Balm of Restoration MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 1994-11-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Fallen Empires |
| Set code | FEM |
| Number | 82 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Margaret Organ-Kean |
Text of card
o1, oc T: Sacrifice Balm of Restoration to gain 2 life or prevent up to 2 damage to any player or creature.
"Not all armies enjoyed the services of a medic. For them, Balm of Restoration was that much more valuable." —*Sarpadian Empires, vol. I*
Cards like Balm of Restoration
Balm of Restoration stands out as a unique tool among life gain and mana restoration cards in Magic: The Gathering. This often-overlooked artifact card offers some flexibility that is hard to find in similar cards. When examining counterparts like Pristine Talisman, we notice that while Pristine Talisman allows for incremental life gain and mana generation, Balm of Restoration can provide a notable amount of life or mana in a single activation. This one-shot potential can be pivotal in key moments during gameplay.
Another artifact that shares the spotlight with Balm of Restoration is Fountain of Youth. Both cards are inexpensive and can aid in life gain. Yet, Fountain of Youth demands no additional cost to utilize its ability, differing from Balm of Restoration’s two mana and sacrifice requirement. However, Balm of Restoration allows for a higher burst of life, setting it apart as a potentially game-saving play.
The strategic implications of Balm of Restoration in comparison to cards like Pristine Talisman or Fountain of Youth are certainly paramount. It secures a role for players seeking to control the pace of their life gain and manage their resources with precision, adding a layer of depth to their gameplay in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Balm of Restoration by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Balm of Restoration stands out in MTG for its ability to offer a unique type of card advantage. Instead of drawing cards, it allows players to return a card from their graveyard to their hand, ensuring that key spells or creatures can be reused. This element is specifically powerful in formats where high-value cards dictate the pace of the match.
Resource Acceleration: While Balm of Restoration itself does not add mana to your mana pool, the reuse of powerful mana rocks or acceleration spells from your graveyard can indirectly contribute to your resource acceleration. This can be crucial in the mid to late game where the reinstatement of a ramp spell, for instance, could provide the necessary edge for a game-winning play.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Balm of Restoration allows for agile game play. Players can wait until the end of an opponent’s turn before deciding whether to use it, maintaining the element of surprise and ensuring mana is used efficiently. Whether it’s for salvaging an essential piece after a board wipe or simply optimizing your turn, the flexibility of instant speed is a considerable pro for any MTG player.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Balm of Restoration makes its holder discard another card upon usage, which could deplete valuable hand assets and diminish strategic flexibility during the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires a precise combination of one generic and one white mana to activate, making it potentially restrictive for decks not heavily invested in white mana resources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation fee that sums up to two mana, Balm of Restoration’s cost to benefit ratio may not appeal to all players, especially when compared to other lower-cost cards that provide similar or increased levels of life gain or resource recovery.
Reasons to Include Balm of Restoration in Your Collection
Versatility: Balm of Restoration offers flexibility in many deck configurations, particularly for those needing life gain or mana-fixing options. This card can be a crucial sideboard choice or a mainstay in decks looking to stabilize against aggressive opponents.
Combo Potential: The ability to gain life or generate additional mana on demand makes Balm of Restoration a compatible piece in various combos. It supports strategies that capitalize on life total manipulation or require instant mana generation for combo execution.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games can swing with bursts of direct damage or in a meta with a heavy presence of burn decks, Balm of Restoration can be a key card to thwart opponent strategies. Its versatility can help navigate your deck through diverse and shifting metagames.
How to beat
The Balm of Restoration is a versatile artifact in Magic: The Gathering that can be quite troubling for players confronting it. Offering both life gain and mana flexibility, it’s essential to understand the strategies needed to overcome this card. Similar to other artifacts, cards that allow you to target and destroy artifacts, or even exile them, are your best bet. Direct artifact removal such as Naturalize, puts you in a strong position, dismantling your opponent’s support system.
Against the Balm of Restoration, you may also consider using counter spells to prevent it from hitting the battlefield. This way, you eliminate the threat before it can start causing trouble. Timing is critical, and denial strategists should keep counter magic at the ready. Depending on your playstyle, employing a more aggressive game plan that focuses on reducing your opponent’s life total quickly can also negate the benefits conferred by Balm of Restoration, essentially outpacing the card’s ability to impact the game.
Managing to beat the Balm of Restoration relies on a mix of preparedness and aggression. Knowing when to disrupt your opponent’s plays and understanding the tempo of the game will guide you to victory over this unique MTG artifact.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Balm of Restoration MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires, 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 Balm of Restoration and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Balm of Restoration has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |