Sleep MTG Card


Sleep taps all opponent’s creatures, yielding a sizable shift in board control and tempo. Its sorcery nature and surprise element can change the game’s dynamic in a critical turn. Despite disadvantages like discard costs and specific mana, Sleep’s influence remains noteworthy.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Tap all creatures target player controls. Those creatures don't untap during that player's next untap step.

"I give them dreams so wondrous that they hesitate to return to the world of the conscious." —Garild, merfolk mage


Cards like Sleep

Sleep fits neatly into the arsenal of blue control tools in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives are cards like Bluster Squall and Cryptic Command that also tap creatures, albeit with varying effects and costs. Sleep, with its straightforward ability to tap all creatures an opponent controls leaves them in a frozen state for a whole turn cycle, providing a clear path for attackers.

However, Bluster Squall comes with the modular flexibility of tapping down creatures on a smaller scale with its Overload cost enabling a wider reach when you need it. Cryptic Command is the Swiss Army knife of control, offering options to tap creatures while also allowing other actions like countering a spell or drawing a card. This versatility is often what draws players to select Cryptic Command over simpler, more direct options like Sleep.

In essence, while Sleep offers a decisive game swing by neutralizing threats for a vital turn, its cousins in the MTG realm offer versatility and a lower cost for a similar immediate impact. Comparing these different cards highlights the balance players must consider between power and flexibility in their gameplay strategies.

Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions
Cryptic Command - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sleep by color, type and mana cost

Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
Touch of Brilliance - MTG Card versions
Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Diminishing Returns - MTG Card versions
Counterintelligence - MTG Card versions
Ransack - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Scrying - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Dematerialize - MTG Card versions
Deep Analysis - MTG Card versions
Tempted by the Oriq - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions
Consuming Tide - MTG Card versions
Airborne Aid - MTG Card versions
Peer Pressure - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions
Distant Melody - MTG Card versions
Juxtapose - MTG Card versions
Baki's Curse - MTG Card versions
Touch of Brilliance - MTG Card versions
Polymorph - MTG Card versions
Diminishing Returns - MTG Card versions
Counterintelligence - MTG Card versions
Ransack - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Scrying - MTG Card versions
Wash Out - MTG Card versions
Dematerialize - MTG Card versions
Deep Analysis - MTG Card versions
Tempted by the Oriq - MTG Card versions
Inscription of Insight - MTG Card versions
Consuming Tide - MTG Card versions
Airborne Aid - MTG Card versions
Peer Pressure - MTG Card versions
Concentrate - MTG Card versions
Mouth to Mouth - MTG Card versions
Sift - MTG Card versions
Distant Melody - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sleep allows you to effectively deal with multiple threats at once without needing to individually address them. By tapping all creatures your opponents control, you minimize their board presence, leading to an accumulation of advantages on your side.

Resource Acceleration: While Sleep does not directly contribute to resource acceleration in the classic sense of producing mana or ramping, it indirectly accelerates your game plan. By halting your opponent’s offensive capabilities, you gain extra turns to develop your resources unimpeded, which can be pivotal in setting up a win.

Instant Speed: Despite Sleep being a sorcery, its impact is akin to instant speed benefits in terms of surprise factor. When cast at a critical moment, its effect can be so disruptive that it shifts the game’s momentum in your favor, similar to the tactical advantage gained from an unexpected instant during your opponent’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To cast Sleep, players must have a hand ready to let go of cards, as it entails discarding as part of casting costs. This can be troublesome if your hand is crucial to your strategy and card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Sleep requires an exact arrangement of mana—two blue mana in its casting cost. This specificity means that decks not focusing on blue might find it challenging to incorporate Sleep without adjusting their mana base accordingly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana, Sleep may come across as an expensive investment for the temporary stall it provides. Considering other spells or creatures could present a more permanent solution, its cost efficiency is up for debate amongst players building optimized decks.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sleep provides a unique edge in blue decks that facilitates a clear path for your creatures to deal damage. It can be slotted into numerous strategies that involve aggro-control or tempo plays.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that damage opponents when creatures become tapped, Sleep magnifies its impact. It becomes a compelling part of a combo that can swing games in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are prevalent, Sleep shines by incapacitating an entire board, giving you the upper hand and potentially turning the tide of the match.


How to beat

The card Sleep is an impactful spell in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to tap all creatures an opponent controls and prevent them from untapping during the opponent’s next untap step. To navigate around this card’s debilitating effect, players should focus on strategies that aren’t overly reliant on creatures or can remove the need for an untap phase entirely.

One strategy is to utilize instant speed effects or abilities you can activate at any time, which allow you to respond to Sleep being cast. Counterspells are also an excellent method to prevent Sleep from resolving in the first place. Alternatively, a deck with a robust “Flash” mechanic can operate efficiently on the opponent’s turn, reducing the impact of Sleep. Additionally, cards with “Vigilance” or “Haste” help mitigate Sleep’s hindrance as they either don’t need to tap to attack or can come into play and act immediately.

Ultimately, while Sleep can turn the tide of a game, it’s not unbeatable. By diversifying your strategies and including ways to counteract tapping mechanisms, you can better prepare your deck to handle the challenges Sleep presents in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the delicate art of control in MTG can be a game-changer, and utilizing cards like Sleep can significantly tip the scales in your match. As the battlefield fluctuates and the meta shifts, it is essential to adapt and evolve your deck. Whether you’re stifling an army with Sleep’s all-encompassing wave or seeking alternatives that mesh better with your strategy, there’s a multitude of pathways to explore for refining your gameplay. We encourage you to continue learning and expanding your arsenal. Dive deeper into the intricate world of MTG with us, enhance your collection, and outmaneuver your opponents at every turn.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sleep MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Magic 2011, 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 Sleep and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Sleep Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Chris Rahn.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-07-17Magic 2010M10 712003NormalBlackChris Rahn
22010-07-16Magic 2011M11 732003NormalBlackChris Rahn
32012-07-13Magic 2013M13 672003NormalBlackChris Rahn
42015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1062015NormalBlackChris Rahn
52018-07-13Core Set 2019M19 742015NormalBlackChris Rahn
62019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4952015NormalBlackChris Rahn
72020-08-13Arena Beginner SetANB 332015NormalBlackChris Rahn
82020-09-26The ListPLST M19-742015NormalBlackChris Rahn
92020-09-26The ListPLST C15-1062015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sleep has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-07-13 The second part of Sleep’s ability affects all creatures the targeted player controls as Sleep resolves, not only the ones that Sleep actually caused to become tapped.