Battle Cry MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Instant |
Released | 1995-06-03 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Ice Age |
Set code | ICE |
Number | 5 |
Frame | 1993 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Douglas Shuler |
Text of card
Untap all white creatures you control. Any creature that blocks this turn gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
"In the thick of battle, you must keep your wits about you. Yelling a lot helps, too." —General Jarkeld, the Arctic Fox
Pros of Battle Cry
Card Advantage: Playing creatures with Battle Cry can often provide significant card advantage, as you may be able to trade one creature card for multiple opponent creatures thanks to the attack boost.
Resource Acceleration: With Battle Cry, your creature resources gain better leverage on the battlefield. This ability effectively accelerates the power resource of your creatures, helping you overtake the board faster.
Instant Speed: Although Battle Cry is not an instant, it operates at the speed of combat and triggers as soon as the creature with Battle Cry attacks. This means you can benefit from the power boost during each of your attack phases, similar to having an effect at instant speed.
Cons of Battle Cry Mechanic
Discard Requirement: Battle Cry MTG doesn’t demand card discarding to activate its feature, but tactical playing will likely involve sacrificing other cards. This can potentially limit your moves when you’re dealing with scarce resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Battle Cry mechanic predominantly exists in the red and white factions, which can limit its use outside these color-centric decks. Despite its effectiveness in reinforcing your offensive, it’s less flexible in other mana colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Several MTG cards with Battle Cry ability tend to be on the higher end of the mana curve, making them potentially costly picks for deck inclusion. The benefit of the boosted attack after attacking might not always offset the high initial mana cost.
Reasons to Include Battle Cry in Your Collection
Versatility: Battle Cry is a unique mechanic that can fit into various types of decks, particularly those benefiting from leveraging unified creature attacks. This ability from Mirrodin Besieged set is what makes it a worthy addition, providing new scopes of tactics with aggressive strategies.
Combo Potential: The Battle Cry ability can be combined effectively with other cards or abilities, triggering victories by overwhelming opponents with a wave of powered-up creatures. These synergies transform Battle Cry into a potent force multiplier.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-evolving nature of the MTG meta-game, Battle Cry remains a vital tool against myriad strategies. By encouraging wider attacks, it disrupts decks reliant on selective blocks, adding a fresh layer of strategic depth to your game. In this context, Battle Cry continues to have a significant presence across varied formats.
Similar Cards
The strategy of MTG is greatly intensified by Battle Cry and its comparable cards such as Always Watching and Valor in Akros. Battle Cry, a unique ability that gives other attacking creatures a boost, bears a resemblance with Valor in Akros, which also provides a similar buff to creatures. However, the difference lies in the speed of the enhancement; Battle Cry’s buff is immediate while Valor in Akros’s boost is subsequent.
Another comparison can be drawn to Always Watching, granting a static buff to non-token creatures, alongside providing Vigilance. Although Battle Cry lacks the Vigilance aspect, it shines in multi-creature scenarios due to its collective buffing feature during attack phases.
In conclusion, after examining the characteristics and benefits, Battle Cry holds a commendable place among MTG’s combat-boosting mechanics, making a substantial impact during attacking phases. Considering its tactical nuances, this mechanic proves to be a powerful tool in the field of battle, thus affirming its worth in MTG decks.
How to beat Battle Cry
Battle Cry is well-known in the Magic: The Gathering universe for its potent ability to amplify the power of attacking creatures. It’s akin to shareable pump spells like Inspiring Roar or Rally the Ranks that powers up your team. However, Battle Cry has a sinister twist: the boost is offered only when attacking. As a foe, this peculiarity becomes an opportunity.
Effective counters to this unique offensive mechanic include placing a preference on creatures with higher defence stats, which would be able to withstand and diminish an attack boosted by Battle Cry. Spells that deter or penalize attacking, such as Ghostly Prison and Propaganda, can also help balance the field by necessitating additional mana investment from the Battle Cry user.
Another strategy to subvert Battle Cry’s advantage could be employing cards with the ability to neutralize or redirect the attack. Well-timed use of Fog or Holy Day type effects can nullify a whole attack. Alternatively, using cards such as Deflecting Palm or Comeuppance can turn the amplified assault back onto the opponent.
In essence, while Battle Cry presents a formidable power boost in Magic: The Gathering, careful assessment and strategic counter-measures can effectively neutralize its strength, turning the battlefield to your advantage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating the rich landscapes of Magic the Gathering requires strategy, insight, and a bit of adventure. Whether you’re planning your next big win or fine-tuning your deck for maximum impact, there’s always room to elevate your game. As you continue to delve into the MTG universe, remember that it’s not just about the single triumphs but the continuous journey towards mastery. We invite you to keep exploring this fascinating world, discovering new techniques, and unearthing valuable cards to ensure your next match is more than just a game, but a Big Score. Ready to level up your play? Join us to learn more and become the ultimate MTG champion.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Battle Cry MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Cry 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 Battle Cry has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |