Spine of Ish Sah MTG Card


Spine of Ish Sah offers repeatable removal and significant card advantage by destroying any permanent. The artifact’s high mana cost and lack of inherent discard are noteworthy considerations for deck builders. Despite its cost, its versatility and combo potential can greatly impact game dynamics and strategy.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

When Spine of Ish Sah enters the battlefield, destroy target permanent. When Spine of Ish Sah is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, return Spine of Ish Sah to its owner's hand.


Cards like Spine of Ish Sah

The Spine of Ish Sah is a captivating card in the realm of artifact cards in MTG. It holds a similar footing with cards like Oblivion Stone, which also has a destructive potential. However, the Spine of Ish Sah distinguishes itself with the unique ability to return to its owner’s hand after it’s put into the graveyard from the battlefield. Oblivion Stone, in contrast, does not have this recurring feature and offers no additional benefits after it is sacked.

Sharing some familiarity is Nevinyrral’s Disk, another artifact card that can destroy all artifacts, creatures, and enchantments on the battlefield. Despite the mass destruction, it doesn’t target specific cards like Spine of Ish Sah and doesn’t bounce back to the hand after the devastation. Then there is Perilous Vault, similar in function to Spine of Ish Sah as it eradicates all nonland permanents, but lacks the distinctive rebound trait. Despite a lower casting cost, it does not offer repeatable value like the Spine of Ish Sah.

Upon evaluating the nuances and values of various options, Spine of Ish Sah indeed ranks highly among artifact cards in MTG, largely due to its destructive power paired with its unique recurring feature.

Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Perilous Vault - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Nevinyrral's Disk - MTG Card versions
Perilous Vault - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Spine of Ish Sah by color, type and mana cost

Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Machine - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Colossus - MTG Card versions
Lotus Guardian - MTG Card versions
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Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Chromatic Orrery - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Dragon - MTG Card versions
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Darksteel Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Lancer - MTG Card versions
Solarion - MTG Card versions
Triskelavus - MTG Card versions
Platinum Angel - MTG Card versions
Sphinx-Bone Wand - MTG Card versions
Myr Battlesphere - MTG Card versions
Aether Searcher - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim of the Fires - MTG Card versions
Hexplate Golem - MTG Card versions
Mishra's War Machine - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Machine - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Colossus - MTG Card versions
Lotus Guardian - MTG Card versions
Wondrous Crucible - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Chromatic Orrery - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Dragon - MTG Card versions
Pentavus - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Death-Mask Duplicant - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Lancer - MTG Card versions
Solarion - MTG Card versions
Triskelavus - MTG Card versions
Platinum Angel - MTG Card versions
Sphinx-Bone Wand - MTG Card versions
Myr Battlesphere - MTG Card versions
Aether Searcher - MTG Card versions
Pilgrim of the Fires - MTG Card versions
Hexplate Golem - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
RR LegacyLegacy Showcase Challenge 2024-02-18
Other ShopsOther Shops VintageOther ShopsVintage League 2024-02-17

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Spine of Ish Sah is among MTG cards that provide significant card advantage. By destroying any permanent, it allows you to dictate the board state, potentially wiping out an opponent’s key card or threat. Furthermore, its unique ability to return to your hand after going to the graveyard makes it a reusable resource, offering recurring advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While it does not directly produce mana or tokens, Spine of Ish Sah can provide indirect resource acceleration. By eliminating a problematic land or mana-producing creature, it can delay your opponent’s progression. Alternatively, by using other cards to sacrifice Spine of Ish Sah, you could create a loop to generate any beneficial effects that trigger when artifacts enter or leave the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Spine of Ish Sah can be utilized effectively during any phase of the game, assuming you have the necessary mana. Its strong effect, combined with the ability to continually return to your hand, may contribute towards stealing the initiative and gaining control during the game progression.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Spine of Ish Sah may have an impressive ability, it does come with its own set of drawbacks. The cards most significant con is that it does not have a self-contained discard mechanism. This forces you to have a discard outlet on your deck to get rid of it when the need arises, often leading to potential complicated game scenarios or low resources when you least expect it.

Specific Mana Cost: Spine of Ish Sah carries a specific mana cost that may present a challenge. The Spine costs an exact seven colorless mana to cast— a requirement that may limit the strategies and the variety of decks that can optimally utilize this powerful artifact.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The other major disadvantage of using Spine of Ish Sah is its relatively high mana cost. Seven mana for a single-use removal effect is significantly costly, particularly when there’s an array of more mana-efficient removal options floating around in the competitive landscape of Magic the Gathering. The value of the Spine lies in its potential reusability, but getting to that point requires considerable investment.


Reasons to Include Spine of Ish Sah in Your Collection

Versatility: Spine of Ish Sah is a powerful artifact card that fits into a variety of decks. Its ability to destroy any permanent, whether a creature, enchantment, land, or even a planeswalker, gives it a wide range of applications in many game situations.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to return to hand after it is put into the graveyard presents great combo potential. It synergizes well with cards that can sacrifice it or with decks that emphasize artifact recursion, creating endless opportunities for resource exploitation and tactical gameplay

Meta-Relevance: In a meta rife with potent permanents and proliferate strategies, Spine of Ish Sah’s permanent removal ability can be a crucial tactical component. Its ability to disrupt opponents and continuously recycle makes it highly relevant in diverse meta environments.


How to Beat

The Spine of Ish Sah is a compelling artifact card in Magic: The Gathering, acclaimed for its destructive capabilities. This artifact’s hidden strength lies in its ability to re-enter the battlefield after being put into the graveyard, as rule states it must return to its owner’s hand if it’s sent from the battlefield to the graveyard.

However, counteracting the Spine of Ish Sah can be strategic. You can nullify its comeback by using exile effect or counterspell cards such as Scavenger Grounds or Negate. While the Scavenger Grounds land card can take away the Spine permanently by exiling it, the Negate spell card can disrupt its casting, and force your opponent into a corner.

Another effective strategy to beat Spine of Ish Sah is to use artifact control cards like Karn, the Great Creator or Shenanigans. While Karn can hinder its destructive property, the sorcery Shenanigans can repeatedly destroy the Spine, forcing your opponent to invest more resources to bring it back.

In summary, while the Spine of Ish Sah is a formidable artifact in MTG, with strategic planning and the right set of cards, it’s possible to control and even outdo its efficacy.


BurnMana Recommendations

Focused on enhancing your MTG deck with versatile and impactful cards? Spine of Ish Sah should be on your radar. With its unmatched flexibility in removing any permanent and its resilience by bouncing back to your hand, it can steer the game in your favor. Dive into the world of deck-building strategies as you incorporate this unique artifact and explore its synergies and potential combos. Elevate your gameplay and tackle various meta environments with confidence. Harness the power of Spine of Ish Sah and other pivotal cards by joining us for in-depth insights and advanced tactics to thrive in your next MTG challenge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Spine of Ish Sah MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Commander 2013, 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 Spine of Ish Sah and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Spine of Ish Sah Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-02-04Mirrodin BesiegedMBS 1362003NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 2602003NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 2722015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
42018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 2202015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
52022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1621997NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3832015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Spine of Ish Sah has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-06-01 Spine of Ish Sah's last ability doesn't allow you to sacrifice it. You must find another way to get Spine of Ish Sah into the graveyard.