History of Benalia MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeEnchantment — Saga

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates Knight tokens over turns, building a solid board presence and card advantage.
  2. Specific mana cost restricts use, primarily fitting into white or dual-color decks.
  3. Offers flexibility in deck-building, excelling in Knight synergy and creature strategies.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.) I, II — Create a 2/2 white Knight creature token with vigilance. III — Knights you control get +2/+1 until end of turn.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: History of Benalia provides a consistent build-up of board presence by creating Knight creature tokens over two turns. This stepwise progression translates into a tangible card advantage as it demands multiple resources from an opponent to address each token.

Resource Acceleration: The saga’s third lore counter equips you with a considerable power boost to your knights, potentially accelerating your resource effectiveness. This boost often equates to turning what were already beneficial trades for you into overwhelming advantages.

Instant Speed: Although History of Benalia operates at sorcery speed, its final lore ability enhances your knights at the beginning of your pre-combat main phase. This increment in power and toughness at a crucial moment can create instant speed-like advantages during combat, aligning with the importance of timing in competitive play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ironically, History of Benalia does not necessitate the discarding of cards, so this specific con is not applicable. Always ensure to match card features accurately with their potential downsides.

Specific Mana Cost: One of History of Benalia’s limitations is its specific mana requirement, demanding two white and one colorless mana. This can restrict the card’s inclusion, predominantly fitting into white or two-color decks that can consistently meet the mana requirements without compromising the mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, History of Benalia is at the higher end for an enchantment that commences its impactful state across multiple turns. In faster-paced games, or in formats where the board state can change rapidly, the card may not provide immediate enough impact when competing against lower-cost alternatives that affect the game state upon entering the battlefield.


Reasons to Include History of Benalia in Your Collection

Versatility: History of Benalia provides exceptional flexibility in deck building. It shines in decks that capitalize on Knight synergies and also stands alone as a powerful saga that progresses your board state over several turns.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to churn out Knight creature tokens makes it perfect for strategies that thrive on creature presence. Its final lore counter boosts their power, setting the stage for a potent attack or bolstering your defenses immensely.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, History of Benalia can offer a significant edge. Its ability to create a quick army can match the pace of aggressive decks and the additional buff on the third chapter can swing games in your favor.


How to Beat

The History of Benalia is a powerful Saga enchantment in MTG that can be quite challenging to overcome. This card is known for its ability to create a strong board presence by generating Knight tokens, followed by a significant boost in their power on the final chapter. To effectively counter it, consider utilizing enchantment removal spells such as Disenchant or Mortify that can dispatch the Saga before it fully unfolds. Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God, or Doomskar can clear out the generated tokens, mitigating the impact of the last lore counter.

Timing is critical when dealing with History of Benalia. Keeping counter spells handy for when your opponent casts it can prevent the Saga from taking effect altogether. If the Knights have already entered the battlefield, minimizing their impact by blocking or removing them before the final chapter can be pivotal. Prioritize your removal for the third chapter, when the Knights’ power receives a boost, as that is when they pose the greatest threat. Lastly, strategies that don’t engage the battlefield directly, such as mill or direct damage, can sidestep the conflict with the Knight tokens altogether, focusing on victory through other win conditions.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the MTG realm, cards like History of Benalia can turn the tide of battle with their saga-driven prowess. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of such cards is only the beginning. Enhancing your collection with this multifaceted enchantment can lead to strategic plays and dynamic wins. Consider not just the card advantage it provides but also how it can synergize with your deck’s theme. Take control of the game by employing effective counter strategies against your opponents’ sagas. Armed with this knowledge and a well-tailored deck, you’re ready for any challenge on the battlefield. Ready to enhance your MTG expertise? Dive deeper with us and gain the edge you need for victory.


Cards like History of Benalia

History of Benalia carves its niche in the Magic: The Gathering saga spells spectrum with key distinctions from its counterparts. The card serves as a powerful narrative-driven enchantment, generating token creatures and bolstering them in a crescendo of effects. Its closest analogue is Ethereal Absolution, which also influences creature strength. Unlike History of Benalia, Ethereal Absolution is not limited to Knight tokens and affects all creatures, yet lacks the tiered chapter mechanic.

Additionally, Legion’s Landing shares the flavor of creating creature tokens—specifically, vampire tokens upon entering the battlefield. However, what sets History of Benalia apart is its structured ability boosts over turns, rather than a transform condition. Then there’s Call the Cavalry, also creating two Knight tokens, mimicking part of Benalia’s value. However, it stops there, functioning as a simple one-time spell without additional buffs or narrative progression.

Overall, History of Benalia emerges as a standout in enchantments that create and enhance creatures. Its staged abilities uniquely interact with the board, culminating in a dramatic climax that can shift the momentum of the game, making it a potent choice for decks that capitalize on synergistic play.

Ethereal Absolution - MTG Card versions
Call the Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Ethereal Absolution - Ravnica Allegiance Promos (PRNA)
Call the Cavalry - Dominaria (DOM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase History of Benalia MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria Promos, 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 History of Benalia and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The History of Benalia Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 996692015sagablackAlix Branwyn
22018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 21p2015sagablackNoah Bradley
32018-04-27DominariaDOM 212015sagablackNoah Bradley
42018-04-27DominariaDOM 21y2015sagablackAlix Branwyn
52018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 21s2015sagablackNoah Bradley
62020-09-26The ListPLST DOM-212015sagablackNoah Bradley

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where History of Benalia has restrictions

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

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering History of Benalia card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2018-04-27 A chapter ability doesn’t trigger if a lore counter is put on a Saga that already had a number of lore counters greater than or equal to that chapter’s number. For example, the third lore counter put on a Saga causes the III chapter ability to trigger, but I and II won’t trigger again.
2018-04-27 As a Saga enters the battlefield, its controller puts a lore counter on it. As your precombat main phase begins (immediately after your draw step), you put another lore counter on each Saga you control. Putting a lore counter on a Saga in either of these ways doesn’t use the stack.
2018-04-27 Each symbol on the left of a Saga’s text box represents a chapter ability. A chapter ability is a triggered ability that triggers when a lore counter that is put on the Saga causes the number of lore counters on the Saga to become equal to or greater than the ability’s chapter number. Chapter abilities are put onto the stack and may be responded to.
2018-04-27 If counters are removed from a Saga, the appropriate chapter abilities will trigger again when the Saga receives lore counters. Removing lore counters won’t cause a previous chapter ability to trigger.
2018-04-27 If multiple chapter abilities trigger at the same time, their controller puts them on the stack in any order. If any of them require targets, those targets are chosen as you put the abilities on the stack, before any of those abilities resolve.
2018-04-27 Once a chapter ability has triggered, the ability on the stack won’t be affected if the Saga gains or loses counters, or if it leaves the battlefield.
2018-04-27 Once the number of lore counters on a Saga is greater than or equal to the greatest number among its chapter abilities—in the Dominaria set, this is always three—the Saga’s controller sacrifices it as soon as its chapter ability has left the stack, most likely by resolving or being countered. This state-based action doesn’t use the stack.
2018-04-27 The final chapter ability of History of Benalia affects only Knights you control at the time it resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn or that become Knights later in the turn won’t get +2/+1.

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