Battle Hymn MTG Card


Battle Hymn - Avacyn Restored
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Released2012-05-04
Set symbol
Set nameAvacyn Restored
Set codeAVR
Number128
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byNils Hamm

Key Takeaways

  1. Battle Hymn’s instant speed allows for surprise tactics and strategic mana pool increases.
  2. Fuels spellcasting or threat deployment via rapid resource acceleration from creature counts.
  3. Lacks discard synergy, binds to red mana, and requires numerous creatures for maximum benefit.

Text of card

Add to your mana pool for each creature you control.

"A church is just wood and walls. A congregation is the faithful praising the angels." —Kolman, elder of Gatstaf


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although “Battle Hymn” itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it effectively converts your creature presence into a burst of mana, which can then be used to cast other draw spells or deploy more threats, maintaining or expanding your options.

Resource Acceleration: “Battle Hymn” is exemplary in resource acceleration. By tapping into the power of your amassed creatures, it generates a hefty sum of red mana. This boost can swing the momentum of the game by enabling a large, game-changing spell or a critical mass of smaller spells in a single turn.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of “Battle Hymn” provides strategic flexibility, allowing you to respond to the changing battlefield. You can surprise an opponent during their end step or right before your turn begins, ensuring that you have a substantial pool of mana at the ready for immediate use.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Battle Hymn can provide a burst of mana, it lacks a discard mechanic, which can be a disadvantage for strategies that synergize with those effects, such as jump-start or madness.

Specific Mana Cost: Battle Hymn’s cost is pinned specifically to one red mana. Although this seems minimal, it can be restrictive and may not fit seamlessly into multi-colored or colorless-centric decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although it is not prohibitively expensive at one red mana, when quantifying the card’s return on investment in generating red mana per creature you control, the card often needs a substantial number of creatures in play to outweigh alternatives that might have a more consistent or higher yield.


Reasons to Include Battle Hymn in Your Collection

Versatility: Battle Hymn is a card that adapts smoothly into a variety of red-based decks, offering an instant boost in mana to fuel everything from creature swarms to game-ending spells. Its application is not limited to a single strategy, making it a flexible choice for deck builders.

Combo Potential: For those who revel in intricate plays, Battle Hymn can serve as a key component in explosive turns, working seamlessly with cards that untap lands, or in decks that produce numerous creatures, to amass an enormous mana pool in the blink of an eye.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where speed and efficiency are crucial, Battle Hymn shines by allowing players to accelerate their game plan. It’s particularly valuable in metas where the tempo can shift quickly, and seizing the moment is often the difference between victory and defeat.


How to Beat

Battle Hymn is a unique card in the realm of MTG, revered for the instant burst of mana it can generate. It fits perfectly into strategies centered around casting multiple spells in a single turn or powering out a game-changing spell significantly earlier than usual. Battle Hymn shines in decks filled with numerous cheap creatures, turning each one into a potential source of explosive mana.

To effectively counteract Battle Hymn, card disruption and strategic timing are crucial. Employ spells that can remove or neutralize creatures before Battle Hymn can be cast. Use instant-speed removal or board wipes to reduce the number of creatures on the field, directly limiting the mana that Battle Hymn could produce. As Battle Hymn depends on the quantity of creatures you control, targeted removal, or countering creature spells before they hit the board are practical approaches to dismantle Battle Hymn strategies.

Strategically, it’s essential to anticipate the turn when your opponent might cast a game-changing spell fueled by Battle Hymn’s mana and prepare a countermeasure. Keep up counter magic or play creatures that can block and trade with the opponent’s creatures, denying them the creatures needed to maximize Battle Hymn’s potential.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deep into the gameplay dynamics of “Battle Hymn” and its role in MTG strategies that thrive on the swift and impactful use of mana. Whether you’re building a deck around creature swarms or aiming for that game-turning spell, understanding the card’s strengths and applications can be pivotal. Consider if the card aligns with your deck’s strategy and if the potential mana surge can tip the scales in your favor. For those looking for an edge in their next match, learning to leverage “Battle Hymn” effectively could be your path to dominance. Delve into strategy discussions and expert insights to make every card in your collection count.


Cards like Battle Hymn

Battle Hymn is an intriguing mana acceleration spell in Magic: The Gathering, allowing players to create red mana equal to the number of creatures they control. It echoes the effect of another popular card, Mana Echoes, although the latter is focused on creature types and can potentially generate more mana depending on the situation. While Battle Hymn provides an immediate pulse of red mana, Mana Echoes offers a versatile range depending on the board state.

Looking at an alternative like Brightstone Ritual, the resemblance is clear. This card also produces red mana for each Goblin on the field, essentially acting as a tribal version of Battle Hymn. While it’s constrained to Goblins, in a dedicated Goblin deck, it can be equally or even more explosive. Conversely, Battle Hymn doesn’t limit itself to a single creature type, offering a broader application in various decks.

When comparing these spells, each has its niche, but Battle Hymn stands out for its ability to fit into any deck that aims to amass a wide creature presence. It’s this flexibility and the potential for a significant mana surge that make Battle Hymn a notable card in Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of red spells.

Mana Echoes - MTG Card versions
Brightstone Ritual - MTG Card versions
Mana Echoes - Onslaught (ONS)
Brightstone Ritual - Onslaught (ONS)

Cards similar to Battle Hymn by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Fists of the Anvil - MTG Card versions
Release the Ants - MTG Card versions
Magma Jet - MTG Card versions
Seismic Shudder - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Shatter - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Word of Blasting - Ice Age (ICE)
Incinerate - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Guerrilla Tactics - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Aleatory - Mirage (MIR)
Orcish Catapult - Astral Cards (PAST)
Blood Frenzy - Tempest (TMP)
Falter - Urza's Saga (USG)
Shattering Pulse - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Flowstone Strike - Nemesis (NEM)
Starstorm - Onslaught (ONS)
First Volley - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Surging Flame - Arena League 2006 (PAL06)
Psychotic Fury - Dissension (DIS)
Sudden Shock - Time Spiral (TSP)
Fists of the Anvil - Tenth Edition (10E)
Release the Ants - The List (PLST)
Magma Jet - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Seismic Shudder - Zendikar (ZEN)
Fling - Magic 2012 (M12)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Battle Hymn MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Battle Hymn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Battle Hymn has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2012-05-01 Battle Hymn uses the stack and can be responded to. The amount of mana you add to your mana pool is based on the number of creatures you control when Battle Hymn resolves.

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