Heat of Battle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1998-03-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Stronghold |
| Set code | STH |
| Number | 88 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Matthew D. Wilson |
Text of card
Whenever any creature blocks, Heat of Battle deals 1 damage to that creature's controller.
"Takara, it's me!" shouted Starke. It was no use—she obeyed Volrath.
Cards like Heat of Battle
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Heat of Battle stands out as a unique enchantment, offering a strategic twist for players who prefer red aggro strategies. It finds parallels with cards like Raid Bombardment and Cavalcade of Calamity, which both reward players for attacking with numerous small creatures. Raid Bombardment triggers whenever a creature with power 2 or less attacks, granting direct damage to the opponent. Cavalcade of Calamity, meanwhile, has a similar trigger but requires the attacking creature to have exactly 1 power.
What distinguishes Heat of Battle is its reactive damage dealing capability, penalizing opponents each time they block. This can discourage defensive plays and complement decks that already incentivize aggressive strategies. Another comparable card is Orcish Oriflamme, which, although not directly punitive towards defenders, escalates the terror by increasing the attacking power of your creatures, potentially leading to more pressured opponent blocking and, thus, synergy with Heat of Battle’s effect.
While there are several cards in Magic: The Gathering that synergize with a swarm of attackers, Heat of Battle’s unique discouragement of enemy blocks can tip the scales in a heated match. It’s a corner piece in a meticulously crafted assault strategy, weaving seamlessly into the tapestry of MTG’s heated combat dynamics.
Cards similar to Heat of Battle by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Heat of Battle ensures that every clash with your opponent becomes a potential source of drawing extra cards. Each time a creature you control becomes blocked, it allows you to tap into your deck and pull out more options, giving you a significant edge over your opponent by replenishing your hand simply by engaging in combat.
Resource Acceleration: By converting combats into possible card draws, Heat of Battle can indirectly speed up your resource acquisition. While it doesn’t directly generate mana, it helps you dig through your deck to find those key lands or ramp spells faster, ensuring that you’re not missing a beat when it comes to developing your board presence.
Instant Speed: enabling you to catch an opponent off-guard during the heat of combat. The ability to play it when it can have the most impact, either by disrupting an opponent’s strategy or by maximizing your own combat advantage, adds a layer of tactical depth to each game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Heat of Battle asks players to discard a card as part of its activation. While this can be leveraged in certain strategies, it can also backfire, leaving you with fewer options immediately afterwards.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is restrictive as it requires red mana. This specificity can make it challenging to fit into multicolored decks that may not always have the right mana available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Heat of Battle has the potential to swing a match in your favor, the mana cost to get it onto the battlefield may be steep compared to other cards that provide similar effects or that can more consistently impact the game state early on.
Reasons to Include Heat of Battle in Your Collection
Versatility: Heat of Battle is a unique red enchantment that fits well into aggressive decks. Its ability to deal damage to opponents whenever a creature enters the battlefield under their control makes it a disruptive presence against token strategies or decks that rely on a multitude of creature spells.
Combo Potential: This card works beautifully in synergy with cards that restrict creature abilities or punish summoning. In combination with cards that force opponents to cast creatures, Heat of Battle can serve as a constant source of damage, pressuring your opponent’s life total turn after turn.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to turn the tide against creature-heavy decks, Heat of Battle can be a meta-dependent powerhouse. If you’re facing a swarm of creature-based decks, having Heat of Battle in your collection will provide a solid game plan to whittle down your adversary’s defenses while you press for the win.
How to Beat
Heat of Battle presents a constant challenge on the board for MTG enthusiasts. Engaging creatures in combat triggers this enchantment, causing each blocking or blocked creature to deal 1 damage to its controller. This card can shift the dynamics of a game, urging players to think twice before committing creatures to battle. Navigating this roadblock requires strategic adaptability and a reevaluation of combat decisions.
One effective strategy to counter Heat of Battle is to incorporate creatures that benefit from being dealt damage, such as those with the enrage mechanic, or using cards designed to safeguard your life total. Spells that can remove enchantments directly, such as Naturalize or Disenchant, offer straightforward solutions to eliminate the threat. Additionally, opting for non-combat strategies to win, such as direct damage or alternate win conditions, can minimize the impact Heat of Battle has on your game plan.
Ultimately, ensuring a versatile deck that can either bypass the combat phase or neutralize problematic enchantments is key to maintaining an upper hand when facing obstacles like Heat of Battle. Being prepared with countermeasures and adaptable strategies will keep you one step ahead of this challenging card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heat of Battle MTG card by a specific set like Stronghold, 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 Heat of Battle 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 Heat of Battle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |