Hold the Line MTG Card


Hold the Line delivers crucial defensive support when combating aggressive opponents during their attack phase. The card’s white mana specificity may restrict its inclusion to certain decks, implying a limited versatility. Despite a steep mana cost, Hold the Line’s strategic value in the right circumstances can be game-defining.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

Blocking creatures get +7/+7 until end of turn.

"Forgive me, Master Kami, but in the interest of my people I must halt your advance."


Cards like Hold the Line

Hold the Line is a strategic defense card in Magic: The Gathering, often likened to other combat trick staples. A notable analog is Fortify, which fortifies your creature’s defense but, in contrast to Hold the Line, also has the option to strengthen offense. Hold the Line exclusively boosts defense, offering a formidable +7 to toughness during the turn it is played, this powerful fortification excels during your opponent’s attack phase.

Comparing further, we encounter Shielded Passage, a card that serves as a defense mechanic by preventing all damage to a single creature. While more targeted than Hold the Line, it lacks the widespread protection the latter provides across all creatures. Additionally, we can look at Brave the Elements, which offers protection for white creatures from a chosen color, affecting not just defense but also combat dynamics by enabling potential unblockable attacks.

Factoring in these comparisons, Hold the Line remains a unique and potent choice for players needing a broad defensive play during critical battle moments. Its specificity in bolstering toughness makes it a reliable card to preserve your forces and hold off opposing threats.

Fortify - MTG Card versions
Shielded Passage - MTG Card versions
Brave the Elements - MTG Card versions
Fortify - MTG Card versions
Shielded Passage - MTG Card versions
Brave the Elements - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Hold the Line by color, type and mana cost

Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Oblation - MTG Card versions
Wing Shards - MTG Card versions
Reverse Damage - MTG Card versions
Army of Allah - MTG Card versions
Holy Light - MTG Card versions
Morale - MTG Card versions
Blood of the Martyr - MTG Card versions
Piety - MTG Card versions
Martyrdom - MTG Card versions
Harsh Justice - MTG Card versions
Kor Chant - MTG Card versions
Just Fate - MTG Card versions
Waylay - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Honor - MTG Card versions
Radiant's Judgment - MTG Card versions
Abolish - MTG Card versions
Restrain - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Strands - MTG Card versions
Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions
Teferi's Protection - MTG Card versions
Oblation - MTG Card versions
Wing Shards - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Playing Hold the Line in Magic the Gathering provides a unique advantage by boosting the defensive capabilities of your creatures during a critical turn. This can be a game-changer in situations where board superiority is in question, potentially nullifying your opponent’s aggression and preserving your card presence on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: While Hold the Line doesn’t directly provide mana or tokens, its cost-effectiveness is a form of indirect resource acceleration. By only spending three mana to significantly increase your creatures’ defense, you allocate your resources more efficiently, leaving mana available for other strategic plays within the same turn or the next.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Hold the Line allows for surprise factor and versatility. It enables players to wait until the most opportune moment during the combat phase to strengthen their creatures, often turning the tide of battle when the opponent least expects it. This strategic flexibility can catch adversaries off guard, leading to favorable trades or thwarting lethal attacks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Hold the Line can be an unexpected game-changer during combat, it does not come without a price. One often overlooked downside is the situation when it lands in your hand while already low on cards. If you’re out of options and counting on every card to turn the tide, the requirement to discard can force uncomfortable decisions and undermine your strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Hold the Line’s mana cost is solely in white, thereby anchoring it firmly within white decks or those that can accommodate white mana without issue. Decks that don’t run white may miss out on this card’s potential, limiting its versatility across the broad spectrum of deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands three white mana, Hold the Line can sometimes feel like a heavy expenditure, especially when juxtaposed against other cards with lower mana requirements but equally impactful battlefield effects. This can be particularly challenging in the early game phases or in a match where mana efficiency is paramount.


Reasons to Include Hold the Line in Your Collection

Versatility: Hold the Line is an instant that can blend seamlessly into a variety of decks, notably those aiming to strengthen their defense strategies. With the ability to significantly boost creatures’ toughness, it can turn the tide during an opponent’s attack phase.

Combo Potential: Its ability to affect all blocking creatures can be paired with cards that trigger upon blocking or damage prevention. This creates opportunities for effective combinations that can deter opponents from initiating future attacks.

Meta-Relevance: In a game scenario where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Hold the Line serves as an excellent countermeasure. It can fortify your creatures against incoming swarms of attackers, helping to maintain board presence and ensuring your stability throughout the match.


How to beat

“Hold the Line” is a powerful defensive tool for any MTG player aiming to fortify their position on the battlefield. Countering this card can be as strategic as the anticipation built into the spell itself. Engaging with cards that disrupt your opponent’s board presence before they can stabilize is your best bet against this card. Look into spells that can manage the swarm of creature tokens it aims to bolster or sweep away the line before it’s held firm. Using direct removal spells, board wipes, or even leveraging your own counter spells to nullify this card before it can impact the game will help ensure that your strategy remains unimpeded by your opponent’s defensive measures. Timing is critical when facing down decks that utilize “Hold the Line”, so staying one step ahead and applying consistent pressure can help break through the defensive setup that this card supports.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hold the Line MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning, 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 Hold the Line and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Hold the Line Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2014-09-05. Illustrated by Ron Spears.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 132003NormalBlackRon Spears
22014-09-05Duel Decks: Speed vs. CunningDDN 662015NormalBlackRon Spears

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hold the Line has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal