Barkshell Blessing MTG Card

Its instant speed and hybrid mana cost enhance flexibility and combat strategy in green/white decks. A discard requirement and specific mana cost can limit its utility in non-green/white decks. Despite a potentially high mana cost, its versatility can bolster mid-game tempo and trickery.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Conspire
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Number	224
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Steven Belledin

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Conspire (As you play this spell, you may tap two untapped creatures you control that share a color with it. When you do, copy it and you may choose a new target for the copy.)

Cards like Barkshell Blessing

Barkshell Blessing is a unique instant in the vast landscape of Magic: The Gathering, standing out among hybrid mana spells. Its kinship is close to cards like Sheltering Light, providing a compact but potent form of protection. Both cards keep a creature safe from harm, with Barkshell Blessing offering the additional boon of a +1/+1 counter. This not only shields your creature but also leaves a lasting impact on the battlefield.

Comparatively, another card, Gods Willing, grants protection and scrys 1, allowing for a peek into upcoming draws but without the permanent power boost. This can be crucial in maintaining an edge during play. Vines of Vastwood is another similar card, which can also serve to protect and buff a creature; however, its ability to scale and entirely negate targeting from opponents differentiates it from Barkshell Blessing. Vines can even be kicked for a larger effect, setting the stage for more dramatic turns.

Analyzing these options, Barkshell Blessing has a firm place in the array of protective spells within Magic: The Gathering, particularly for strategies emphasizing countering and creature longevity. The hybrid mana cost adds adaptability, making it a versatile pick in decks aiming for resilience and aggression.

Cards similar to Barkshell Blessing by color, type and mana cost

Strength of the Coalition - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Barkshell Blessing can be a surprise element during combat, potentially saving your creature while taking down an adversary, essentially negating one of your opponent’s cards while keeping yours on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Even though Barkshell Blessing isn’t a direct means of ramping up resources, its hybrid mana cost allows for flexible casting within multicolored green/white decks, potentially freeing up mana for other strategic plays in your turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Barkshell Blessing at instant speed gives a strategic edge, allowing you to react to your opponent’s moves in real-time, potentially altering the outcome of combat phases or misdirecting their removal spells.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must discard another card in order to cast Barkshell Blessing which can hinder your hand advantage. It forces you to make potentially unwanted trade-offs and can set back your overall game strategy if you’re not careful about resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a hybrid mana cost, which includes both green and white mana. While hybrid mana adds flexibility, it might be challenging for those who run decks not centered around these colors. It can become a dead draw in situations where you’re unable to produce the right type of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost, Barkshell Blessing could be considered costly for the type of effect it provides. In the rapidly evolving game context of MTG, utilizing four mana for a single-target, temporary boost might not be as impactful as other lower-cost options available which can tip the scales more efficiently or offer more versatile benefits.

Reasons to Include Barkshell Blessing in Your Collection

Versatility: Barkshell Blessing shines through its flexibility, fitting seamlessly into decks that value instant-speed interaction. This card can be a pivotal tool whether you’re planning to shield a key creature from removal or needing that extra kick to win combat.

Combo Potential: In the right build, Barkshell Blessing acts as a linchpin for combos, amplifying the power of creatures that benefit from buff spells or harnessing the surprise element to turn the tides in your favor at a critical moment.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting MTG landscape, having Barkshell Blessing in your arsenal could prove advantageous. It’s particularly good in metas where tempo plays and combat tricks dictate the pace of play, allowing you to keep up or outpace opponents.

How to beat

Barkshell Blessing is an instant card in Magic: The Gathering that can catch many players off guard, creating a swift swing in the power dynamic during combat. It confers a boost in both power and toughness as well as the crucial hexproof ability, which can suddenly turn a chump blocker into a formidable obstacle or ensure a key creature survives to swing the tide in its controller’s favor.

To effectively counteract the impacts of Barkshell Blessing, consider prioritizing removal spells that don’t target creatures, such as board wipes which circumvent hexproof entirely. Alternatively, playing cards that strip a player of their mana or hand can severally limit their options to cast such protective spells. Awaiting the right moment to engage your removal or pressure can also force the opponent into a position where they’re unable to keep up enough mana to cast Barkshell Blessing, thus leaving their creatures vulnerable.

In essence, adaptation and strategic planning are key to overtake the advantages presented by Barkshell Blessing. Ensuring that you’re equipped to handle unexpected turns and maintain control over the game’s pace will typically elevate your position, placing you a step ahead of opponents relying on combat tricks for victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Barkshell Blessing MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Barkshell Blessing and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Barkshell Blessing has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal