Daru Sanctifier MTG Card


Daru Sanctifier - Legions
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Abilities Morph
Released2003-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameLegions
Set codeLGN
Power 1
Toughness 4
Number9
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byTony Szczudlo

Key Takeaways

  1. The card offers instant speed enchantment removal, providing a dynamic response during critical gameplay moments.
  2. It requires discarding a card to activate, which can hinder your hand if not managed carefully.
  3. Versatile in various decks, its enchantment disruption makes it valuable in a meta filled with enchantments.

Text of card

Morph (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for . Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When Daru Sanctifier is turned face up, destroy target enchantment.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Daru Sanctifier offers players the ability to potentially remove an enchantment, which may result in a one-for-one trade, maintaining or tipping the scale of card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly impacting mana, Daru Sanctifier’s ability to interact with the board can free up resources otherwise spent on dealing with problematic enchantments, indirectly accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: The crucial ability of this card to be activated at instant speed gives players the flexibility to respond to threats or actions during an opponent’s turn, which can be pivotal in shifting the momentum of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For some players, Daru Sanctifier could represent a potential downside as it requires discarding another card to activate its ability. Those moments when your hand is all too precious can make the discard cost seem steep, potentially setting you back in the game, especially if your strategic resources are already running low.

Specific Mana Cost: Daru Sanctifier calls for a very exact mana combination to cast, demanding both white and generic mana. This specific cost can sometimes clash with the mana curve in a player’s deck, particularly in multicolored builds where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that some may find on the higher side for its effects, Daru Sanctifier could be considered less efficient compared to other options in the meta. This can be particularly true when comparing it to creatures of similar cost that bring potentially more impactful abilities or those that fit more seamlessly into a broader range of strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Daru Sanctifier offers utility in numerous deck archetypes, particularly those geared towards life-gain, damage prevention, or Cleric synergies, enhancing the resilience of such builds.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to target enchantments adds a layer of strategy when combined with cards that benefit from enchantment removal or when used as a defensive maneuver within intricate board states.

Meta-Relevance: As enchantments continue to play a significant role in the game, having Daru Sanctifier in your collection becomes crucial for disrupting opponent strategies and maintaining a competitive edge.


How to beat

Daru Sanctifier is one of those cards in Magic the Gathering that demands a specific strategy to overcome. As a creature that can shield itself with protection from enchantments, it poses a real challenge for decks that heavily rely on those types of cards. When facing Daru Sanctifier, it’s crucial to shift gears and think outside the box.

One effective strategy is to utilize spells that don’t target, such as board wipes or global effects, to bypass the protection barrier. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the battlefield without needing to target. Additionally, leveraging creature abilities that punish or remove creatures without targeting, such as those found on Plague Engineer or Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, can provide the edge needed to deal with this defender. By adapting your methods and keeping these considerations in mind, Daru Sanctifier can be managed, maintaining the flow and control of your game plan.

Overall, while Daru Sanctifier can be a formidable opponent, recognizing and preparing for its strengths ensures it won’t catch you off guard. Strategic planning and flexible tactics are key in overcoming the hurdles it presents on the battlefield.


Cards like Daru Sanctifier

Daru Sanctifier from Magic: The Gathering offers players a unique defensive utility. This creature card echoes the functions of cards like Whitemane Lion, which provides an instant speed return of a creature to its owner’s hand, potentially saving key creatures from removal. Daru Sanctifier differs by specifically targeting enchantments, allowing a targeted defense against enchantment-heavy strategies, which Whitemane Lion doesn’t address.

Joining the ranks of similarity is Kami of Ancient Law, a creature with a built-in ability to destroy enchantments, providing a similar level of control over enchantment-dominated boards. While Kami of Ancient Law lacks the life gain feature that Daru Sanctifier presents upon morphing, its continuous presence exerts pressure on opponents planning to leverage enchantments effectively.

Considering these options, Daru Sanctifier fits well within the scope of enchantment regulation creatures. Its morph ability and life gain offer a blend of surprise and sustainability, setting it apart from peers like Whitemane Lion and Kami of Ancient Law. For players crafting a strategy around deft manipulation and control of enchantments in-game, Daru Sanctifier could prove to be a cornerstone card.

Whitemane Lion - MTG Card versions
Kami of Ancient Law - MTG Card versions
Whitemane Lion - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Kami of Ancient Law - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Cards similar to Daru Sanctifier by color, type and mana cost

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Teroh's Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Kami of Old Stone - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Blinking Spirit - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Veteran of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - Revised Edition (3ED)
Moorish Cavalry - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Witch Hunter - Chronicles (CHR)
Carrier Pigeons - Alliances (ALL)
Tormented Angel - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Seasoned Marshal - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Coalition Honor Guard - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Teroh's Vanguard - Torment (TOR)
Mangara, the Diplomat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Akroma's Devoted - Legions (LGN)
Leonin Abunas - Mirrodin (MRD)
Kami of Old Stone - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Aven Cloudchaser - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Blinking Spirit - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Seht's Tiger - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Valor - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Veteran of the Depths - Lorwyn (LRW)
Guardian Seraph - Magic 2010 (M10)
Lightkeeper of Emeria - Worldwake (WWK)
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - Salvat 2011 (PS11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Daru Sanctifier MTG card by a specific set like Legions, 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 Daru Sanctifier and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Daru Sanctifier has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 The trigger occurs when you use the Morph ability to turn the card face up, or when an effect turns it face up. It will not trigger on being revealed or on leaving the battlefield.

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