Licia, Sanguine Tribune MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire Soldier
Abilities First strike,Lifelink
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Licia’s cost reduction tied to life gain enables early deployment, gaining card advantage and board presence.
  2. Her synergy with life gain can rapidly increase her power, making her a formidable force in commander games.
  3. Despite a high base mana cost, strategic life gain and instant-speed plays can maximize Licia’s potential.

Text of card

This spell costs less to cast for each 1 life you gained this turn. First strike, lifelink Pay 5 life: Put three +1/+1 counters on Licia, Sanguine Tribune. Activate only during your turn and only once each turn.

"I give my blood, my life, all I have in exchange for victory."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Licia Sanguine Tribune’s unique ability to let you pay life to cast her for a reduced mana cost sets the stage for potential card advantage. By effectively converting life into a resource, you can maintain a full grip of other spells to play. As a commander, her recurrence from the command zone ensures you have a persistent threat your opponents must answer.

Resource Acceleration: Licia’s mechanics synergize well with strategies that gain life, allowing you to cast her earlier than other commanders with similar mana costs. This can result in a major resource acceleration as you’re able to deploy a powerful creature ahead of curve. Additionally, each instance of life gain post-deployment can increase her power, making her a potent force that accelerates your board state’s aggression.

Instant Speed: While Licia herself does not have flash, her ability to benefit from life gained at instant speed allows for strategic plays during your opponent’s turn. You can surprise an adversary by growing Licia out of nowhere, turning her into a formidable blocker or an unexpected threat ready to swing on your next turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Licia, Sanguine Tribune requires a steep payment of life points if you want to utilize her for a lower mana cost, which could put you at a significant risk against aggressive opponents.

Specific Mana Cost: Licia’s casting cost necessitates a specific combination of red, white, and black mana, which can make her difficult to play unless your deck is finely tuned to produce these colors reliably.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a base cost of eight mana, Licia can be a challenging play in the fast-paced game environment where efficiency is key. Other commanders could be cast and have an impact on the game board much sooner.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Licia, Sanguine Tribune’s flexible casting cost and life gain mechanics allow her to seamlessly integrate into a range of commander decks, making her a valuable asset in various play styles. Her potential to grow stronger as you gain life makes her an adaptable choice for any collection.

Combo Potential: Licia’s ability to capitalize on life gain for both power boosts and a cheaper casting cost offers numerous opportunities for synergies. She pairs exceptionally well with cards that allow multiple instances of life gain, escalating her threat level on the board rapidly.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where life gain strategies can dominate or disrupt, including Licia, Sanguine Tribune in your arsenal becomes strategic. As a commander who thrives on the life total flux, she can swiftly turn the tide of a game and withstand opponents’ strategies that target life totals.


How to beat

Licia, Sanguine Tribune is a unique commander in MTG with a formidable presence on the battlefield. Initially, handling this lifelink-equipped vampiric force might seem daunting, especially since she can grow stronger as your opponent gains life. However, the key is disruption. To effectively counter Licia, focus on timing your removal spells after life gain but before she can be cast. With this approach, you negate the cost reduction mechanic she benefits from.

Moreover, strategies including graveyard hate cards to prevent reanimation, or utilizing effects that restrict life gain can hinder Licia’s effectiveness. Notice that utilizing split second spells such as Sudden Spoiling can incapacitate Licia and her reinforcements, setting up a chance for you to take control. While Licia can be a resilient adversary, precision and a strategic dissemination of threats will ensure that the Sanguine Tribune does not rule the roost for long. Ultimately, a blend of preventive measures and well-timed intervention will safeguard your victory against this fearsome commander.

Despite Licia’s potential for immense power and synergy within a life-gain deck, a comprehensive plan to destabilize key moments of life gain and utilizing instant-speed interactions will keep her at bay and ensure your standing in the game remains secure.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping things up, Licia Sanguine Tribune represents a striking balance between challenge and reward, making her a formidable pick for MTG enthusiasts keen on weaving life gain into a victory strategy. If you’re inclined to tilt the scales of combat in your favor, mastering her mechanics could be a thrilling endeavor. Consider integrating her into your deck to capitalize on unexpected synergies and craft exhilarating comebacks. For players aspiring to harness the power of life as a resource, Licia offers a gateway to a resilient and adaptable gameplay approach. Deepen your commander know-how and diversify your collection by giving Licia Sanguine Tribune the spotlight she deserves.


Cards like Licia, Sanguine Tribune

Licia, Sanguine Tribune holds a unique position among legendary creatures in the realm of Commander. This card requires a strategic setup with her life gain contingent casting cost, reminiscent of cards like Serra Ascendant which also grows stronger as you increase your life total. However, unlike Serra Ascendant’s static ability, Licia offers a dynamic playstyle with her ability to gain life while simultaneously growing more formidable in combat.

Olivia Voldaren is another vampire legend with a strong presence in decks that focus on controlling the board. While she lacks the life-based mechanics, her ability to steal creatures provides a different kind of tactical advantage. On the subject of life manipulation, Karlov of the Ghost Council also provides intriguing gameplay, gaining power from life gain events but focusing instead on removing opponents’ threats. The card contrasts Licia’s aggressive tactics with a more defensive stature.

Licia, Sanguine Tribune excels in an environment where aggressive life gain strategies can be successfully executed. With her cost-reduction ability based on life gained, she can enter the battlefield much earlier than her initial cost suggests, offering an unparalleled combination of size, speed, and life-based synergy in MTG.

Serra Ascendant - MTG Card versions
Olivia Voldaren - MTG Card versions
Karlov of the Ghost Council - MTG Card versions
Serra Ascendant - MTG Card versions
Olivia Voldaren - MTG Card versions
Karlov of the Ghost Council - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Licia, Sanguine Tribune MTG card by a specific set like Treasure Chest and Commander 2017, 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 Licia, Sanguine Tribune and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Licia, Sanguine Tribune Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-11-16 and 2017-08-25. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 657292015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
22017-08-25Commander 2017C17 402015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Licia, Sanguine Tribune has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Licia, Sanguine Tribune card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-08-25 If Licia’s last ability doesn’t resolve once activated, it can’t be activated again in the same turn.
2017-08-25 Licia’s first ability checks how much life you’ve gained during the turn, not what your life total is compared to what it was when the turn began. For example, if you start the turn at 30 life, gain 6 life during the turn, then lose 10 life later that turn, Licia still costs less to cast.
2017-08-25 Licia’s first ability reduces only generic mana in its cost. It can’t reduce the cost below .
2017-08-25 To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying, add any cost increases (such as the “commander tax”), then apply any cost reductions. The converted mana cost of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.

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