Heart of Light MTG Card


Heart of Light ensures card advantage and can decisively alter combat, bolstering your strategic depth. Its discard requirement and specific mana cost may hinder flexibility in diverse MTG decks. Despite higher mana costs, its protective capabilities make it a worthwhile addition for many.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Text of card

Prevent all damage that would be dealt to and dealt by enchanted creature.

"There is a shining in the mortal heart that even the kami cannot reach." —Sensei Golden-Tail


Cards like Heart of Light

Heart of Light is a unique enchantment in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering damage prevention capabilities that can be pivotal in the right deck. When compared to other enchantments like Pacifism, Heart of Light stands out by completely negating all damage that would be dealt to the enchanted creature, rather than just preventing it from attacking or blocking. This not only disables the creature from offensive and defensive actions like Pacifism but also shields it from damage-based removal spells.

Looking at a similar enchantment, Indestructibility provides the creature with a more robust protection by making it immune to all effects that would destroy it. Although Indestructibility offers a broader defense, Heart of Light is more mana-efficient. Then, there’s the resemblance to Bubble Snare, which can be cast for less mana and has the option to keep a creature tapped down. However, it lacks the comprehensive damage prevention provided by Heart of Light.

Ultimately, while each of these enchantments serves a unique role in a player’s arsenal, Heart of Light occupies its niche particularly well. It grants Magic: The Gathering players a cost-effective way to protect key creatures from a myriad of threats.

Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Indestructibility - MTG Card versions
Bubble Snare - MTG Card versions
Pacifism - MTG Card versions
Indestructibility - MTG Card versions
Bubble Snare - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Heart of Light by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Heart of Light card is a boon for players looking to maintain a healthy grip of options in their hand. When it comes to sustaining card advantage, this enchantment grants added resilience against opposing strategies that aim to dismantle a player’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially broadening your mana availability, Heart of Light can contribute to resource acceleration. Albeit not directly providing extra mana, its beneficial effect may save mana in the long run, which can be redirected towards other pivotal plays that propel you ahead.

Instant Speed: A key aspect of Heart of Light is its ability to alter combat outcomes at instant speed. This flexibility allows players to react swiftly to threats, adapting to the evolving battlefield without the need to commit mana during their own turn. It’s this instantaneity that turns the tide by offering protection exactly when it’s needed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Heart of Light can be a tricky card to play since it comes with the stipulation that you have to discard another card. This could potentially set you back if you’re already struggling for hand size, leaving you at a disadvantage against opponents who maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for white mana can restrict the flexibility of Heart of Light. It’s essential in a mono-white deck or one that heavily features white, but it can be less effective and harder to cast in a multi-color deck if the mana base isn’t well-optimized.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost higher than some other protective or control spells, Heart of Light may not be the most efficient choice. Players often look for lower-cost alternatives that can be played earlier in the game or that offer additional benefits or versatility.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Heart of Light is a flexible card that can be integrated into a variety of decks. Its ability to prevent all damage to a creature makes it a strong defensive option for creature-based strategies or decks focusing on key creatures.

Combo Potential: This card has excellent synergy with creatures that have tap abilities or need to survive combat to trigger their effects. It can also combine with effects that encourage blocking or entering combat, protecting your pivotal creatures while they perform critical roles.

Meta-Relevance: Given its utility in shielding creatures from harm, Heart of Light is particularly relevant in metas dominated by direct damage and removal spells. It provides a persistent layer of protection that can help keep your important creatures on board and maintain your presence in the game.


How to beat

Heart of Light is a unique enchantment that can be a real challenge on the battlefield, turning any creature into a formidable wall by negating all damage it would deal. However, while Heart of Light might seem hard to overcome, there are effective strategies to dismantle its protective cloak. Players can resort to using removal spells that bypass the enchantment’s effect, such as targeted exile spells or ones that force a sacrifice, like Path to Exile or Diabolic Edict. Another successful tactic is to take control of the enchanted creature, thus turning the tables and using the once-protected asset against your opponent.

Enchantment destruction is also a vital part of the strategy. Cards capable of clearing the board of enchantments, like Disenchant or Revoke Existence, can be game-changers. Utilizing abilities that bounce the creature back to its owner’s hand also sidesteps Heart of Light’s effect, nullifying its damage prevention ability and opening up the opportunity for a direct attack. Overall, knowing your deck and having a contingency plan for enchantment control can ensure that Heart of Light does not become an insurmountable obstacle during gameplay.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Heart of Light MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and Tenth Edition, 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 Heart of Light and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Heart of Light Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by Luca Zontini.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-02-04Betrayers of KamigawaBOK 62003NormalBlackLuca Zontini
22007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 192003NormalBlackLuca Zontini
32007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 19★2003NormalBlackLuca Zontini

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Heart of Light has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal