Heroism MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1994-11-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Fallen Empires |
| Set code | FEM |
| Number | 6 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Poole |
Text of card
: Sacrifice a white creature to have attacking red creatures deal no damage during combat this turn. The attacking player may pay o R for an attacking creature to have it deal damage as normal.
Cards like Heroism
Heroism is a noteworthy spell in the MTG universe that briefly elevates the abilities of a targeted creature. When compared to other spells offering temporary buffs, such as Moment of Heroism, Heroism offers a unique angle—simultaneously bolstering power and offering protection from a color of your choice. While Moment of Heroism focuses on increasing power and toughness plus lifelink, it does not provide the same level of strategic flexibility as Heroism with its color protection component.
Examining spells like Gods Willing, we encounter another one-mana spell that grants protection from a color and scry 1 effect, though without affecting a creature’s power and toughness. This indicates a player opting for Heroism is looking for a more aggressive tactic, choosing to not only safeguard their creature but also to increase its combat efficiency. Lastly, we have Shelter, which provides protection from a color and card draw. Shelter costs more mana than Heroism and, while offering a longer-term advantage with the card draw, does not instantly enhance a creature’s offensive capabilities.
In assessing Heroism against similar MTG cards, it stands out due to its dual-purpose design, enabling both aggressive combat plays and tactical defenses, an illustrious choice for players looking to make a significant impact with a single, low-cost spell.
Cards similar to Heroism by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Heroism enables you to potentially shield multiple creatures from harm while buffing them, setting the stage for advantageous trades or preserving key pieces on your board.
Resource Acceleration: While Heroism itself may not directly generate mana or tokens, its utility in protecting your creatures can allow for sustained attacks and defense, indirectly contributing to your resource acceleration through maintained board presence.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Heroism at instant speed offers a significant tactical edge. It allows players to react to threats or opportunistically support their creatures during combat, often catching an opponent unprepared and swinging the momentum of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Heroism demands a card to be discarded from your hand to activate its effect. This can be a strategic setback when your hand is already depleted or when every card is crucial for your gameplay.
Specific Mana Cost: Heroism’s cost is tailored to a white mana-heavy deck. Players running multi-colored decks may find it challenging to allocate resources for this card, potentially hindering its playability in diverse deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its mana value, Heroism may be seen as an expensive investment, especially when compared with other cards that offer similar or more impactful benefits for less mana. This could affect your pace and momentum during the game, leaving you potentially vulnerable to faster, more mana-efficient strategies.
Reasons to Include Heroism in Your Collection
Versatility: Heroism is a card that offers flexibility in deckbuilding, finding its place in decks that aim to protect key creatures and enable aggressive strategies. Its ability to grant indestructible status on a whim makes it applicable in various board situations.
Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with strategies looking to capitalize on casting spells targeting their creatures. It can be an essential piece in decks that trigger abilities upon casting such spells, potentially leading to powerful combo finishes.
Meta-Relevance: Heroism’s utility shines in an environment where removal spells are abundant. It helps safeguard your creatures from targeted destruction, which can be crucial in maintaining board presence against control archetypes.
How to beat
Heroism in MTG presents a unique challenge with its ability to embolden a single creature with newfound strength and protection. Dealing with this enchantment requires strategy, as it makes targeted removal less effective. It would be wise to focus on board wipes that don’t target individual creatures, as these can circumvent the protection Heroism provides.
One could also turn to counter spells, stopping Heroism before it ever hits the battlefield. This preemptive measure ensures your opponent’s creature won’t become the unstoppable force Heroism aims to create. Alternatively, imposing edict effects that force a player to sacrifice a creature can be a clever way to skirt around Heroism’s defenses, compelling the enchanted creature’s departure without targeting it directly.
Adapting to Heroism’s game-changing effect means recalibrating your approach, focusing on global solutions rather than pinpoint tactics. In doing so, you stand a better chance of overcoming the obstacle it poses and steering the game back into your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Heroism MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires, 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 Heroism 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 Heroism has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Heroism card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Paying the Heroism cost to allow a creature to deal damage does not prevent other effects from preventing it from dealing damage. Paying the cost only prevents the Heroism effect. |
| 2004-10-04 | The cost to avoid the penalty must be paid when the ability resolves. You can’t wait until later to do so. |