Gird for Battle MTG Card


Enhances two creatures at a low cost for a significant strategic advantage on the battlefield. Integrates well into white strategies and synergy-focused decks using +1/+1 counters. Comparatively less impact against removals, yet, provides a lasting benefit over temporary boosts.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two target creatures.

"You won't need the sword drills, your shields, or my blessing. You'll fight for Sunhome with the truth in your heart." —Aurelia


Cards like Gird for Battle

Gird for Battle is a unique card within Magic: The Gathering’s arsenal of creature buffing spells. Similar to cards like Gather the Townsfolk, which provides a player with multiple creature tokens, Gird for Battle instead focuses on putting +1/+1 counters on creatures you already control. It’s a one-shot spell unlike the repeatable effects found on cards like Honor of the Pure, which provides a consistent boost to your creatures but doesn’t offer the immediate and targeted impact that Gird for Battle can deliver in a single turn.

Another card to compare it to would be Increasing Savagery. Although this card offers a higher number of +1/+1 counters, it comes with a steeper mana cost and doesn’t distribute the counters among multiple creatures. Gird for Battle allows strategic flexibility by enhancing two creatures, perfect for quickly adapting to battlefield conditions. Lastly, the renowned spell Blessing of Might gives a temporary power boost, but Gird for Battle’s counters remain, making it a strategic choice for long-term advantage.

In essence, though Gird for Battle is not the only spell to elevate creature performance in Magic: The Gathering, its low mana cost and immediate two-creature targeting capability position it favorably for players looking to quickly bolster their forces on the battlefield.

Gather the Townsfolk - MTG Card versions
Honor of the Pure - MTG Card versions
Increasing Savagery - MTG Card versions
Gather the Townsfolk - MTG Card versions
Honor of the Pure - MTG Card versions
Increasing Savagery - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Gird for Battle by color, type and mana cost

Visions - MTG Card versions
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False Peace - MTG Card versions
Festival of Trokin - MTG Card versions
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Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Ritual of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Steelshaper's Gift - MTG Card versions
Benediction of Moons - MTG Card versions
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Sunlance - MTG Card versions
Oust - MTG Card versions
Alliance of Arms - MTG Card versions
Wake the Reflections - MTG Card versions
Launch the Fleet - MTG Card versions
Chaplain's Blessing - MTG Card versions
Fragmentize - MTG Card versions
Visions - MTG Card versions
Prophecy - MTG Card versions
False Peace - MTG Card versions
Festival of Trokin - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Wardrobe - MTG Card versions
Empty City Ruse - MTG Card versions
Peach Garden Oath - MTG Card versions
Divine Light - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Ritual of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Steelshaper's Gift - MTG Card versions
Benediction of Moons - MTG Card versions
Gaze of Justice - MTG Card versions
Sunlance - MTG Card versions
Oust - MTG Card versions
Alliance of Arms - MTG Card versions
Wake the Reflections - MTG Card versions
Launch the Fleet - MTG Card versions
Chaplain's Blessing - MTG Card versions
Fragmentize - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Gird for Battle doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it effectively places two +1/+1 counters on your creatures, which can equate to gaining multiple card’s worth of value in terms of creature stats. This can significantly strengthen your board position without depleting your hand of additional resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly accelerating mana resources, Gird for Battle’s low casting cost can be considered a form of resource acceleration. It allows players to develop their board quickly, enabling them to play other spells sooner by not having to spend a large amount of mana on buffs.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Gird for Battle doesn’t benefit from the reactive nature of instant-speed spells. But its strategic placement early in the game can provide immediate enhancement for your creatures, setting the stage for later game maneuvers that can benefit from surprise and tactical advantage.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Gird for Battle has a colored mana requirement in its casting cost which may restrict the decks it can be efficiently played in, particularly outside of white strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its initial cost is low, the benefit provided when compared to other buffing spells might not be as impactful, especially when considering the mana investment for a +1/+1 counter on just two creatures.

Discard Requirement: Unlike some other combat tricks or creature enhancements, Gird for Battle doesn’t come with an added cost of discarding a card, which can be beneficial for maintaining card advantage.


Reasons to Include Gird for Battle in Your Collection

Versatility: Gird for Battle is an exceptional card that seamlessly integrates into a wide array of White decks, particularly those aiming to bolster their creatures’ prowess. Its instant buff to two creatures ensures readiness for combat or unexpected defensive maneuvers.

Combo Potential: This card serves as a catalyst in strategies focused on +1/+1 counters, potentially unlocking powerful synergies with proliferate mechanics or cards that thrive when counters are placed.

Meta-Relevance: Within the current metagame, where tempo can dictate a match’s outcome, Gird for Battle’s low mana cost and immediate impact can swing games in your favor, whether you’re facing aggressive opponents or building momentum against slower decks.


How to beat Gird for Battle

Gird for Battle is a strategic spell within the realm of MTG, designed to quickly bolster your creature forces. When deployed, it places one +1/+1 counter on up to two target creatures, a move that can turn the tide of combat in your favor. However, despite its immediate impact, Gird for Battle can be overcome with careful planning and card selection.

Key to dismantling its effect is the use of spot removals or board wipes. Cards like Doom Blade or Wrath of God can efficiently remove the buffed creatures from the battlefield, nullifying the advantage your opponent gained. Additionally, tricks like bounce spells can reset the creatures to their owner’s hand, forcing them to lose counters and impeding their momentum. Engage with Gird for Battle by prioritizing the control of creature threats and maintaining a responsive hand, putting up an indomitable defense against your adversaries in the game.

To encapsulate, while Gird for Battle presents a formidable challenge by beefing up opponent creatures, a combination of targeted removals, board control, and strategic countering can effectively neutralize this threat, ensuring you maintain dominance on the MTG battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gird for Battle MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Jumpstart, 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 Gird for Battle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Gird for Battle Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jakub Kasper.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 122015NormalBlackJakub Kasper
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1062015NormalBlackJakub Kasper

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Gird for Battle has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-10-05 You can’t target the same creature twice to give it two +1/+1 counters.