Holy Armor MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 23
1993-10-04 - Number 24
1993-12-01 - Number 24
1993-12-10 - Number 24
1993-12-10 - Number 24
1994-04-01 - Number 23
1994-04-01 - Number 23
1994-06-21 - Number 23
1995-04-01 - Number 29
1995-04-01 - Number 29
2022-11-28 - Number 23
2022-11-28 - Number 320
| Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains +0/+2. oo W Target creature gets extra +0/+1 until end of turn.
Cards like Holy Armor
Holy Armor is a classic enchantment spell for any Magic: The Gathering player who wants to boost their creature’s defense. It’s often compared to other protective spells such as Ethereal Armor, which not only gives a toughness boost but also an attack boost based on the number of enchantments you control. Unlike Holy Armor, Ethereal Armor is valued for converting enchantment abundance into offensive power.
Another enchantment vying for deck space is Shield of the Oversoul. This card gives a creature not only a buff to toughness and power but also confers indestructible if the creature is green, and flying if it’s white, providing versatility and protection against a broader range of threats. However, the key difference lies in Holy Armor’s variable toughness boost thanks to its flexibility with its mana investment feature.
Comparatively, Holy Armor stands out for its simplicity and accessibility, especially to new players, and remains a reliable addition for defensive strategies. When assessing armor-like enchantments in MTG, Holy Armor serves as a fundamental piece for players looking to safeguard their creatures against combat damage without the complexities of additional abilities.
Cards similar to Holy Armor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Holy Armor lends a strategic edge in long-drawn matches by offering a persistent enhancement to your creatures. The utility of buffing toughness provides a formidable defense, essential in maintaining board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although it doesn’t directly generate mana or Treasure tokens, equipping Holy Armor is a one-time investment for an ongoing effect. This cost-effective upgrade translates into resource savings over multiple turns, leaving you free to allocate mana elsewhere.
Instant Speed: The capacity to cast Holy Armor at instant speed gives players the flexibility to adapt their strategy on the fly. By being able to respond to your opponent’s moves or end-of-turn plays, it transforms into a tactical tool that can create surprise advantages and shields from untimely removals or combat tricks.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Holy Armor demands a particular mana investment to be played. It requires one white mana which restricts it to decks that run white mana sources, potentially limiting its versatility across the wide array of MTG decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although costing only a single white and one generic mana, in the realm of MTG, there are a multitude of options for protecting creatures. Other spells and enchantments provide greater defensive benefits or additional abilities at a similar or only slightly higher cost, making Holy Armor a less efficient choice in many scenarios.
Discard Requirement: It’s important to note that while Holy Armor itself does not have a discard requirement, equipping your creature with only this enchantment can become a disadvantage. In games where players must discard down to hand size or when facing opponents who force discards, having a card like Holy Armor as opposed to more impactful ones can hinder your gameplay strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Holy Armor offers a flexible defense boost, capable of fitting into various white decks that prioritize fortification of their creatures. Its ability to safeguard key creatures against combat damage or removal makes it a handy tool in diverse situations.
Combo Potential: Alongside cards that capitalize on enchantments, Holy Armor can be part of synergistic interactions. It works well with cards designed to benefit from enchanting creatures, or with mechanics like Constellation, amplifying the impact of each enchantment played.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive tactics prevail, Holy Armor can be unexpectedly relevant. Its low casting cost and the defensive edge it provides can help stabilize the board, allowing for a more controlled transition into the later stages of the game.
How to beat
Holy Armor is a classic enchantment from Magic: The Gathering’s earlier sets, offering a creature an added layer of defense. To overcome a creature boosted by Holy Armor, focused removal spells are your best allies. Cards such as Disenchant or Naturalize allow you to directly target and destroy Holy Armor itself, stripping the creature of its protection.
Alternatively, bypassing Holy Armor’s defense boost is an option. Employing creatures with flying or unblockable can ignore the fortified ground blocker altogether. Additionally, cards that reduce a creature’s toughness to zero, like Fatal Push or Grasp of Darkness, effectively neutralize the Holy Armor-enchanted creature regardless of its increased toughness.
Tactically speaking, anticipate your opponent’s move to cast Holy Armor and retain mana for instant-speed removal spells. Controlling the battlefield and managing resources cleverly will ensure that the additional padding Holy Armor provides becomes inconsequential in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Holy Armor MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Holy Armor and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Holy Armor Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by Melissa A. Benson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 23 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 24 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 24 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 24 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 24 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 23 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 23 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 23 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 29 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 29 | 1993 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 11 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 23 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 12 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 320 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Holy Armor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |