Bonds of Faith MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 5
2013-09-06 - Number 24
2016-02-26 - Number 2
2019-11-07 - Number 39
2021-08-26 - Number 55
2023-03-21 - Number 3
2020-09-26 - Number DDQ-2
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 as long as it's a Human. Otherwise, it can't attack or block.
"What cannot be destroyed will be bound." —Oath of Avacyn
Cards like Bonds of Faith
Bonds of Faith is a versatile Aura enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that can either be wielded as a boon for your own creatures or as a hindrance to an opponent’s. When comparing it to other cards in MTG, Pacifism is a card that comes to mind, effectively neutralizing an opponent’s threat by preventing it from attacking or blocking. However, Bonds of Faith stands out for its dual-functionality, since it can also act as a buff for your own Human creatures, increasing their attack and defense capabilities.
Another card that echoes the duality of Bonds of Faith is Arrest. Like Pacifism, Arrest prevents a creature from attacking or blocking, but it also disables the creature’s activated abilities, which could be a pivotal move in numerous scenarios. Yet, it lacks the upside of potentially buffing your own forces. On the flip side, Ethereal Armor is a card that solely strengthens your creatures by providing a bonus to power and toughness for each enchantment you control, enhancing their offensive and defensive stats. Unlike Bonds of Faith, it does not offer any utility as a control card.
Ultimately, Bonds of Faith provides a unique blend of utility in one package, making it an interesting choice in MTG’s vast array of enchantments for both offensive enhancements and defensive tactics.
Cards similar to Bonds of Faith by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Bonds of Faith stands out as a versatile card offering both enhancement for your creatures and potential control over your opponent’s board. By buffing your own human creatures or downgrading an opponent’s attacker or blocker, you adjust the tempo in your favor. This utility can tilt the scales, often resulting in a crucial two-for-one scenario where you protect your assets while disrupting enemy lines.
Resource Acceleration: Though Bonds of Faith is not a direct source of mana acceleration, it contributes to resource acceleration in a strategic sense. Enhancing your human creature can lead to faster and more efficient damage dealing, potentially accelerating your path to victory. By controlling the pace and keeping key creatures in play longer, you’re indirectly speeding up your game plan.
Instant Speed: While Bonds of Faith is an aura that operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the game is immediate and palpable. The moment it lands, it either enhances your strategic position or negates an opponent’s threat. Its instant-like effect upon resolution also allows for surprise combat tricks during your turn, potentially altering combat outcomes in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Bonds of Faith doesn’t have a discard requirement, this factor often impacts cards in trading card games, reducing hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Bonds of Faith requires one white mana, which means it is exclusively a fit for white or multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a player’s arsenal.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although not exorbitantly priced, Bonds of Faith does have a mana cost that might compete with other two-mana spells. Players need to consider whether its effects warrant a slot over other efficient removal or buff options.
Reasons to Include Bonds of Faith in Your Collection
Versatility: Bonds of Faith serves two useful purposes in a single card. It acts as both an enchantment to boost one of your own creatures, particularly Humans, and as a means to pacify opponents’ larger threats that aren’t Human.
Combo Potential: This card works well in decks built around Human synergies or those that focus on detainment to control the board. Its ability to switch roles depending on board state can lead to surprising combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature strategies fluctuate, having an adaptable card like Bonds of Faith can help you stay ahead. It fits efficiently in a meta with a prevalence of Human decks or where neutralizing big non-Human creatures is essential.
How to beat
Bonds of Faith is a versatile card that can either boost one of your own creatures or serve as a control piece against your opponents in Magic: The Gathering. This dual functionality makes it a unique challenge when facing it across the battlefield.
One effective tactic to outmaneuver Bonds of Faith is by employing instant-speed creature removal or bounce spells after an opponent has cast it on their creature. This approach can turn their enchantment into a liability, as they may end up with neither the creature nor the enchantment. Additionally, leveraging creatures with hexproof or shroud can neutralize the threat of Bonds of Faith being used as a pacifying agent since it cannot target them.
Furthermore, strategic deck building is key. Including enchantment removal cards like Disenchant or Naturalize can directly counter Bonds of Faith, liberating any constrained creatures and providing you with tempo advantage. It’s important to anticipate such enchantments and prepare accordingly, which will grant you the upper hand in matches where Bonds of Faith is commonly played.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bonds of Faith MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters, 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 Bonds of Faith 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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Printings
The Bonds of Faith Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 5 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 2 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 24 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 3 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 2 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 39 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | DDQ-2 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | ||
| 6 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle | |
| 7 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows of the Past | SIS | 3 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Steve Argyle |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bonds of Faith has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bonds of Faith card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-09-22 | Once the enchanted creature has been declared as an attacking or blocking creature, causing it to stop being a Human won’t remove it from combat. It will lose the +2/+2 bonus, however. |