Snapping Sailback MTG Card


Snapping Sailback’s flash ability allows for surprise plays and can be a game-changing defensive tactic. Potential to grow stronger makes it a persistent threat and a valuable asset for green strategies. While late-game mana cost is noteworthy, its enrage mechanic offsets this by enhancing board presence.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dinosaur
Abilities Enrage, Flash
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flash Enrage — Whenever Snapping Sailback is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on it. (It must survive the damage to get the counter.)

Lurking beneath the murky waters of Ixalan's rivers, sailbacks can rip a meal off the shore in the blink of an eye.


Cards like Snapping Sailback

Snapping Sailback is an intriguing creature that finds its place among various interesting dinosaur-type cards in Magic: The Gathering. Notable for its flash ability, allowing you to surprise opponents by playing it on their turn, it compares favorably to other similar creatures in the green color pie. Comparable cards like Thrashing Brontodon provide utility in the form of artifact and enchantment destruction but lack the combat trick potential that Snapping Sailback offers.

In the vein of creatures benefiting from damage, Ripjaw Raptor is another similar creature, which, instead of growing stronger like Snapping Sailback, it rewards you with card draw when it’s dealt damage. There’s also Siegehorn Ceratops, which doubles its power and toughness when damaged under the right conditions, but unlike Snapping Sailback, it’s not always ready to jump into play at a moment’s notice.

While each card has its own advantages and tactical uses, Snapping Sailback stands out for its combination of defensive surprise and offensive growth potential, making it a unique option for players looking to add some teeth to their green creature strategies in MTG.

Thrashing Brontodon - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Siegehorn Ceratops - MTG Card versions
Thrashing Brontodon - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Siegehorn Ceratops - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Snapping Sailback by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
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Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Conclave Naturalists - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Panther Warriors - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Crashing Boars - MTG Card versions
Kavu Climber - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Ashaya, Soul of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Conclave Naturalists - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Snapping Sailback shines by potentially growing with each creature your opponent puts into play, thanks to its flash ability and the enrage mechanic. This can swing the balance as it doesn’t require additional cards to become a significant threat on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly contributing to mana acceleration, its five-mana cost for a potentially substantial creature can be an efficient use of resources. Over time, the Sailback can offer an excellent return on investment as it can deter opponents from attacking or force unfavorable trades.

Instant Speed: The key to Snapping Sailback’s utility often lies in its instant speed nature, which allows you to surprise an opponent by bringing it into play at the end of their turn or in response to an attack, making it a versatile defensive option that can rapidly evolve into an offensive asset.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Snapping Sailback doesn’t directly necessitate discarding cards, but its Flash ability suggests it should be played on an opponent’s turn, potentially causing you to hold back cards for optimal timing rather than developing your own board or hand.

Specific Mana Cost: With its casting cost requiring both green mana and generic mana, integrating Snapping Sailback into a multicolor deck can be somewhat restrictive, especially if the deck’s mana base isn’t well-tuned to accommodate green-intensive cards.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at five mana, Snapping Sailback may come out too late in the game when faster, lower-cost creatures could better establish early game presence or when late-game cards might offer greater impact.


Reasons to Include Snapping Sailback in Your Collection

Versatility: Snapping Sailback can adapt fluidly to various game situations, becoming a bigger threat each time it’s dealt damage. It fits well in decks that can manipulate damage to creatures for value growth.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that deal damage to all creatures, Snapping Sailback has the potential to grow rapidly. It synergizes particularly well with enrage-triggering mechanics, turning it into a formidable creature on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment teeming with aggro decks or one where damage-based removal is common, the Snapping Sailback thrives, growing in size and becoming a more significant obstacle for opponents.


How to beat

The Snapping Sailback is a dynamic creature card that packs a punch in MTG because of its flash ability, allowing you to surprise your opponent by playing it at almost any time. Furthermore, its enrage mechanic makes it a growing threat each time it’s dealt damage. However, there are strategies to outmaneuver this stealthy dinosaur.

One effective method is using removal spells that don’t deal damage, thereby circumventing its enrage trigger. Exile-based removal like Path to Exile or efficient destroy effects such as Doom Blade can dispatch of the Sailback without it ever becoming a larger menace. Counter spells represent another clean solution to nip the problem in the bud—negating the Sailback’s casting and preventing it from hitting the battlefield in the first place.

Board wipes are also a way to dilute its impact. Since the Snapping Sailback thrives on single-target damage, a well-placed board clear sidesteps its enrage. Finally, continuous creature control via pacifism effects or cards that prevent damage can hamstring the Sailback’s effectiveness drastically. By denying it the chance to grow, you’ll ensure this lurking predator remains just a minor nuisance on your path to victory in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the nuanced world of MTG can be as complex as it is rewarding. With a card like Snapping Sailback, you’re looking at a creature brimming with potential. Whether you’re enhancing your collection or reinforcing your green deck, the Sailback’s versatility is a significant asset. It morphs from a defensive surprise to an offensive powerhouse, becoming more formidable with each skirmish. For those enticed by this card’s capabilities, we encourage you to further explore its strategic uses. Discover how to optimize such dynamic cards and fortify your gameplay. Elevate your MTG prowess with us and make every encounter on the battlefield count.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Snapping Sailback MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan 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 Snapping Sailback and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Snapping Sailback Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Dan Scott.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-09-29IxalanXLN 2082015NormalBlackDan Scott
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 13372015NormalBlackDan Scott
32020-09-26The ListPLST XLN-2082015NormalBlackDan Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Snapping Sailback has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-01-19 If lethal damage is dealt to a creature with an enrage ability, that ability triggers. The creature with that enrage ability leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, so it won’t be affected by the resolving ability.
2018-01-19 If multiple sources deal damage to a creature with an enrage ability at the same time, most likely because multiple creatures blocked that creature, the enrage ability triggers only once.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.