Gandalf's Sanction
~$0.22 low · ~$0.58 high
Multicolor. Sorcery
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth #208 · Illustrated by Tatiana Veryayskaya
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth #208 · Illustrated by Tatiana VeryayskayaWhat is Gandalf's Sanction worth?
Highest TCGplayer price
~$0.58
Showcase foil · The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth #659
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TCGplayer market prices in USD, updated October 14, 2026. Each price is for one printing and one finish.
Oracle text
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.
Format legality
All 2 printings of Gandalf's Sanction
| Printing | Rarity | Non-foil | Foil | Cardmarket (EUR) | My collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth ltr #659· 2023Showcaseuncommon· Cardmarket €0.31 | uncommon | $0.40 | $0.58 | €0.31 | |
 The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth ltr #208· 2023uncommon· Cardmarket €0.11 · €0.29 foil | uncommon | $0.22 | $0.30 | €0.11€0.29 foil |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices in USD for each printing and finish, via Scryfall. They are a guide, not an appraisal.
Where to buy Gandalf's Sanction
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Card details
- First printed
- 2023
- Printings
- 2
- Mana value
- 3
- EDHREC rank
- #8,213 on EDHREC (Commander popularity)
- Artist
- Tatiana Veryayskaya
What the codes mean
The small print at the bottom of the The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth card (#208).
0208 · LTR · U · EN
- 0208Collector number: this card's place in the set list.
- LTRSet code for The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth
- UUncommon
- ENPrinted in English
How to read a Magic card: every part and code, on real cards.
Rulings (4)
2023-06-16
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
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
Gandalf's Sanction is not yet in your graveyard when you determine the value of X.
2023-06-16
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.
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