Show of Valor MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Key Takeaways

  1. Enhances battlefield longevity and aids in maintaining an advantageous board state without extra mana costs.
  2. Offers a combat edge by using it at instant speed for unexpected plays, disrupting opponent strategies.
  3. Demands precise mana allocation, influencing deck construction and limiting its integration into varied decks.

Text of card

Target creature gets +2/+4 until end of turn.

"Duty, honor, and valor are either in your heart or they are not. You will never know for certain until you are tested." —Ajani Goldmane


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Show of Valor doesn’t directly let you draw cards, it can potentially save a creature during combat, effectively maintaining your card presence on the battlefield. This can lead to gaining an upper hand by preserving key creatures which are integral to your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Show of Valor directly doesn’t accelerate resources, but by keeping your creatures alive in combat, it allows you to maintain your board state and keep applying pressure without having to spend additional mana on replacing lost creatures.

Instant Speed: The strength of Show of Valor is amplified by its instant speed, enabling you to surprise an opponent during combat. This unpredictability can shift the tides of battle in your favor, potentially leading to more favorable trades or even deterring opponents from attacking in the first place.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Show of Valor does not have a discard requirement, it’s important to note in the context of deck building that including cards that do have such a requirement means you must be prepared to forgo a potentially valuable card in hand, diminishing your strategic options.

Specific Mana Cost: Show of Valor necessitates a precise mana investment of one white mana and one mana of any color. This can limit deck versatility as it must be paired with a mana base adequately supporting white mana production, potentially narrowing the range of decks where it can be effectively utilized.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an instant card that provides a creature with +2/+4 until end of turn, Show of Valor’s mana cost is on the higher end when compared with other combat tricks in MTG. This might detract from its inclusion in decks seeking maximum efficiency and impact for their mana expenditure.


Reasons to Include Show of Valor in Your Collection

Versatility: Show of Valor is a useful card for decks that seek to protect key creatures or make decisive combat moves. It can be slotted into both aggressive and control builds as a way to tip the scale during battles.

Combo Potential: This instant has synergies in strategies focused on bolstering creatures temporarily. It pairs well with cards that track the number of times you cast a spell or with mechanics like battalion, where combat prowess is paramount.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where combat tricks can change the outcome of a match, Show of Valor finds its place. It’s especially pertinent in limited formats or creature-heavy metas, providing a surprise boost that can turn the tides.


How to beat

Show of Valor is one of those instant spells that can catch an opponent by surprise during combat in Magic: The Gathering, temporarily boosting a creature’s power and toughness significantly. Put simply, it takes an ordinary creature and turns it into a formidable blocker or fierce attacker temporarily. To navigate around this card, strategic planning is key. Consider holding back removal spells until after your opponent has cast Show of Valor to maximize efficiency, negating their boost. Additionally, having creatures with first strike or deathtouch can deter an opponent from using the spell offensively. If your opponent is relying on Show of Valor defensively, employing non-damage based removal or using spells that reduce the target creature’s toughness to zero can circumvent the temporary buff entirely.

Understanding your own deck’s flow and having a mental checklist of potential threats are crucial in MTG. Knowing when to go all-in on an attack or when to hold back can be the difference between victory and defeat. As with many spells in MTG, timing your interactions and keeping an eye on your opponent’s mana can give you an edge in predicting and countering cards like Show of Valor effectively.


Cards like Show of Valor

Show of Valor has its own niche in Magic: The Gathering as a combat trick that can swiftly change the tide of battle. It’s reminiscent of cards like Giant Growth, which also offers a temporary boost in power and toughness but does so with a smaller mana investment for an equally significant increase. However, Show of Valor provides an additional point of toughness, which could be the decisive factor in surviving combat.

Similarly, Righteousness is another card that bolsters a creature’s ability to withstand an attack, though it is vastly more potent in the amount of toughness granted. It’s worth noting, though, that Righteousness is limited to blocking creatures, whereas Show of Valor can be applied more flexibly. Knightly Valor is yet another parallel, offering a long-term advantage with the addition of a 2/2 Knight creature token, though at a higher cost and as an enchantment rather than an instant.

While evaluating these spells, Show of Valor holds a balanced position for players needing a moderate, cost-effective boost in both power and toughness, offering an advantageous mix of instant speed and dual attribute enhancement, suitable for various tactical situations.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Righteousness - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Righteousness - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Knightly Valor - Return to Ravnica (RTR)

Cards similar to Show of Valor by color, type and mana cost

Disenchant - MTG Card versions
Divine Offering - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Potion - MTG Card versions
Lightning Blow - MTG Card versions
Sacred Boon - MTG Card versions
Invulnerability - MTG Card versions
Remedy - MTG Card versions
Rhystic Shield - MTG Card versions
Samite Ministration - MTG Card versions
Shield Wall - MTG Card versions
Life Burst - MTG Card versions
Shelter - MTG Card versions
Equal Treatment - MTG Card versions
Aura Extraction - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Razor Barrier - MTG Card versions
Test of Faith - MTG Card versions
Echoing Calm - MTG Card versions
Bathe in Light - MTG Card versions
Dawn Charm - MTG Card versions
Disenchant - The Brothers' War (BRO)
Divine Offering - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Alabaster Potion - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Lightning Blow - Ice Age (ICE)
Sacred Boon - Ice Age (ICE)
Invulnerability - Tempest (TMP)
Remedy - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Rhystic Shield - Prophecy (PCY)
Samite Ministration - Invasion (INV)
Shield Wall - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Life Burst - Odyssey (ODY)
Shelter - Eternal Masters (EMA)
Equal Treatment - Torment (TOR)
Aura Extraction - Onslaught (ONS)
Raise the Alarm - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Razor Barrier - Mirrodin (MRD)
Test of Faith - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Echoing Calm - Darksteel (DST)
Bathe in Light - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Dawn Charm - Commander Legends (CMR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Show of Valor MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Magic 2014, 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 Show of Valor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Show of Valor Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2019-07-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 342003normalblackAnthony Palumbo
22013-07-19Magic 2014M14 332003normalblackAnthony Palumbo
32019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 3112015normalblackMicah Epstein

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Show of Valor has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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