Blessing of Leeches MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Enchantment — Aura |
Abilities | Enchant, Flash |
Released | 2005-02-04 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
Set code | BOK |
Number | 62 |
Frame | 2003 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Rebecca Guay |
Text of card
You may play Blessing of Leeches any time you could play an instant. At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life. : Regenerate enchanted creature.
Cards like Blessing of Leeches
Blessing of Leeches is an intriguing enchantment that offers continuous protection for your creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It finds kinship with cards like Fatal Attraction, which offers ongoing effects for creatures. However, Blessing of Leeches diverges by focusing on defense with its life-saving Regenerate ability, unlike Fatal Attraction’s damage-infliction angle. Both enchantments cost three mana, but Blessing of Leeches demands a black mana, narrowing its deck placement.
Regenerating enchantments such as Dark Privilege also spring to mind; they share the recurring safeguarding trait, allowing creatures to withstand potential threats. Dark Privilege adds a sac-outlet utility, but it lacks the free activation that Blessing of Leeches boasts, as it allows players to regenerate without mana cost at the ready. Another contemporary is Broken Fall, which provides repetitive creature defense. Although it returns to hand upon use, offering flexibility, its absence on the battlefield post-activation makes it less steadfast compared to the unwavering presence of Blessing of Leeches.
Assessing the full spectrum of protective enchantments, Blessing of Leeches holds a unique position with its zero-cost activation, making it a reliable safety net during any stage of the game, enhancing its tactical advantage for players intent on safeguarding their most valuable creatures.
Cards similar to Blessing of Leeches by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Blessing of Leeches may not directly allow you to draw cards, but its ability can preserve your creatures, indirectly maintaining your card presence on the battlefield. Keeping your creatures alive ensures you don’t lose resources and can continue to press the advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Blessing of Leeches doesn’t produce additional mana, it helps in keeping your key creatures on the board. This means you’ll spend less mana recasting creatures, effectively accelerating your resource management by saving you the need for reinvestment.
Instant Speed: The flash mechanic allows you to cast Blessing of Leeches any time you could cast an instant. This flexibility lets you wait until the last possible moment, such as in response to removal or lethal damage, to surprise your opponent and change the tide of combat in your favor.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Blessing of Leeches requires a specific mana cost that includes black mana. This can restrict the card’s inclusion in decks as it necessitates a commitment to black mana sources, potentially limiting the card’s versatility in multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only three mana might seem reasonable, within the quick-paced environment of many formats, the mana investment for Blessing of Leeches could be used for more impactful cards. It competes with other three-mana spells that may offer immediate board presence or game-changing effects.
Discard Requirement: While Blessing of Leeches itself does not require a discard, it’s often compared to other protective effects that come at no additional cost. Players might need to discard other cards to keep up with the pace of the game, thus rendering the upkeep free flashback less advantageous in scenarios where economizing cards in hand is critical.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Blessing of Leeches provides a unique advantage by being able to attach to any creature without a mana cost during your upkeep. This makes it an adaptable card for many types of decks, particularly those that require staying power for key creatures on the board.
Combo Potential: As an aura that can be played at instant speed, it has great synergy with strategies that emphasize protecting important creatures or abusing enter-the-battlefield triggers. The life loss from the upkeep can also be an asset in decks that manipulate life totals for benefit.
Meta-Relevance: In a setting where creatures with impactful abilities dominate, maintaining their presence on the battlefield can be crucial. Blessing of Leeches is relevant in such metas, providing a shield against removal spells that can otherwise turn the tide of the game.
How to beat
Blessing of Leeches is a card that prompts unique interactions in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to regenerate a creature at a moment’s notice. This can lead to a sense of invincibility for key creatures, making it a thorn in the side of opponents. To effectively counter this card, players should consider using removals that don’t destroy, such as those that exile or bounce, to bypass the regeneration shield. Cards like Path to Exile, Unsummon, or even time-honored options like Swords to Plowshares remove the threat without triggering the Blessing’s regenerative property.
Apart from direct removals, strategies such as applying -1/-1 counters can also diminish the card’s usefulness by reducing the creature’s toughness to zero, which regeneration cannot prevent. Persistent damage over time, lockdown effects that prevent the creature from attacking or blocking, and enchantment removal spells like Disenchant also serve as efficient methods to counteract Blessing of Leeches’ advantages on the battlefield. Understanding the nature of the card and preparing your deck with answers to its protective capabilities is crucial for maintaining control against an opponent who relies on it.
BurnMana Recommendations
The landscape of MTG is ever-evolving, and with cards like Blessing of Leeches, players are offered unique tactics to enhance their gameplay. Understanding how this card functions as a defensive tool can significantly impact your strategy, especially in games where protecting key creatures turns the tide. Whether you’re looking to refine your deck or seeking advice on how to use Blessing of Leeches effectively, or if you’re curious about parallel strategies and cards, our treasure trove of insights is at your fingertips. Tap into our reservoir of knowledge and discover advanced plays that can catapult your MTG experience to new heights. Learn more and stay a step ahead in your next duel.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Blessing of Leeches MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa, 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 Blessing of Leeches 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Blessing of Leeches has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.