Beneath the Sands MTG Card


Ensures mana growth and offers a valuable cycling ability for strategic adaptability in game play. Challenges include a specific mana requirement and potentially restricting hand size when cycled. Its combo and meta-relevance make it a worthy inclusion for decks that thrive on versatility.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Cycling

Text of card

Search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Though buried and muffled, nature's whisper still called to Nissa.


Cards like Beneath the Sands

Beneath the Sands is an intriguing card that offers both mana fixing and ramp opportunities in Magic: The Gathering. It’s a useful comparison to cards such as Rampant Growth, which also allows players to search their library for a basic land and put it into play tapped, but for less cost at two mana. However, Beneath the Sands presents the added flexibility with its cycling ability, enabling players to cast it for its cycling cost and draw a card if the land isn’t immediately required.

Another card that mirrors this strategy is Spring // Mind, offering a similar fetch and play dynamic. Although it’s part of a split card that can later give the option to draw cards, it lacks the straightforward cycling feature that makes Beneath the Sands versatile. There’s also Cultivate, which costs one more mana but provides an extra land in hand to ensure continued land drops. While the mana investment is higher, the advantage in land count can be significant in mid to late game.

Each of these cards has its strategic uses, but Beneath the Sands holds a distinct place for players who value flexible options and the ability to adapt to the state of the game while ensuring their mana base is not compromised.

Rampant Growth - MTG Card versions
Spring // Mind - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions
Rampant Growth - MTG Card versions
Spring // Mind - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Beneath the Sands by color, type and mana cost

Ice Storm - MTG Card versions
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Seeds of Innocence - MTG Card versions
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Squall - MTG Card versions
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Long Rest - MTG Card versions
Rosethorn Acolyte // Seasonal Ritual - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions
Lovestruck Beast // Heart's Desire - MTG Card versions
Deconstruct - MTG Card versions
Gift of the Gargantuan - MTG Card versions
Trip Wire - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Reach - MTG Card versions
Lair Delve - MTG Card versions
Search for Tomorrow - MTG Card versions
Culling Mark - MTG Card versions
Lead the Stampede - MTG Card versions
Ice Storm - MTG Card versions
Tranquility - MTG Card versions
Seeds of Innocence - MTG Card versions
Untamed Wilds - MTG Card versions
Wing Snare - MTG Card versions
Fallow Earth - MTG Card versions
Squall - MTG Card versions
Deep Reconnaissance - MTG Card versions
Long Rest - MTG Card versions
Rosethorn Acolyte // Seasonal Ritual - MTG Card versions
Cultivate - MTG Card versions
Lovestruck Beast // Heart's Desire - MTG Card versions
Deconstruct - MTG Card versions
Gift of the Gargantuan - MTG Card versions
Trip Wire - MTG Card versions
Kodama's Reach - MTG Card versions
Lair Delve - MTG Card versions
Search for Tomorrow - MTG Card versions
Culling Mark - MTG Card versions
Lead the Stampede - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Beneath the Sands. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Simic RampSimic Ramp GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 14 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Beneath the Sands is a spell that goes beyond just land ramp. While it does ensure that you’re growing your mana base, it also cycles from your hand. This cycling ability can be a crucial strategic move, providing latitude for deck maneuverability and keeping your hand refreshed with better options.

Resource Acceleration: As a ramp spell, Beneath the Sands serves a fundamental role in increasing your resources. It supports your strategy to cast more impactful spells earlier than expected. By searching for a basic land card and putting it onto the battlefield tapped, it secures your progression towards higher mana availability for forthcoming turns.

Instant Speed: The distinguishing advantage of Beneath the Sands lies in its versatility. While it cannot be cast at instant speed itself, the cycling ability it boasts is instant speed, permitting you to adapt to the fluid dynamics of the game. This adaptability ensures that if a land card isn’t what’s required at the moment, the option to draw and find an alternative answer is always at hand.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Beneath the Sands doesn’t require discarding as part of its casting cost, cycling this card for its alternative effect will reduce your hand size. This could be detrimental if your strategy relies on keeping a range of options available in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s cost includes one green mana, which means it’s tailored for decks that include green mana sources. Players running multicolor decks without a strong green mana base might find it challenging to cast Beneath the Sands when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including two generic and one green, Beneath the Sands isn’t the cheapest ramp option available. Other cards may allow you to search for a land with less mana invested, potentially providing faster acceleration in the early game.


Reasons to Include Beneath the Sands in Your Collection

Versatility: Beneath the Sands is a flexible option for any deck that requires both mana fixing and land ramp. Its ability to search for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped ensures consistency in hitting land drops.

Combo Potential: As a card that cycles for a single mana, Beneath the Sands pairs well with abilities that trigger upon drawing a card or discarding. This can be a subtle yet powerful way to fuel graveyard-based strategies or enablers for reanimation tactics.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where land destruction isn’t prevalent, the secure mana base established by this card can be crucial. It’s especially useful in formats where games tend to go longer and ramping into big threats or critical spells makes a significant impact.


How to beat

Beneath the Sands is a versatile card in MTG, offering both ramp and card draw. To effectively counter it, disrupting the user’s mana base is key. Mana denial strategies can prevent them from benefiting from the additional land this card affords. Similarly, graveyard disruption can impede the potential cycling benefit of Beneath the Sands, rendering the card less effective. It’s critical to maintain pressure, forcing the opponent to choose between investing their mana in ramping or handling immediate threats.

Another impactful approach is to utilize counter magic or hand disruption. By countering Beneath the Sands or stripping it from the opponent’s hand before they have the chance to use it, you eliminate a significant avenue of advantage for them. Keep in mind, Beneath the Sands is most potent in the mid-game when players are looking to accelerate their mana. By being proactive in the early stages, one can curb the advantage it provides.

Understanding the context within which Beneath the Sands is played significantly aids in constructing strategies to beat it. By focusing on timing and resource denial, you can mitigate the benefits it offers and maintain control over the game’s pace.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the strategic edges of MTG is a journey of continual learning and adaptation. Beneath the Sands exemplifies the tactical depth the game offers, serving a dual purpose of mana ramp and card flexibility with its cycling feature. If you’re keen on cultivating a deck that’s robust and versatile, understanding and using cards like Beneath the Sands can be a game-changer. We recommend incorporating such multifaceted tools into your arsenal to navigate the evolving battlefield with poise. Elevate your MTG gameplay and adapt to any challenge that comes your way—learn more with us about optimizing your deck’s potential.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Beneath the Sands MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Mystery Booster, 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 Beneath the Sands and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Beneath the Sands Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-07-14Hour of DevastationHOU 1112015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 11362015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
32020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 1822015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
42020-09-26The ListPLST HOU-1112015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Beneath the Sands has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal