Serra Sphinx MTG Card

Planar Chaos (PLC)
2007-02-02 - Number 62

Double Masters (2XM)
2020-08-07 - Number 68

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Sphinx
Abilities	Flying, Vigilance
Power	4
Toughness	4

Key Takeaways

Serra Sphinx offers consistent aerial pressure that can indirectly lead to a card advantage for the player.
Its synergy with mana acceleration highlights its efficient use of additional resources to dominate the game.
The Sphinx fits seamlessly into blue’s instant-speed strategy, enhancing the deck’s overall threat level.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Flying, vigilance

Sphinxes drink from the mystic meres of Serra's realm, where their keen eyes watch reflections of what is and what is yet to come.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Serra Sphinx may not directly draw cards, but its presence on the battlefield represents a durable aerial threat that requires an answer from your opponent. The opportunity to consistently apply pressure and force reactions can indirectly translate to card advantage as your opponent spends resources attempting to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: While Serra Sphinx doesn’t accelerate your mana resources on its own, it synergizes well with cards that do. It’s a creature that efficiently benefits from any additional mana you can generate, allowing you to solidify your board presence more effectively.

Instant Speed: Serra Sphinx itself might not have instant speed capabilities, but being a blue card, it slots into a color that has myriad instant-speed interactions. By playing Serra Sphinx, you encourage a game state where holding up mana for potential countermagic or flash plays remains a credible threat. This deters opponents from committing fully to their strategies, while you develop a powerful creature on the board.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not directly applicable to Serra Sphinx, it is important to remember that any requirement to discard can lead to difficult decisions, especially when every card in hand is potentially valuable.

Specific Mana Cost: Serra Sphinx necessitates a strictly blue mana cost, requiring two islands to play. This can be somewhat restrictive, as it demands a significant commitment to blue mana sources within a player’s deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana in total and two of those being exclusively blue, the Serra Sphinx sits at a point on the mana curve where players might prefer other creatures or spells that provide immediate impact or more powerful abilities relative to their cost.

Reasons to Include Serra Sphinx in Your Collection

Versatility: Serra Sphinx offers a resilient flying body that fits well into blue-based control and midrange decks. Its robust defensive stats help maintain air superiority, making it a solid choice in multiple archetypes.

Combo Potential: As a Sphinx, it can be part of tribal synergies or work with cards that care about flying creatures. Its ability to withstand common damage spells also allows it to stay on the board and participate in various combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where controlling the skies is crucial, Serra Sphinx’s flying and sturdy toughness make it a competitive choice. It can block most attackers and survive, helping it to remain relevant in shifting metagames.

How to Beat Serra Sphinx

The Serra Sphinx is a notable figure in the realm of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its stats mirror that of the esteemed Serra Angel, a powerful card known for vigilant flying. However, unlike Serra Angel, the Serra Sphinx does not have vigilance, which offers a tactical advantage to opponents. Leveraging this slight vulnerability can be crucial in overcoming this creature in a match.

One strategic approach is to utilize cards that restrict the Sphinx’s aerial superiority. Ground-based creatures may be at a disadvantage, but introducing spells that can either tap, deal damage, or provide reach to your creatures can tip the balance. Also, don’t underestimate the power of removal spells. Instant-speed removals can take the Serra Sphinx out before it can affect the game, thus preserving your life total and board presence.

Further, exploiting the times when Serra Sphinx is tapped can be highly effective. Since it doesn’t have vigilance, this gives you an opening during your turn to advance your board state or attack safely. Utilizing this window strategically can ensure you maintain the upper hand against decks wielding this majestic but beatable blue creature.

Cards like Serra Sphinx

Serra Sphinx is a card that carves out its niche in the MTG universe as a solid blue flying creature. Within its category, it shares several characteristics with the iconic Serra Angel. Both have vigilance and flying, allowing them to attack without tapping, which can be pivotal during matches. Unlike Serra Angel, Serra Sphinx is blue and trades the angel creature type for sphinx, which opens different synergy possibilities within a sphinx-themed deck.

The Azorius Flyers archetype has cards like Archon of Sun’s Grace that also fly and offer lifelink on top of creating Pegasus creatures under certain conditions. While Serra Sphinx doesn’t create tokens or have lifelink, it’s the reliability of a 4/4 flyer with vigilance for just four mana that gives it a valued spot in decks focused on controlling the skies.

Analyzing the playing field, Serra Sphinx presents a compelling option for blue-centric strategies that benefits from its firm defensive and offensive stance. It holds its own when compared to other creatures in its mana range, defining its role as a steadfast guardian for any MTG player who commands the skies with tactical precision.

Archon of Sun's Grace - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Serra Sphinx MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Double Masters, 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 Serra Sphinx and other MTG cards: