Sanctum Prelate MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Sanctum Prelate is a pivotal control card, restricting opponents from casting spells of a chosen mana cost.
  2. It excels in adaptability, being valuable for decks aimed at thwarting specific strategies.
  3. However, it demands careful deck construction and strategy pivots due to its own constraints.

Text of card

As Sanctum Prelate enters the battlefield, choose a number. Noncreature spells with converted mana cost equal to the chosen number can't be cast.

"These halls are sacred. You *will* be silent."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sanctum Prelate shines in enabling you to dictate the flow of the game by choosing a critical mana cost and preventing opponents from casting spells of that cost. Not only does it disrupt opponents’ strategies, but it also carves a path for you to build your board unopposed.

Resource Acceleration: Despite Sanctum Prelate not directly providing mana acceleration, it indirectly accelerates your resources by conserving them; you save removal spells and counters for more pertinent threats, knowing that certain spells can’t be cast by your opponent.

Instant Speed: While Sanctum Prelate itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability affects the game akin to an omnipresent counterspell. It forces opponents to alter their game plan on the fly, potentially locking them out of crucial instants or denying them the opportunity to respond effectively to your strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Given that Sanctum Prelate’s shielding function is at its prime when specific spells are a threat, this can sometimes backfire. If your hand is forced to pivot strategies, having Sanctum Prelate on the field might mean you’re less adaptable without an easy way to discard and replace it.

Specific Mana Cost: Sanctum Prelate’s requirement for two white mana makes it a specialized card within MTG, potentially limiting deck building to those that can guarantee the white mana needed. This can create hurdles in multicolored mana bases where flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana including two whites, Sanctum Prelate comes at a higher cost when compared to other creatures with similar control effects. While its ability is strong, the mana investment could delay your game plan, especially if the targeted noncreature spells are not key to your opponent’s strategy in early game phases.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sanctum Prelate offers adaptable control, allowing you to name any nonland card number and preemptively shut down strategies reliant on those spells. This flexibility can be crucial in adapting to a variety of matchups.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Sanctum Prelate becomes a linchpin in locking down opponents. It pairs effectively with cards that protect it from removal, ensuring that your chosen number stays off limits for the duration of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by key spells at specific mana costs, Sanctum Prelate proves to be invaluable. Playing it effectively disrupts opponents’ strategies and gives you an upper hand, especially in formats where certain cards are consistently prevalent in decks.


How to beat Sanctum Prelate

Sanctum Prelate is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can cause quite the headache for opponents relying on noncreature spells. Its ability to choose a number and restrict any player from casting spells of the chosen converted mana cost can stall decks centered around key spells. To overcome this challenge, consider diversifying your deck with a mix of spells across different mana costs. By doing so, you reduce the impact of the Prelate’s restriction on your strategy.

An effective tactic is to employ instant-speed removal before the Prelate’s ability can resolve. This allows you to sidestep its choice of mana cost and clear the way for your spells. Alternatively, creatures with abilities that don’t rely on casting spells, such as activated or triggered abilities, can operate underneath the Prelate’s radar, providing you with a way to advance your board presence without casting spells that could be inhibited.

In summary, decks that can adapt to a range of mana costs, utilize instant-speed interactions, or leverage non-spell-based abilities stand a better chance against Sanctum Prelate, keeping your game plan flexible and capable of navigating around this challenging card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unlocking the full potential of your MTG deck involves tactical card selection and understanding of the metagame. Sanctum Prelate is a prime example of a card that offers control and strategic advantage. Adapt your strategies and maintain a competitive edge by incorporating cards that cater to your gameplay style. With the dynamic MTG landscape, having a card like Sanctum Prelate can significantly influence your matches. Dive deeper into the realms of strategic deck building and elevate your game. For insights into deck optimization and effective gameplay tactics, journey with us to discover more. Your next victorious match awaits!


Cards like Sanctum Prelate

Sanctum Prelate stands as a unique choice control element within Magic the Gathering. When closely examining other creatures that offer similar disruption capabilities, we draw parallels to cards like Thalia, Guardian of Thraben. Both cards exert pressure on the opponent’s spellcasting by either restricting or making certain spells more costly to cast. However, Sanctum Prelate allows for specific targeting by choosing an exact converted mana cost, unlike Thalia which impacts all noncreature spells across the board.

Another comparison is with Ethersworn Canonist, which also impacts spell flow but differs as it limits the number of nonartifact spells each player can cast to just one per turn. While Ethersworn Canonist affects all players and curbs the overall spell casting, Sanctum Prelate provides a pinpoint approach to shut down key spells that could turn the tide for an opponent. This pinpoint targeting can be more strategic in certain gameplay scenarios where neutralizing a particular set of spells is crucial.

The strategic benefit of being able to name any mana cost with Sanctum Prelate makes it a valuable card to consider for decks that focus on hindering specific opponent strategies. Its unique ability to shape the battlefield dynamics sets it apart from its counterparts in Magic the Gathering.

Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - MTG Card versions
Ethersworn Canonist - MTG Card versions
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Ethersworn Canonist - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sanctum Prelate MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Conspiracy: Take the Crown, 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 Sanctum Prelate and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sanctum Prelate Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-08-26 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 912071997normalblackMichael C. Hayes
22016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 232015normalblackWinona Nelson
32016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 112015normalblackWinona Nelson
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 2782015normalblackJohannes Voss
52021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 4911997normalblackMichael C. Hayes

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sanctum Prelate has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-08-23 Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a spell don't affect that spell's mana value.
2016-08-23 For spells with in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine if the spell's mana value is the chosen number. For example, if the chosen number is 4, a noncreature spell with mana cost couldn't be cast with X equal to 2, but it could be cast with X equal to any other number.

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