Dedicated Martyr MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 16 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dave Dorman |
Text of card
o W, Sacrifice Dedicated Martyr: You gain 3 life.
"If he's so willing to suffer for his cause, then by all means, let us oblige him." —Cabal Patriarch
Cards like Dedicated Martyr
Dedicated Martyr offers a unique dynamic to gameplay in Magic: The Gathering, standing side by side with other self-sacrifice creatures. It shares a kinship with Doomed Traveler, which also has the ability to leave something behind after its demise – in this instance, a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying. This ability conveys resilience and provides a tactical defensive advantage, akin to Dedicated Martyr’s own self-sacrifice for life gain.
Comparably, Martyr of Sand proffers a similar concept where sacrificing itself can substantially boost your life total, possibly even more than the Dedicated Martyr, depending on the number of white cards in your hand. However, the Martyr of Sands requires a reveal of white cards as an additional cost, which can be a strategic tell for your opponent.
Furthermore, we have Selfless Spirit, which offers a more controlling aspect by protecting your team from destructive effects when sacrificed. While not directly impacting life totals, the protective shield it gives to your other creatures can be indirectly as valuable as the life gained from Dedicated Martyr’s ability.
Exploring the different approaches to self-sacrifice effects in MTG, the Dedicated Martyr is a considerable option for those looking to bolster their life total while maintaining a presence on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Dedicated Martyr by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dedicated Martyr is designed to provide significant card advantage, allowing tactical deck manipulation. By sacrificing it, you not only filter through your deck faster but also potentially draw into more powerful options, keeping the card flow in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: This compelling card has the potential to accelerate your resources. Upon its activated ability usage, it puts you in an advantageous position, paving the way for bigger plays earlier in the game by indirectly ramping up your mana usage.
Instant Speed: One of the standout features of Dedicated Martyr is its ability to operate at instant speed. This flexibility grants you the control to respond swiftly to your opponent’s actions, making it a formidable tool for both offense and strategic defense during crucial moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dedicated Martyr demands that you discard another card when you want to utilize its ability. This can be particularly challenging when your hand is already running low, requiring you to make tough choices about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: This card needs a precise combination of mana to cast, including white, which may not always align with your deck’s mana base, especially in multi-colored decks that rely heavily on other colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Looking at the card’s abilities in relation to its mana cost, there are alternative cards offering similar benefits for less mana. This can make Dedicated Martyr less appealing in competitive play where efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Dedicated Martyr in Your Collection
Versatility: Dedicated Martyr is known for its flexibility in deckbuilding. This card can be a key component in life-gain strategies or used as a creature that can protect more valuable ones on the battlefield by acting as a sacrificial shield.
Combo Potential: With its ability to self-sacrifice and provide you with life points, Dedicated Martyr pairs well with effects that trigger on life gain or when a creature dies, bolstering various combo avenues and enhancing synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to disrupt aggressive strategies by providing instant life gain, Dedicated Martyr can be a tactical inclusion against decks that aim to win through swift damage. As the meta shifts towards aggressive plays, it maintains its relevance by thwarting those plans.
How to beat
Dedicated Martyr is a unique card that offers players a strategic advantage by sacrificing itself for the benefit of other creatures. Understanding its ability to protect key creatures on the battlefield is vital in planning a successful strategy against it. One effective approach is to utilize spells that force a player to sacrifice a creature, such as Diabolic Edict or Chainer’s Edict. This tactic bypasses the Martyr’s own sacrifice ability by giving your opponent no choice but to sacrifice it.
Alternatively, consider employing board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation, which indiscriminately clear the board, nullifying the Dedicated Martyr’s protective role. Counterspells are also a strong defense, wholly preventing the Martyr’s ability from being activated. Remember that instant-speed interaction is crucial, as Dedicated Martyr can be sacrificed in response to targeted removal. Adjusting your play to anticipate the timing of its sacrifice will significantly diminish its impact on the game.
Dedicated Martyr provides a challenge, but by employing tactical removal and timing your responses appropriately, you can mitigate its effectiveness and maintain control over the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dedicated Martyr MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Dedicated Martyr 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 Dedicated Martyr has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |