy that not only preempts its advantages but can also turn its tactical nature against it, ensuring control of the game’s flow remains in their hands.

Cards like Synod Sanctum

Synod Sanctum holds a unique place in Magic: The Gathering as an artifact with the capability of exiling creatures. It draws parallels to other artifacts like Safe Haven, which similarly removes creatures from play for a period. Safe Haven, however, stores creatures until a later time, without providing the immediate return to the battlefield that Synod Sanctum offers upon activation.

Another artifact worth comparing is Voyager Staff. With a considerably lower cost, Voyager Staff grants a one-time use, immediate exile of any target creature until end of turn. Clever players can exploit this for various temporary defensive or offensive strategies. While Synod Sanctum requires a setup and investment to bring creatures back, the flexibility and permanence can be more impactful in the long game.

Looking at the competitive landscape of MTG, Synod Sanctum stands out with its longer-term strategic implications and the potential for protecting your valuable creatures from removal spells or harnessing ETB (Enter the Battlefield) effects repeatedly. Its strategic depth elevates it within the array of artifact options in Magic: The Gathering, catering to a more tactical and preservation-oriented gameplay.

Cards similar to Synod Sanctum by color, type and mana cost

Candelabra of Tawnos - MTG Card versions

Phyrexian Dreadnought - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Synod Sanctum MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Archenemy, 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 Synod Sanctum and other MTG cards: