Brave the Sands MTG Card


Brave the Sands offers indirect card advantage by improving the survivability of your creatures during combat. Vigilant creatures remain untapped post-attack, maximizing offensive and defensive strategies without compromising. The ability to instantly fortify board state with enhanced blocking capabilities disrupts opponent tactics effectively.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Creatures you control have vigilance. Each creature you control can block an additional creature.

Enduring the most desolate and dangerous conditions, Abzan sentries unfailingly guard the stronghold gates.


Cards like Brave the Sands

Brave the Sands is an enchanting card that gives creatures you control an advantage in combat within the diverse universe of Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards such as Always Watching, which also gives creatures an edge by granting them vigilance. Brave the Sands, however, not only confers vigilance but allows creatures to block an additional attacker each turn, offering a unique defensive boost.

Another card in the same realm is High Ground, which exclusively offers the ability for each creature to block an additional creature. While it doesn’t provide the vigilance trait, it’s an effective alternative for decks focused predominantly on defense. Ghostly Prison also comes to mind, which doesn’t affect creature abilities but makes it costlier for opponents to attack you, indirectly improving your board’s defensiveness.

In evaluating these selections, Brave the Sands proves to be a versatile choice for players looking to balance defense with offensive opportunities. By allowing creatures to remain untapped after an attack, it seamlessly fuses with strategies that benefit from active creatures for abilities or further defensive measures, making it a card worth considering in decks emphasizing resilience and adaptability in combat.

Always Watching - MTG Card versions
High Ground - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Prison - MTG Card versions
Always Watching - MTG Card versions
High Ground - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Prison - MTG Card versions

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

Blessing - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: White - MTG Card versions
Island Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Crusade - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Blue - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Artifacts - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Red - MTG Card versions
Energy Storm - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Black - MTG Card versions
Ward of Lights - MTG Card versions
Gossamer Chains - MTG Card versions
I'm Rubber, You're Glue - MTG Card versions
Absolute Grace - MTG Card versions
Seal of Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Absolute Law - MTG Card versions
Sacred Ground - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Earnest Fellowship - MTG Card versions
Hypochondria - MTG Card versions
Soulcatchers' Aerie - MTG Card versions
Blessing - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: White - MTG Card versions
Island Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Crusade - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Blue - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Artifacts - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Red - MTG Card versions
Energy Storm - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Black - MTG Card versions
Ward of Lights - MTG Card versions
Gossamer Chains - MTG Card versions
I'm Rubber, You're Glue - MTG Card versions
Absolute Grace - MTG Card versions
Seal of Cleansing - MTG Card versions
Absolute Law - MTG Card versions
Sacred Ground - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Earnest Fellowship - MTG Card versions
Hypochondria - MTG Card versions
Soulcatchers' Aerie - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Brave the Sands doesn’t directly allow you to draw more cards, but by enabling your creatures to block an additional creature each turn, it can indirectly lead to card advantage by preserving your board state. This defensive upgrade means you’re more likely to keep your creatures alive through combat, maintaining a stronger presence on the battlefield and potent threats in your arsenal.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, Brave the Sands accelerates your resources by keeping valuable creatures untapped after attacking. This vigilance grant can be especially beneficial when creatures have tap abilities, allowing you to maximize their potential without compromising defense. The card elevates efficiency and enables a more aggressive use of creatures as both offensive and defensive assets.

Instant Speed: Even though Brave the Sands is an enchantment played at sorcery speed, it has a potent impact on gameplay that can be as pivotal as that of an instant. The immediate benefits of vigilance and enhanced blocking can turn the tide of a game, disrupting an opponent’s calculations at a critical moment. It fortifies positions instantaneously upon hitting the battlefield and can act as a surprise element during your main phase, securing a fortressed board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Brave the Sands doesn’t require discarding as a cost, enhancing its playability and preserving hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Costing one white and one generic mana, it fits well in decks that utilize white mana and benefits from the versatility of the generic cost component.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Brave the Sands isn’t a high-cost card at two mana, evaluating its impact relative to other options in its mana range merits consideration, assessing if the defensive bonuses it confers match the needs of your strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Brave the Sands is a card that can be seamlessly incorporated into a variety of deck builds. Its ability to grant creatures vigilance allows players to maintain a strong defense while still being aggressive on their turns. Additionally, the added bonus that creatures can block an additional attacker lends itself to powerful defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: In decks that focus on creature synergies, this card shines by enabling intricate combos. Its static abilities enhance utility cards and creatures that benefit from tapping or being untapped, effectively multiplying their effectiveness and providing substantial advantages during gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the pace and style of current metagames, Brave the Sands could be a valuable addition to decks contending with a field full of multi-creature tactics. It helps shore up defenses while capitalizing on opportunities to counteract opponent strategies that rely heavily on combat phases.


How to beat

Brave the Sands is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering that can create a formidable defense by allowing creatures to block an additional attacker and giving them vigilance. Overcoming a strategy based on such enhanced blocking capabilities requires tailored tactics. One effective method is to employ spells that limit blocking, such as those that make creatures unblockable for a turn. This tactic bypasses the defensive boost provided by Brave the Sands.

Direct removal spells also play a critical role in dismantling defenses enhanced by this card. By targeting key creatures that your opponent is relying on for their defense, you weaken their overall strategy. Additionally, board wipe spells can reset the playing field, erasing the advantages gained from Brave the Sands. Moreover, enchantment destruction cards are a direct answer, allowing you to remove Brave the Sands from play and its influence over the game.

In summary, adapting your gameplay strategy to include elements that specifically address the strengthened defense brought by Brave the Sands is key to gaining the upper hand. Look to blending evasion, targeted removal, and global resets to effectively deal with the challenges posed by this card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the MTG universe and enrich your tactical approach with our insights. Brave the Sands serves as a linchpin for innovative defensive strategies, meshing offensive momentum with stalwart guard. Your creatures can stand vigilant, ready to act while safeguarding your life total, a dual benefit that can’t be overlooked. Enhancing your playstyle with this enchantment could be the strategic shift you need. Venture beyond the conventional, embrace a newfound resilience and give your opponents a formidable challenge. Let us guide you further into optimizing your deck’s potential. Discover more strategies and refine your gameplay to ensure victory is within grasp.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Brave the Sands MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Commander 2016, 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 Brave the Sands and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Brave the Sands Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-09-26Khans of TarkirKTK 52015NormalBlackDave Kendall
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 602015NormalBlackDave Kendall
32018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 192015NormalBlackDave Kendall

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Brave the Sands has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-09-20 The last ability is cumulative. If you control an additional Brave the Sands, your creatures will each be able to block three creatures, and so on.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.