Desert Sandstorm MTG Card

Desert Sandstorm - Portal Three Kingdoms

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Sorcery
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Number	107
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	White
Illustred by	Xu Tan

Key Takeaways

Desert Sandstorm excels at optimizing draw quality, enabling better control of game flow and resource management.
This card’s instant speed allows for rapid responses to threats, keeping opponents on their toes.
Although powerful, its specific mana and discard requirements may limit deck flexibility and efficiency.

Text of card

Desert Sandstorm deals 1 damage to each creature. (This includes your creatures.)

While pursuing the remnants of Yuan Shao's forces into the Wuhan Desert, Cao Cao was temporarily turned back by a fierce sandstorm.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Desert Sandstorm provides a strategic upper hand by filtering through the deck, thereby optimizing draw quality and giving players access to the right resources at the right time. This aligns perfectly with the aim of controlling the flow of the game and maintaining a strong hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card supports aggressive playstyles by potentially unlocking lands or mana artifacts faster, setting the stage for casting high-impact spells earlier in the match. Not to mention, it can disrupt opponents’ mana bases, tipping the scales in your favor.

Instant Speed: The capability to cast Desert Sandstorm at instant speed vastly increases its utility, allowing players to adapt to threats swiftly or to create advantageous board states at the most opportune moments, all while keeping opposing players guessing.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Desert Sandstorm demands that you discard another card, which might deplete your hand, especially in critical turns when card advantage is pivotal for maintaining momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost requires a stringent commitment to colored mana, which could strain your mana base and reduce the flexibility of your deck-building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost higher than some alternative spells that can disrupt or control the board, Desert Sandstorm might not be the most mana-efficient choice for the effect it offers, potentially slowing down your game plan.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Desert Sandstorm offers flexibility as it can be slotted into different deck archetypes. Decks that focus on land interaction, for instance, can capitalize on the additional maneuverability this card provides.

Combo Potential: This card holds the potential to synergize with strategies that capitalize on controlling the battlefield. Its effects, when combined with other cards, can help set up pivotal plays that turn the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given that the current MTG meta may lean heavily on creature-based tactics, Desert Sandstorm could serve as an effective counter by restricting and managing opponent movements, making it a timely inclusion in your deck.

How to beat

Desert Sandstorm is a card that can create challenging board states for Magic: The Gathering players. When considering strategies to overcome this obstacle, one could look into cards that grant your creatures indestructible, allowing them to withstand the destruction often brought on by such spells. Specific cards that may remedy this situation include spells or abilities that counteract non-land permanents from being destroyed, thus negating the potential impact of Desert Sandstorm.

Moreover, incorporating cards that can regenerate or protect creatures play a pivotal role in outlasting the effects. Opt for instant-speed spells that save your permanents or hexproof to shield them from such targeted actions. Agile deckbuilding that anticipates and neutralizes the effect of Desert Sandstorm by utilizing these methods will enable your creatures to endure through the sands of strife and come out victorious on the battleground.

Mastering the art of foresight and preparation in your deck composition can significantly mitigate the threats posed by Desert Sandstorm, turning what could be a devastating setback into a manageable facet of the game.

Cards like Desert Sandstorm

In the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, Desert Sandstorm offers an interesting dynamic to games with its utility in manipulating the board state. Its counterparts in the realm of damage-dealing to all creatures, like Pyroclasm, also serve to clear the board with a swift two-damage sweep. However, Desert Sandstorm distinguishes itself with potentially higher damage output in exchange for a greater mana investment.

Comparably, another parallel can be drawn with cards like Sweltering Suns. Offering a similar effect by dealing three damage to each creature for three mana, what sets Sweltering Suns apart is its cycling ability allowing a player to replace it if it’s not needed at the moment. While Desert Sandstorm may not possess this flexibility, the potential scale of its damage can be a game-changer under the right conditions.

In analyzing these board-clearing options, it becomes evident that the inclusion of Desert Sandstorm in a deck can offer a distinct advantage, especially in larger multiplayer games or against token-heavy strategies where its damage ramping can become a massive deterrent for opponents.

Cards similar to Desert Sandstorm by color, type and mana cost

Search for Survivors - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Desert Sandstorm MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Desert Sandstorm and other MTG cards: