Sarkhan the Masterless MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Sarkhan
Loyalty 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Creates a 4/4 dragon token for board advantage, adding substantial pressure and presence in the game.
  2. Transforms planeswalkers into dragons to escalate threats and forces opponents to deplete their resources.
  3. Instantly impacts the game upon casting, providing strategic advantages with his immediate board presence.

Text of card

Whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, each Dragon you control deals 1 damage to that creature.
+1: Until end of turn, each planeswalker you control becomes a 4/4 red Dragon creature and gains flying.
-3: Create a 4/4 red Dragon creature token with flying.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sarkhan the Masterless’s ability to create a 4/4 Dragon creature token with flying not only provides a solid defense but also boosts your offensive potential, effectively swinging the balance of the game in your favor. With each Dragon you summon, you gain a strategic edge through board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Sarkhan himself does not directly accelerate resources, his passive ability scales your power level substantially by transforming all Planeswalkers into Dragons with his +1 ability. This can rapidly escalate the threat level on the board, forcing opponents to deal with multiple threats and expending resources to handle them.

Instant Speed: Sarkhan’s -3 ability allows for an instant impact on the board the moment you deploy him from your hand. This immediate effect can catch opponents off guard, especially in the mid to late game where instant-speed threats can pivot the course of a match decisively.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sarkhan the Masterless requires a commitment to dragon-themed decks to fully optimize his abilities. This can lead to predictable strategies that opponents can easily counter, especially when your deck revolves around his dragon synergies.

Specific Mana Cost: His casting cost demands a specific combination of red and other colors, which can be restrictive. Players need to construct their mana base carefully to accommodate his red-heavy requirement, potentially limiting deck diversity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three which are red, Sarkhan the Masterless can be challenging to play in the early game. There are other planeswalkers and impactful cards with lower mana costs that can be cast sooner, giving the opponent less time to prepare a response.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sarkhan the Masterless can adapt to multiple deck strategies, serving as a powerful planeswalker that can turn other planeswalkers into potent dragons or bolster your defenses with a formidable dragon each turn.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to create dragon tokens synergizes well with decks that capitalize on flying creatures or strategies that benefit from dragon tribal themes, enabling diverse tactical combinations.

Meta-Relevance: With its capacity to affect the board by transforming static planeswalkers into aggressive creatures, Sarkhan the Masterless remains relevant in a metagame that values dynamic play and board presence.


How to Beat Sarkhan the Masterless

Sarkhan the Masterless stands as a formidable planeswalker in MTG, with the unique ability to turn all other planeswalkers into Dragons. This dragon-centric ability not only pressures the board but also solidifies Sarkhan’s dominance in creature-focused matchups. Yet, overcoming this card requires strategic maneuvering and the right counters.

To effectively challenge Sarkhan, direct damage spells like Shock or Murderous Rider’s Swift End ability can be pivotal, since they can eliminate Sarkhan before he accumulates loyalty or even fatefully “dragons” up the battlefield. Enchantment-based removal such as Prison Realm also prove effective as they bypass the protection provided by any new draconic creatures. There’s also the potential for counterplay with cards that prevent abilities from activating, like Pithing Needle, or simply using board wipes such as Shatter the Sky to reset the entire scenario.

Furthermore, understanding the pivotal moments to disrupt your opponent’s strategy, perhaps by forcing them to overcommit before sweeping the board, can turn the tides of battle. With precise timing and the proper arsenal, Sarkhan the Masterless can be rendered just another bump on the road to victory in any game of MTG.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the complexities of the MTG battlefield is crucial, particularly when navigating the skies with a card like Sarkhan the Masterless. This planeswalker can alter the dynamics of play, creating formidable dragon tokens that demand attention. Knowing when to utilize his abilities and structuring your deck to support dragon themes can give you a significant advantage. For those looking to enhance their gameplay and embrace the power of dragons, delve into the multifaceted world of MTG strategy with us. Optimize your deck, explore new tactics, and discover how cards like Sarkhan can elevate your gameplay experience. Learn more on how to harness the true potential of your MTG collection with us.


Cards like Sarkhan the Masterless

Sarkhan the Masterless is a dynamic planeswalker card in MTG that is adept at elevating dragon-themed decks. When examining cards akin to Sarkhan, Dragonmaster Outcast comes to mind. Both share the dragon synergy, yet Dragonmaster Outcast functions differently with the ability to create dragon creature tokens under specific circumstances. Although not a planeswalker, the card steadily bolsters your board presence with potent creatures.

Reflecting on alternative planeswalkers, Chandra, Flamecaller shares some resemblance, offering a way to deal with multiple enemies simultaneously with her sweeping ability. However, Sarkhan the Masterless is uniquely equipped with the skill to turn all planeswalkers into dragons, a strategic move that can turn the tide of the game. Its unprecedented transformation ability distinguishes it from Chandra’s strategy of direct damage.

Delving into card utility and strategic flexibility, Sarkhan the Masterless holds a distinctive position in the MTG planeswalker hierarchy. It leverages dragon synergies and transcends mere creature production, showcasing a blend of offense and defense in dragon-heavy environments. As a result, Sarkhan has etched a niche within the versatile planeswalker landscape of MTG.

Dragonmaster Outcast - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Flamecaller - MTG Card versions
Dragonmaster Outcast - Worldwake (WWK)
Chandra, Flamecaller - Oath of the Gatewatch Promos (POGW)

Cards similar to Sarkhan the Masterless by color, type and mana cost

Jaya, Venerated Firemage - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Heart of Fire - MTG Card versions
Lukka, Coppercoat Outcast - MTG Card versions
Chandra Nalaar - MTG Card versions
Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker - MTG Card versions
Jaya Ballard - MTG Card versions
Rowan, Fearless Sparkmage - MTG Card versions
Chandra Nalaar // Chandra Nalaar - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Legacy of Fire - MTG Card versions
Jaya, Venerated Firemage - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Chandra, Heart of Fire - Core Set 2021 Promos (PM21)
Lukka, Coppercoat Outcast - The List (PLST)
Chandra Nalaar - The List (PLST)
Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Jaya Ballard - Commander 2021 (C21)
Rowan, Fearless Sparkmage - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Chandra Nalaar // Chandra Nalaar - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Chandra, Legacy of Fire - Commander Masters (CMM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sarkhan the Masterless MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online 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 Sarkhan the Masterless and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sarkhan the Masterless Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 779912015normalblackKieran Yanner
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 722572015normalblackLack
32019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 1432015normalblackKieran Yanner
42019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 143★2015normalblackLack
52019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 143s★2015normalblackLack
62019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 143s2015normalblackKieran Yanner
72019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 5142015normalblackKieran Yanner
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8802015normalblackKieran Yanner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sarkhan the Masterless has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-05-03 A planeswalker that becomes a creature due to Sarkhan’s first loyalty ability can’t attack unless you’ve controlled it continuously since your turn began.
2019-05-03 Once Sarkhan’s first loyalty ability has resolved, each planeswalker you control (including Sarkhan) is no longer a planeswalker for the rest of the turn. They don’t lose any loyalty counters or abilities, and you can still activate their loyalty abilities if you haven’t done so yet this turn. They don’t lose loyalty if they’re dealt damage while they’re not planeswalkers.

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