Leyline of Sanctity MTG Card


Starting with Leyline of Sanctity on the battlefield ensures superior tempo and protection against targeted discard. Its specific mana requirements make it ideal for white or multicolor decks, despite a substantial mana cost. Versatile in various formats, it stymies burn and discard strategies, adapting to shifting metagame trends.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

If Leyline of Sanctity is in your opening hand, you may begin the game with it on the battlefield. You can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.


Cards like Leyline of Sanctity

Leyline of Sanctity is a unique piece in the intricate puzzle of Magic the Gathering, often compared to other cards that offer protective boons. It holds a similar role to Ivory Mask, which shields you from being the target of spells or abilities your opponents control. However, the Leyline’s distinct advantage lies in its ability to be on the battlefield at the beginning of the game if it’s in your opening hand, providing immediate defense without mana investment.

Another card that comes to mind is Witchbane Orb. This artifact offers a similar hexproof protection upon entering the battlefield and additionally destroys all Curses attached to you. While Witchbane Orb dispels existing threats, it requires four mana and doesn’t have the out-of-the-gate potential of Leyline of Sanctity. Lastly, Aegis of the Gods grants you hexproof as a creature, but with its fragility to removal spells, it doesn’t quite match the enduring presence that the enchanting Leyline provides.

Considering these comparisons, Leyline of Sanctity stands out among its peers. With the capability to thwart targeted disruptions from the game’s inception, it asserts significant strategic advantage, making it a favored choice among players looking to shield themselves from the myriad of targeted effects that define the competitive landscape of Magic the Gathering.

Ivory Mask - MTG Card versions
Witchbane Orb - MTG Card versions
Aegis of the Gods - MTG Card versions
Ivory Mask - MTG Card versions
Witchbane Orb - MTG Card versions
Aegis of the Gods - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Leyline of Sanctity by color, type and mana cost

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Castle - MTG Card versions
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Conversion - MTG Card versions
Angelic Voices - MTG Card versions
Seeker - MTG Card versions
Drought - MTG Card versions
Justice - MTG Card versions
Divine Transformation - MTG Card versions
Null Chamber - MTG Card versions
Field of Souls - MTG Card versions
Light of Day - MTG Card versions
Pegasus Refuge - MTG Card versions
Opal Titan - MTG Card versions
Serra's Liturgy - MTG Card versions
Ivory Mask - MTG Card versions
Parallax Wave - MTG Card versions
Worship - MTG Card versions
Serra's Embrace - MTG Card versions
Diversionary Tactics - MTG Card versions
Moat - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Oops! All SpellsOops! All Spells LegacyOops! All SpellsLegacy Challenge 64 2024-05-05
WUBGWUBG ModernModern Challenge 64 2024-03-17
BoglesBogles ModernBoglesPachanga Trial ACUP Sbado
Selesnya EnchantressSelesnya Enchantress LegacyEnchantressLegacy League 2024-03-30
Five-color ComboFive-color Combo ModernDomain Zoo$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Selesnya EnchantmentsSelesnya Enchantments ModernEnchantress$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Mono-White Heliod ComboMono-White Heliod Combo ModernMono-White Heliod ComboModern Challenge 32 2024-04-11
Hidden StringsHidden Strings PioneerHidden StringsPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-02 (1)
Omni-TellOmni-Tell LegacyOmni-TellLegacy Last Chance 2024-03-18 (1)
Selesnya ControlSelesnya Control PioneerF2F Tour Edmonton - Pioneer Super Qualifier

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Leyline of Sanctity itself does not draw cards, it effectively negates strategies focused on targeted discard, thus maintaining the quality of the resources in your hand. By being a safeguard against targeted discard spells and abilities, it keeps your hand intact, frequently leading to card advantage over opponents who rely on disrupting your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: This enchantment does not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana. However, by starting the game with Leyline of Sanctity on the battlefield if it’s in your opening hand, you gain a significant tempo advantage. This allows you to allocate your mana towards developing your board or enacting your game plan quicker than you would be able to otherwise.

