Sanguinary Mage MTG Card

Sanguinary Mage - Shadows over Innistrad

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Vampire Wizard
Abilities	Prowess
Released	2016-04-08
Set symbol
Set name	Shadows over Innistrad
Set code	SOI
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	178
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David Gaillet

Key Takeaways

Casting noncreature spells with Sanguinary Mage on board makes it a bigger threat and pressures opponents.
Instant-speed interactions elevate the card’s tactical value, transforming it into a powerful combatant.
Mana-focused spells complement Sanguinary Mage, rapidly escalating its power and battlefield presence.

Text of card

Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

New cults rising in Nephalia have found allies in the Stromkirk bloodline, whose progenitor worships ancient and terrible forces.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sanguinary Mage doesn’t inherently offer card advantage, but its prowess ability can create opportunities for card advantage through strategic spellcasting. By triggering its prowess with cheap instant and sorcery spells, a player can efficiently cycle through their deck and apply pressure on the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Sanguinary Mage itself does not directly accelerate resources, it can be a catalyst in decks that utilize spells for resource acceleration. It benefits from mana-generating spells by growing stronger each time a noncreature spell is cast, leading to a more formidable threat on the board quicker than expected.

Instant Speed: The real strength of Sanguinary Mage lies in synergizing with instant speed spells. The ability to cast spells at instant speed to trigger prowess can turn it into an unexpectedly powerful attacker or blocker, catching opponents off guard during combat. This reactive playstyle forces opponents to consider the untapped mana and potential cards in hand that could enhance the Mage’s power.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sanguinary Mage, while a capable creature in specific scenarios, requires you to often discard valuable cards to activate synergies or benefits which can diminish your hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The card requires red mana for casting. This dedicated mana cost means it slots exclusively into red or multi-colored decks, potentially limiting its playability across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the overall utility of Sanguinary Mage, the casting cost may be considered steep for its base stats and abilities. There are alternatives available that might provide more impact or versatility on the battlefield for a similar or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Sanguinary Mage in Your Collection

Versatility: Sanguinary Mage is a flexible addition to decks that capitalize on spell synergy and prowess mechanics. Its ability to get stronger with each instant or sorcery spell makes it a valuable card in various strategies, particularly ones that aim to cast multiple spells in a single turn.

Combo Potential: In decks that utilize noncreature spells to generate powerful effects, Sanguinary Mage’s prowess can quickly turn it into a formidable threat. It pairs well with cheap cantrips and spells that boost its power while drawing you cards or disrupting your opponent’s gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: Sanguinary Mage shines in environments where games are fast-paced and decided by incremental advantages. As the meta shifts towards efficient, low-cost creatures, having a card that can grow in power and pose an unexpected threat becomes increasingly valuable.

How to beat

Sanguinary Mage is a creature with an ability that fosters the prowess mechanic, incrementally boosting its power each time a noncreature spell is cast. This makes it a useful asset in spell-heavy decks that seek to establish a persistent board presence while also casting numerous spells. From a comparative standpoint, the Mage may remind veteran players of cards like Stormchaser Mage, which also benefits from the prowess effect but offers the advantage of flying.

Dealing with Sanguinary Mage effectively requires a strategic approach, much like handling any creature with the potential to grow over time. Removal spells that can bypass an increasing power, such as those causing exile or -X/-X effects, have proven to be particularly efficient against it. Additionally, countering the noncreature spells that trigger its prowess can stymie the Mage’s growth and reduce its threat considerably, making strategic spell management a key component in outmaneuvering this card. Considering these tactics, while a solitary Sanguinary Mage does not present an insurmountable barrier, it’s imperative to address it with expediency before its incremental growth overshadows the battlefield.

Ultimately, Sanguinary Mage demands immediate attention in any matchup, and players equipped with the right tools and timing will deftly mitigate its impact, ensuring it doesn’t escalate into an unmanageable threat.

Cards like Sanguinary Mage

Sanguinary Mage is a card that enjoys a firm place within the plethora of two-drop creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Like Sanguinary Mage, cards like Stormchaser Mage offer players a 1/3 body for two mana. However, Sanguinary Mage leans into defensive play with its prowess ability, gaining strength for every noncreature spell cast. Stormchaser Mage instead supports an aggressive strategy with flying and haste, showcasing how similar mana investments can lead to different roles on the battlefield.

Another card that echoes the playstyle of Sanguinary Mage is Jeskai Elder. While both cards grow with spell casting, Jeskai Elder directs this synergy towards card advantage by allowing the player to draw and discard a card upon connecting with the opponent. This slight shift favors a more proactive approach to deck cycling and draw power.

Ultimately, while comparable in casting cost and growth mechanics, Sanguinary Mage stands out for its pure prowess-oriented play. It offers a strategic benefit for decks focused on casting numerous noncreature spells, making it a distinct and potent player on the magic-laden fields of MTG.

Cards similar to Sanguinary Mage by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sanguinary Mage MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad, 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 Sanguinary Mage and other MTG cards: