Synod SanctumHow it works & interactions with other cards

Saving Your Permanents

The first ability of Synod Sanctum costs two mana and requires you to tap it to exile a permanent you control. This is a targeted ability, meaning you must choose the permanent when you activate it. Because it only targets permanents you control, you can use it to dodge removal spells or board wipes directed at your creatures, enchantments, or even lands.

Mass Restoration

The second ability is where the magic happens. By paying two mana and sacrificing Synod Sanctum, you return every card previously exiled by this specific artifact back to the battlefield under your control. Note that if Synod Sanctum leaves the battlefield and returns, it is considered a new object and will not be able to return cards exiled by its 'previous life'.

Strategic Timing

Common mistakes involve forgetting that the cards return under your control regardless of who owned them originally, provided you controlled them when they were exiled. Additionally, since the sacrifice is part of the cost for the second ability, opponents cannot respond by destroying the Sanctum to prevent the cards from returning once you have initiated the activation.

Interaction examples

Protecting Your Mana Rocks

Sol Ring

If an opponent casts a spell to destroy all artifacts, you can respond by paying two mana and tapping Synod Sanctum to exile your Sol Ring. The Sol Ring is moved to the exile zone and is no longer on the battlefield to be destroyed. Later, you can sacrifice the Sanctum to bring the Sol Ring back.

Resetting Tapped Artifacts

Arcane Signet

You can tap Arcane Signet for mana, then use that mana plus two more to activate Synod Sanctum, exiling the Signet. If you then sacrifice the Sanctum in the same turn, the Arcane Signet returns to the battlefield untapped and ready to be used again, effectively filtering your mana or untapping your resource.