Instant Speed: Although the Leyline itself does not function at instant speed, its static ability protects you immediately and at all times, preventing opponents from targeting you with harmful instant-speed spells or abilities. This ever-present barrier can deter opponents from launching their most crucial plays, providing a form of passive control over the game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: None; Leyline of Sanctity does not require discarding as part of its cost or effect, providing a clear path for protection right from the game’s onset. This makes it a strategic choice for those looking to safeguard themselves without the expense of valuable hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: While Leyline of Sanctity offers a powerful and broad shield by granting you hexproof, it demands a specific mana investment of two white mana in its cost. This means it slots naturally into white-centric or multicolored decks but can be a challenging fit for others where white mana isn’t as readily accessible.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Players often evaluate the card based on its static ability activated from the game’s beginning if in your opening hand. However, drawing it later in the game makes its four total mana cost a significant investment, especially when compared to other lower-cost cards that might offer more immediate board impact or fit more seamlessly into a tight mana curve during critical game turns.


Reasons to Include Leyline of Sanctity in Your Collection

Versatility: Leyline of Sanctity offers broad protection as it can be instrumental in decks that aim to shield the player from targeted effects. This makes it adaptable across various formats where such threats are prevalent.

Combo Potential: Its ability to grant you hexproof pairs well with cards and strategies that put you at risk from your own spells or those that benefit from the protection it provides. Think of synergies with cards that penalize players for targeting or dealing damage.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames heavy with burn strategies, discard spells, or targeted abilities, Leyline of Sanctity shines by nullifying those tactics, thereby offering a significant edge. Its relevance ebbs and flows with the meta, but it remains a solid option against direct interference.


How to beat

Leyline of Sanctity is a highly strategic enchantment card in Magic: The Gathering that brings a significant defensive advantage. Known for its ability to grant hexproof to its controller, this card shuts down opponents’ attempts to target you with spells or abilities. To effectively navigate around Leyline of Sanctity, players can shift their focus to board-wide effects that don’t require targeting. Cards such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict bypass the protection Leyline offers, as they affect each player equally without targeting any single opponent.

An alternative strategy involves employing cards like Duress or Thoughtseize to remove Leyline of Sanctity from the opponent’s hand before it can be cast. This preemptive approach makes it crucial to control the early game, ensuring that Leyline never becomes an active obstacle. Additionally, utilizing enchantment removal like Disenchant or Back to Nature can effectively clear Leyline from the battlefield after it’s played. Thereby, leveraging non-targeted removal become essential tactics when facing the protection of Leyline of Sanctity.

Ultimately, beating Leyline of Sanctity requires a well-rounded strategy that accommodates indirect methods of interference, setting the stage for victory despite the protective aegis it grants to your opponent.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you ponder the diverse and ever-evolving MTG battlefield, the insights of one card, in particular, Leyline of Sanctity, can be pivotal. Striking a balance between protection and playability, this enchantment fortifies your defenses right from the game’s start. It’s a keystone for any collection, especially in metagames where targeted threats are the norm. Versatility, tempo advantage, and strategic depth are qualities that the Leyline offers to your arsenal. Interested in delving deeper into ways to optimize your deck with Leyline of Sanctity or seeking methods to counter it effectively? Join us in exploring further and mastering the delicate art of deckbuilding and gameplay tactics.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Leyline of Sanctity MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Leyline of Sanctity and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Leyline of Sanctity Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-07-16Magic 2011M11 212003NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
22015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 232015NormalBlackRyan Pancoast
32019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 262015NormalBlackNoah Bradley
42023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting TalesWOT 102015NormalBorderlessWFlemming Illustration

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Leyline of Sanctity has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-06-08 A player’s “opening hand” is the hand of cards the player has after all players have taken mulligans. If players have any cards in hand that allow actions to be taken with them from a player’s opening hand, the starting player takes all such actions first in any order, followed by each other player in turn order. Then the first turn begins.