Sarkhan Vol MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Sarkhan
Loyalty 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Sarkhan Vol’s abilities focus on amplifying threats and accelerating gameplay pace.
  2. Dual-color mana and four cost can be restrictive, yet offer immense power.
  3. Adding Sarkhan Vol to a collection ensures versatility and meta relevance.

Text of card

+1: Creatures you control get +1/+1 and gain haste until end of turn. -2: Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. -6: Put five 4/4 red Dragon creature tokens with flying into play.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sarkhan Vol provides the potential for significant card advantage in MTG. With his ability to generate Dragon tokens, Sarkhan can turn one card into multiple threats, forcing opponents to deal with a wider board presence.

Resource Acceleration: This planeswalker has the power to give your creatures a sudden boost in speed with his +1 ability. By increasing the power of your creatures, you’re accelerating the pace of the game and the resources at your disposal, allowing you to pressure your opponent earlier in the game than they might expect.

Instant Speed: Sarkhan Vol’s ultimate ability is a game-changer that can be activated at the swiftness of instant speed during your turn. The influx of flying Dragon tokens can quickly tip the scales in your favor, allowing for some of MTG’s most dramtic and sudden shifts in-board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sarkhan Vol does not directly demand discarding as an intrinsic part of his abilities, the discard requirement comes into play when using him in a deck. This often means that to make the most of his abilities, players may have to discard other potentially useful cards, particularly in decks that focus on cycling and discarding for value.

Specific Mana Cost: Sarkhan Vol’s specific mana requirement includes both red and green mana. This dual-color demand makes him less flexible, as it requires a deck built to accommodate this mana base, which might not always align with the player’s strategy or the deck’s optimal color scheme.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: His loyalty abilities, while powerful, come at a comparatively high mana cost of four, including two colored mana. In formats where mana efficiency is paramount, this cost can sometimes prove too high when faster, lower-cost planeswalkers or creatures are available as alternatives in a player’s deck-building options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sarkhan Vol offers a wide range of abilities that complement various deck strategies. Its ability to give creatures you control +1/+1 and haste can turn the tide of the game by enhancing your board presence instantly. This makes it adaptable to both aggressive and midrange decks that aim to win through creature combat.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to gain control of opponent’s creatures can lead to decisive combo plays, especially when combined with sacrifice effects for added value. This ability not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy but also provides you with critical interaction and unexpected advantages during gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, Sarkhan Vol remains a constant threat against decks that rely on key creatures. Its ability to apply immediate pressure while also offering a threat of an ultimate that can end games makes it a staple in metas where creature-based strategies prevail.


How to beat

Sarkhan Vol is a dynamic planeswalker card that offers a unique blend of boosting creature power and gaining control of opponents’ key monsters. This versatility makes it a powerful asset in MTG, particularly in decks that capitalize on creature synergies. To effectively counter Sarkhan Vol, it’s crucial to focus on timing and removal strategies. One effective method is to use instant-speed removal spells when the opponent attempts to utilize Sarkhan Vol’s abilities, thereby minimizing their chances to benefit from the loyalty abilities.

Another strategy involves playing cards like Thoughtseize or Duress which can disrupt the opponent’s hand, specifically targeting Sarkhan Vol before it can be played. For creatures already affected by Sarkhan Vol’s buff, cards that can wipe the board or set up unfavorable trades are invaluable. Consider leveraging sweepers like Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God to reset the board and mitigate the temporary power boost granted by Sarkhan Vol. It’s a game of anticipation and action—having the right answer when Sarkhan Vol hits the board is key to claiming victory.

Ultimately, understanding the meta and preparing your deck with cards designed to neutralize potent planeswalkers like Sarkhan Vol is a decisive factor in consistently overcoming challenges they present in MTG matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the strategic depths of MTG with cards like Sarkhan Vol to amplify your gameplay. His abilities offer a crucial edge in creature-based combat, accelerating your offensive strategies with dashes of speed and power. If you’re looking to refine your collection with cards that can adapt to various strategies and shift the tides of battle in your favor, Sarkhan Vol is a promising addition. Grasp the opportunity to outmaneuver opponents by embracing the combo potential and meta-relevance of this dynamic planeswalker. Expand your MTG prowess and elevate your deck’s capability—visit us to explore more about leveraging Sarkhan Vol’s power in your matches.


Cards like Sarkhan Vol

Sarkhan Vol enriches the MTG planeswalker card pool with its unique abilities that tap into creature control and power boosts. Looking at a similar card, Xenagos, the Reveler, we see an affinity for boosting creature power as well. However, Xenagos leans more towards ramping your mana with its “+1” ability, something Sarkhan Vol doesn’t provide. Though both can generate creatures, Sarkhan Vol’s dominating “-2” ability grants you control of enemy creatures for a turn, a big gameplay swing.

Domri, Chaos Bringer also shares characteristics with Sarkhan Vol, offering creature support through Riot and creating additional creatures. Yet, Sarkhan’s ability to give creatures a +1/+1 and gain haste sets it apart, allowing for immediate aggression. Another comparable card is Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner. While Kiora focuses on untapping and drawing cards, it lacks the direct combat manipulation that makes Sarkhan Vol a contender on the battlefield.

Comparisons reveal that while there are similar planeswalkers in flavor and function, Sarkhan Vol stands out with its capability to seize creatures and empower your assault instantly, positioning it uniquely in MTG strategies revolving around creature dynamics and control.

Xenagos, the Reveler - MTG Card versions
Domri, Chaos Bringer - MTG Card versions
Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner - MTG Card versions
Xenagos, the Reveler - MTG Card versions
Domri, Chaos Bringer - MTG Card versions
Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sarkhan Vol by color, type and mana cost

Samut, Tyrant Smasher - MTG Card versions
Arlinn, the Pack's Hope // Arlinn, the Moon's Fury - MTG Card versions
Xenagos, the Reveler - MTG Card versions
Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon - MTG Card versions
Samut, the Tested - MTG Card versions
Domri, Chaos Bringer - MTG Card versions
Minsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes - MTG Card versions
Samut, Tyrant Smasher - MTG Card versions
Arlinn, the Pack's Hope // Arlinn, the Moon's Fury - MTG Card versions
Xenagos, the Reveler - MTG Card versions
Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon - MTG Card versions
Samut, the Tested - MTG Card versions
Domri, Chaos Bringer - MTG Card versions
Minsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sarkhan Vol MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Modern 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 Sarkhan Vol and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Sarkhan Vol Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1912003NormalBlackDaarken
22013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 1832003NormalBlackDaarken
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11442015NormalBorderlessUta Natsume

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sarkhan Vol has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2008-10-01 Sarkhan Vol’s first ability affects only creatures you control when that ability resolves.
2008-10-01 You may activate the first ability even if you control no creatures. Sarkhan Vol gains a loyalty counter, but the ability will have no effect.
2008-10-01 You may target any creature with the second ability, not just a creature an opponent controls. If you target a creature you already control, you’ll gain control of it (which will usually have no visible effect), it’ll untap, and it’ll gain haste until end of turn.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks