Sandskin MTG Card


Sandskin - Onslaught
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant
Released2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set nameOnslaught
Set codeONS
Number52
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byGlen Angus

Key Takeaways

  1. Sandskin’s instant speed casting and damage prevention boosts tactical gameplay and creature protection.
  2. Though offering defensive utility, its discard requirement and mana cost must be strategically managed.
  3. Encompassing versatility and meta-relevance, Sandskin is a valuable addition for selective MTG decks.

Text of card

Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by enchanted creature.

"Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. I choose to do neither."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sandskin provides a tactical edge by negating the destructive capabilities of your opponent’s creatures. It proactively neutralizes threats without the need to expend multiple cards, helping preserve your hand while restraining enemy forces.

Resource Acceleration: Although Sandskin itself does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, it can indirectly maintain your mana efficiency by protecting valuable creatures on your board, thus potentially saving resources that would have been spent on reviving or replacing them.

Instant Speed: With the ability to cast Sandskin at instant speed, it becomes a versatile tool in your arsenal. It enables you to surprise an opponent with a last-minute combat trick or during their end step, keeping up the tempo and making the most of your mana during each turn cycle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sandskin demands you discard a card, which might deplete key hand resources and hinder long-term strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This spell requires a precise mix of mana, potentially complicating its inclusion in multi-colored or mana-intensive decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost that might be considered steep for its defensive utility, Sandskin may be less favorable compared with other lower-cost options that provide similar benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sandskin fits well into defensive strategies and can neutralize threats across various matchups. Its ability to prevent damage to a creature lends itself to numerous deck builds.

Combo Potential: As an enchantment with a simple yet impactful ability, Sandskin can combine with cards that benefit from enchantment synergies or those that thrive on keeping key creatures alive.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment with heavy combat interaction, Sandskin’s capacity to protect your creatures can ensure your board presence remains unchallenged and can turn the tides in creature-heavy metas.


How to beat

Sandskin is one of those MTG cards that can seem like a tough barrier to overcome in a match. With its ability to prevent damage to a creature, it has the potential to thwart your aggressive strategies and prolong your opponent’s defenses. To tackle Sandskin, your best bet is to shift your approach by using removal spells that bypass its protective effect. Rather than trying to deal damage, consider spells or abilities that force a sacrifice or exile the creature outright. Enchantment removal can also come in handy, enabling you to remove Sandskin directly from the battlefield and open up your path to victory.

Moreover, adjusting your game to outpace the upkeep cost of Sandskin could be another strategy. Since the card’s upkeep cost requires a land to be tapped, players using it might fall behind in mana development, giving you an advantage that you could exploit by playing more efficiently. In summary, Sandskin might seem daunting at first glance, but with the right adjustments and card choices, you can navigate past its defenses and lead your deck to success.


Cards like Sandskin

Sandskin is one of those niche cards in Magic: The Gathering that offers players a unique tactical advantage. It’s in close kinship with cards like Pacifism, which also restrict an opponent’s creature without removing it from the battlefield. Both cards excel in neutralizing threats without having to resort to direct destruction. Sandskin, however, allows for a more defensive play by preventing all damage a creature would deal, not just stopping it from attacking or blocking like Pacifism does.

Another card that shares some similarities with Sandskin is Arrest. Arrest also binds a creature from causing trouble, though it takes a more controlling approach by completely disabling the creature’s activated abilities. While not as broad in scope as Sandskin, which blankets all damage types, Arrest shuts down abilities that could be pivotal in an opponent’s strategy.

Overall, Sandskin provides a unique flavor of control within Magic: The Gathering, catering to strategies that prefer to keep potential threats alive, possibly for further manipulation or as a political tool, while other options present more direct ways to deal with creatures.

Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - Mirage (MIR)
Arrest - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)

Cards similar to Sandskin by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - Antiquities (ATQ)
Farmstead - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Cooperation - Ice Age (ICE)
Noble Steeds - Alliances (ALL)
Aura of Silence - Commander 2015 (C15)
Empyrial Armor - Weatherlight (WTH)
Cessation - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Arrest - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Glorious Anthem - Junior Super Series (PSUS)
Samite Sanctuary - Prophecy (PCY)
Pariah - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Tattoo Ward - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparring Regimen - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Shielded by Faith - Signature Spellbook: Gideon (SS2)
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Oblivion Ring - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Cage of Hands - Commander Legends (CMR)
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - The List (PLST)
Guardian's Magemark - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Celestial Dawn - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sandskin MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Sandskin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sandskin has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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