Sandsteppe Mastodon MTG Card
2015-01-23 - Number 137
2015-01-23 - Number 137s
2015-01-23 - Number 137
2002-06-24 - Number 55721
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elephant |
| Abilities | Bolster,Reach |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Key Takeaways
- Sandsteppe Mastodon bolsters upon entry, strategically enhancing board strength and creature robustness.
- Resource-dependent, its mana-costly nature necessitates strategic planning and deck synergy for optimal play.
- Despite the high mana cost, its potential to amplify and synergize with counter strategies warrants inclusion in specific decks.
Text of card
Reach When Sandsteppe Mastodon enters the battlefield, bolster 5. (Choose a creature with the least toughness among creatures you control and put five +1/+1 counters on it.)
A mastodon's path always leads to an oasis.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sandsteppe Mastodon comes with a built-in ability to bolster another one of your creatures, effectively letting you spread the value across your board. This can result in a significant boost in your creature’s power, making it harder for your opponent to maintain parity.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct ramp tool, the sheer size of Sandsteppe Mastodon at 5/5 can instantaneously create a formidable presence on the board. Its ability can also strengthen other key creatures which may allow them to survive longer and contribute more effectively to your resource management.
Instant Speed: While Sandsteppe Mastodon does not have an innate instant speed ability, its bolster effect upon entering the battlefield can be paired with flash enablers. This allows you to catch opponents off-guard by beefing up a creature potentially in the middle of combat or at the end of their turn, leading to unexpected and advantageous board states.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Sandsteppe Mastodon requires a sizable resource investment, and in some deck configurations, it may necessitate the discard of valuable hand cards to accommodate its heavy mana cost.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost demands five mana including two green. This specificity in its mana cost can restrict deck flexibility, especially in multicolored decks that may struggle with the double green mana requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven total mana cost, Sandsteppe Mastodon can be considered a mana-intensive play. Its place in a game is undoubtedly impactful, but there are more cost-efficient creatures or spells that may provide more immediate board presence or versatility.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sandsteppe Mastodon thrives in decks that capitalize on entering the battlefield effects or those looking to bolster their lineup with a sizable creature. Its ability to distribute a significant +1/+1 counter can turn the tides of a match by strengthening your weaker creatures or enhancing your already strong ones.
Combo Potential: This behemoth not only presents a considerable body on the field but can also synergize with strategies that revolve around counters. When paired with proliferate mechanics or cards that trigger on counter placement, Sandsteppe Mastodon becomes a central piece in a powerful combo.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where larger creatures are key to victory, including a card like Sandsteppe Mastodon can provide that extra edge. It’s particularly useful against decks that struggle to remove big threats or in metas where creature-based combat is prevalent.
How to beat Sandsteppe Mastodon
Overcoming a Sandsteppe Mastodon on the battlefield is a task that requires strategic finesse in Magic: The Gathering. This hefty creature from the Fate Reforged set not only boasts a significant body but also carries the potential to bolster another creature with its bolster 5 ability upon entering the battlefield. Dealing with this behemoth requires prompt removal or clever board tactics. Removal spells that can bypass its sizable toughness like Murderous Cut or Path to Exile are effective tools to remove the Mastodon from play before its presence becomes overwhelming.
Alternatively, countering this creature spell could prove to be the most efficient method. Utilizing counterspells such as Dissolve or Negate when your opponent casts Sandsteppe Mastodon can prevent its impact altogether. If the Mastodon does resolve, you could turn to board wipes like Crux of Fate or End Hostilities to reset the playing field. It’s important to have a plan for robust creatures and their amplifying effects, making instant-speed interactions or sweeping solutions key to maintaining control of the game.
Ultimately, the key to defeating this towering creature lies in a player’s preparedness to mitigate its entrance and quell its influence swiftly. Planning removal strategies and timing your counterspells can ensure that Sandsteppe Mastodon’s footsteps don’t leave a permanent imprint on the game.
Cards like Sandsteppe Mastodon
Sandsteppe Mastodon earns its place among the giants of Magic: The Gathering with its formidable presence on the battlefield. When eyed alongside other hefty creatures such as Craterhoof Behemoth, one can’t help but notice some parallels and distinctions. Craterhoof Behemoth, a beloved card by many, not only brings a massive body to the game but also instantly boosts your team, potentially turning a stable board into a winning one. Sandsteppe Mastodon doesn’t share this immediate impact, instead, it focuses on strength by permanently increasing another creature’s size with its bolster ability.
Examining Thunderfoot Baloth reveals another interesting comparison. Like Sandsteppe Mastodon, it’s a creature that significantly affects your other creatures, but the Baloth requires the liege condition to be met for it to energize your army. In contrast, Mastodon’s influence is guaranteed, if not as broadly spread. Lastly, comparing it with Verdurous Gearhulk, we notice the gearhulk’s modular distribution of +1/+1 counters. This flexibility could be more strategic, although Mastodon’s potential to create a single, much more powerful creature shouldn’t be underestimated.
Ultimately, Sandsteppe Mastodon stands out in its ability to swing games by not just adding a massive creature to your side but also empowering your existing forces, a trait making it a card worth considering for those building decks around large creatures and counter strategies.
Cards similar to Sandsteppe Mastodon by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sandsteppe Mastodon MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Fate Reforged Promos, 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 Sandsteppe Mastodon 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
Printings
The Sandsteppe Mastodon Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2015-01-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 55721 | 2015 | normal | black | Kev Walker | ||
| 2 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged Promos | PFRF | 137 | 2015 | normal | black | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged Promos | PFRF | 137s | 2015 | normal | black | James Zapata | |
| 4 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 137 | 2015 | normal | black | James Zapata |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sandsteppe Mastodon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sandsteppe Mastodon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | Bolster itself doesn’t target any creature, though some spells and abilities that bolster may have other effects that target creatures. For example, you could put counters on a creature with protection from white with Abzan Skycaptain’s bolster ability. |
| 2014-11-24 | You determine which creature to put counters on as the spell or ability that instructs you to bolster resolves. |
