Glory-Bound Initiate MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 16
2017-04-29 - Number 16s
2020-08-13 - Number 21
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | Exert |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
You may exert Glory-Bound Initiate as it attacks. When you do, it gets +1/+3 and gains lifelink until end of turn. (An exerted creature won't untap during your next untap step.)
"Fly as an arrow through the trials, and never waver in your course." —Oketra, god of solidarity
Cards like Glory-Bound Initiate
Delving into the myriad of creatures within the MTG universe, Glory-Bound Initiate stands out for its ability to become a powerful attacker. Comparable to other exert creatures, like Gust Walker, which also turns into a formidable force upon exertion. However, Glory-Bound Initiate gains lifelink, a substantial advantage allowing you to gain significant life points during the exertion process. Gust Walker, whereas, offers flying but lacks any additional life-gaining benefits.
When matched against Always Watching, a non-creature card that permanently grants vigilance and a buff to your creatures, Glory-Bound Initiate still shines as it offers the flexibility to exert only when advantageous. Adanto Vanguard is another card that echoes the Initiate’s aggressive nature. Although Vanguard can gain indestructibility, it does so at the cost of life. In contrast, Glory-Bound Initiate can offer a life cushion while exerting pressure on opponents.
In essence, while evaluating the multitude of options within MTG, Glory-Bound Initiate is exceptional among creatures for its dual capability to be an aggressive combatant while bolstering the player’s life total, making it a card that presents a unique edge in battle strategies.
Cards similar to Glory-Bound Initiate by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Glory-Bound Initiate. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Aggro | Legacy | MO82#CS |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Although not a direct card draw mechanic, Glory-Bound Initiate can outpace your opponent by creating a recurring advantage on the battlefield. As a 3/1 creature, it contributes to board presence. When exerted, it elevates the strategic dynamic, forcing your opponent to respond, or face a significant life total swing, which over time can translate to an indirect card advantage through board control.
Resource Acceleration: Glory-Bound Initiate doesn’t directly provide mana ramp or resource acceleration. However, its exert ability can significantly reduce the necessity for other resource commitments each turn to maintain a threatening board state. This allows for the conservation of resources for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: While Glory-Bound Initiate operates at sorcery speed, its exert mechanic can be thought of as an instant-speed decision made during combat. Choosing when to exert the Initiate adds a layer of tactical depth, giving the player the discretion to use it as a powerful attacker or hold it back for defensive capabilities, potentially forcing the opponent to play around it each combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Glory-Bound Initiate doesn’t demand discarding cards, it’s worth considering the strategic cost of exertion. Taking the action to exert and strengthen it means it won’t untap during your next untap step, which can leave you vulnerable or unable to capitalize on board positions.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring white mana can restrict its inclusion to white-centric or two-color decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a broader range of deck types. Players must ensure their manabase can consistently meet this need.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Glory-Bound Initiate’s cost is average at two mana, it competes with other two-drops that may provide immediate benefits or have less conditional mechanics, offering a more valuable play earlier in the game.
Reasons to Include Glory-Bound Initiate in Your Collection
Versatility: Glory-Bound Initiate, a card that can adapt to a variety of deck strategies, shines in those that seek to capitalize on aggressive starts. With its ability to become a 4/4 lifelinker, it fits seamlessly into white-weenie and life-gain archetypes that emphasize early board presence and resilience.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with pieces that augment exert mechanics or benefit from lifelink. Combine it with cards that untap creatures or utilize +1/+1 counters, and suddenly Glory-Bound Initiate becomes a recurring threat that can swing games in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where racing against opponent’s life totals is crucial, the Initiate stands out. It plays an important role in combat by presenting a tough decision for opponents – either take a sizable life swing or use premium removal on what’s effectively a one-time use each turn, leaving the path clear for your other threats.
How to beat
The Glory-Bound Initiate presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to become a significant threat when exerted, providing a substantial power boost. To counteract this formidable creature, it’s essential to employ effective strategies in your game. Control tactics such as pacifism effects or damage prevention spells are particularly potent, as they neutralize the Initiate without triggering its exert ability. Removal spells that bypass triggering abilities, like exile or bounce effects, also serve as clean answers to its presence on the board.
Moreover, the strategic use of blockers can deter the Initiate from attacking. Deploying creatures with high toughness can halt its aggression, forcing your opponent to reconsider attacking or exerting the Initiate. Should the Glory-Bound Initiate become exerted, take advantage of the opportunity to execute strategic plays while it remains tapped and unable to block on the following turn.
Ultimately, through careful planning and the right mix of control spells and tactical defenses, the Glory-Bound Initiate’s advantage can be diminished, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Glory-Bound Initiate MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet 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 Glory-Bound Initiate and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Glory-Bound Initiate Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by David Palumbo.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 16 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 2 | 2017-04-29 | Amonkhet Promos | PAKH | 16s | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 21 | 2015 | Normal | Black | David Palumbo |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Glory-Bound Initiate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Glory-Bound Initiate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | All cards in the Amonkhet set that let you exert a creature let you do so as you declare it as an attacking creature, as do some of the cards in the Hour of Devastation set. You can’t do so later in combat, and creatures put onto the battlefield attacking can’t be exerted. Any abilities that trigger on exerting an attacking creature will resolve before blockers are declared. |
| 2017-04-18 | If an exerted creature is already untapped during your next untap step (most likely because it had vigilance or an effect untapped it), exert’s effect preventing it from untapping expires without having done anything. |
| 2017-04-18 | If you gain control of another player’s creature until end of turn and exert it, it will untap during that player’s untap step. |
| 2017-04-18 | You can’t exert a creature unless an effect allows you to do so. Similar effects that “tap and freeze” a creature (such as that of Decision Paralysis) don’t exert that creature. |