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Gandalf's Sanction

RedBlue

2 printings listed in our catalog, from newest to oldest.

Gandalf's Sanction, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth printing
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth LTR · No. 659 2023-11-03

Card text

{1}{U}{R}
Sorcery
Gandalf's Sanction deals X damage to target creature, where X is the number of instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard. Excess damage is dealt to that creature's controller instead.
There was a crack, and the staff split asunder in Saruman's hand, and the head of it fell down at Gandalf's feet.
EDHREC rank #8257 Uncommon Not on the Reserved List
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The 2 printings

All, with their prices ↓

Standard ∅ Not legal
Pioneer ∅ Not legal
Modern ✓ Legal
Legacy ✓ Legal
Vintage ✓ Legal
Pauper ∅ Not legal
Commander ✓ Legal
Oathbreaker ✓ Legal
Brawl ✓ Legal
Historic ✓ Legal
Timeless ✓ Legal
Alchemy ∅ Not legal
Explorer ∅ Not legal
Gladiator ✓ Legal
Penny ∅ Not legal
Duel ✓ Legal

Official rulings

4 rulings · in English, source Scryfall

Once you've determined how much damage is excess, Gandalf's Sanction simultaneously deals damage to the creature and to its controller. This damage may be modified by replacement or prevention effects.

2023-06-16 · Wizards of the Coast

Excess damage caused by a spell or ability is similar to how combat damage from a creature with trample is handled. Start with the amount of damage being dealt to the creature and determine what is "lethal." This is the creature's toughness minus the amount of damage that it already has marked on it, but ignoring any replacement or prevention effects that will modify this damage. Also ignore whether the creature has an ability such as indestructible that will result in it not being destroyed by this damage.

2023-06-16 · Wizards of the Coast

Gandalf's Sanction is not yet in your graveyard when you determine the value of X.

2023-06-16 · Wizards of the Coast

If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Gandalf's Sanction tries to resolve, the spell won't resolve. It won't deal damage to any player.

2023-06-16 · Wizards of the Coast

All printings

Gandalf's Sanction, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth printing
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth
LTR · #659
Uncommon
Tapt's Canadian calculation. How to read these prices
Everything Games
Gandalf's Sanction, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth printing
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth
LTR · #208
Uncommon
Tapt's Canadian calculation. How to read these prices
Desert City Games