Blood of the Martyr MTG Card

Provides card advantage by forcing opponents into unfavorable trades or card loss. Enhances defense by protecting key creatures at critical moments without extra mana. Instant speed adds strategic depth, offering game-changing combat or removal responses.

The Dark (DRK)
1994-08-01 - Number 2

Chronicles (CHR)
1995-07-01 - Number 4

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

For the remainder of the turn, you may redirect damage done to any number of creatures to yourself instead.

The willow knows what the storm does not: that the power to endure harm outlives the power to inflict it.

Cards like Blood of the Martyr

Blood of the Martyr is an intriguing piece in Magic: The Gathering’s array of damage prevention cards. Its closest relative is perhaps Martyrdom, which allows a player to prevent damage to creatures by sacrificing others. Blood of the Martyr, however, provides a unique twist by allowing you to convert any amount of unpreventable damage to a single creature until the end of the turn. This offers defensiveness and versatility without requiring outright creature sacrifices.

Another card worth mentioning is Fanatical Devotion. It shares the concept of sacrificing creatures to save others but is restricted to preventing solely creature destruction. Unlike Blood of the Martyr, it doesn’t offer the neat package of converting all damage at a moment’s notice. Finally, we can look to Prismatic Strands, which offers a broader protection by preventing all damage from a chosen color, not just to a single target but potentially to all your creatures—though without the permanent damage conversion that characterizes Blood of the Martyr.

When evaluating these protective strategies, Blood of the Martyr offers a unique defensive mechanism, enabling surprising plays and showcasing its distinct place among damage prevention cards in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Blood of the Martyr by color, type and mana cost

Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Blood of the Martyr offers a unique form of card advantage by potentially turning any creature into a threat that requires an answer. This can force opponents to use removal spells on their own creatures, indirectly leading to a card advantage for you.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly offering resource acceleration, Blood of the Martyr can save your key creatures from destruction. This allows you to retain your valuable resources on the board and continue to press your advantage without spending additional mana that turn.

Instant Speed: Operating at instant speed gives Blood of the Martyr a strategic edge. You can cast it in response to removal spells or combat damage, making it a versatile tool in protecting your board state or disrupting your opponent’s plans at crucial moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Casting Blood of the Martyr requires you to potentially sacrifice a creature you control, which could lead to a significant disadvantage on your battlefield presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana investment, requiring three white mana which confines it to primarily mono-white or two-color decks, therefore limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three white mana, certain players might consider its cost high for the defensive nature of the effect provided, especially when compared to other low-cost defensive options available.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Blood of the Martyr proves to be a flexible card, often used to protect key creatures from removal or to turn the tide in combat scenarios. Its ability to be cast at instant speed allows for surprise plays that can be a game-changer.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with strategies focused on life totals or sacrifice for benefit. It can also empower decks that take advantage of “death triggers” or need a way to redirect damage at a pivotal moment.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where direct damage spells or creature removals are prevalent, Blood of the Martyr can be a safety net for your important creatures, potentially disrupting opponents’ plans and preserving your board state.

How to Beat Blood of the Martyr

Blood of the Martyr is a white instant that works like a safety net for creatures on the battlefield. Although it can’t be used to directly protect a player’s life total, its ability to transfer damage from creatures to itself can disrupt your offensive strategy. To play around it, consider baiting this spell out before launching your pivotal attacks. Utilizing removal spells that exiles or cause loss of life, rather than deal damage, can effectively sidestep the protection that Blood of the Martyr provides.

Also, keep in mind the timing of your opponent’s mana availability. Because it’s an instant, Blood of the Martyr can be cast at any time, making it seem daunting to strategize against. However, by applying pressure and forcing your opponent to use their mana resources in response to other threats, you can navigate around this card’s impact. It’s essentially a game of chess, requiring anticipation of your opponent’s moves and shielding your most valuable pieces from potential sacrifice.

In essence, beating Blood of the Martyr requires a mix of strategic baiting, alternative removal methods, and mana pressure to ensure this card doesn’t turn the tide against you in key moments of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Blood of the Martyr MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Chronicles, 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 Blood of the Martyr and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Blood of the Martyr Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 1995-07-01. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-08-01	The Dark	DRK		2	1993	Normal	Black	Christopher Rush
2	1995-07-01	Chronicles	CHR		4	1993	Normal	White	Christopher Rush

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Blood of the Martyr has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal