Holy Day MTG Card


Acts as a combat phase disruptor, saving creatures and preserving board presence effectively. Instant speed plays allow for surprise maneuvers and punishment for opponent overextension. Requires specific mana and careful hand management, limiting deck diversity and flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Creatures attack and block as normal, but none deal any damage. All attacking creatures are still tapped. Play any time before attack damage is assigned.

"The day of spirits; my soul's calm retreat/ Which none disturb!" —Henry Vaughan, "Silex Scintillans"


Cards like Holy Day

Holy Day takes its place in the realm of combat trick cards, offering players a unique defensive strategy during the heat of battle. Its immediate comparison is with cards like Fog, which has been a classic go-to for preventing combat damage. While both Holy Day and Fog create a temporary shield, Holy Day is distinct in its exclusivity to white decks, reflecting the color’s theme of protection and order.

Then we have Darkness, a black color pie’s answer to combat mitigation, which works akin to Holy Day but fits into the flavor and strategy of black-based decks. This illustrates Magic: The Gathering’s rich diversity in strategies across different colors. Joining the mix is Ethereal Haze, that not only prevents combat damage but also abilities that creatures could be using to tip the scales, showing how slight variations can broaden strategic options for players.

Essentially, Holy Day represents a crucial tactic in a player’s arsenal, especially for those utilizing white’s defensive capabilities. It shows that even within the common goal of damage prevention, the differences in cards like Fog, Darkness, and Ethereal Haze provide a spectrum of options, ensuring that deck-builders have the flexibility to tailor their defensive strategies according to their overall game plan.

Fog - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Ethereal Haze - MTG Card versions
Fog - MTG Card versions
Darkness - MTG Card versions
Ethereal Haze - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Holy Day by color, type and mana cost

Death Ward - MTG Card versions
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Death Ward - MTG Card versions
Blaze of Glory - MTG Card versions
Healing Salve - MTG Card versions
Purelace - MTG Card versions
Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions
Guardian Angel - MTG Card versions
Righteousness - MTG Card versions
Indestructible Aura - MTG Card versions
Glyph of Life - MTG Card versions
Warning - MTG Card versions
Heal - MTG Card versions
Anoint - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Rewards - MTG Card versions
Rally the Troops - MTG Card versions
Enlightened Tutor - MTG Card versions
Orim's Touch - MTG Card versions
Pollen Remedy - MTG Card versions
Sacred Rites - MTG Card versions
Pay No Heed - MTG Card versions
Path to Exile - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though not directly providing card draw, Holy Day offers significant strategic advantage by potentially disrupting an opponent’s entire combat phase. This can equate to preserving your key creatures for subsequent rounds, maintaining your board presence and keeping card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Holy Day does not accelerate resources in the traditional sense, but it can be seen as a tempo play. By spending only one white mana to prevent all combat damage, it effectively saves resources that would otherwise be spent on creature regeneration or casting costlier spells for protection.

Instant Speed: The power of Holy Day lies in its instant speed, enabling players to wait until the last possible moment before declaring blockers or taking damage to play the card. This not only preserves creatures but can also cause the opponent to overcommit to an attack, leaving them vulnerable on the backswing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As players navigate their strategies, finding the Holy Day card demands immediate access which, unfortunately, becomes a missed opportunity if you’re required to discard other pivotal cards from your hand to maintain a battlefield presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Holy Day’s mana cost, though not steep, is specifically white. This requirement restricts deck flexibility, often confining it to mono-white builds or those with a heavy white mana base, potentially excluding it from a wide array of other deck options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In terms of resource management, Holy Day’s cost might be seen as prohibitive for what it offers. Even with its ability to prevent damage from creatures for a turn, it is occasionally compared with similar cards that could potentially offer more long-term benefits or versatility for the same, or even lower, mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Holy Day offers a universal solution against aggressive strategies, fitting seamlessly into any white deck looking to prevent a pivotal turn of combat damage.

Combo Potential: This card can be a crucial element in combos that manipulate turn structure or require surviving until the next round to achieve victory.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat-centric decks are prevalent, Holy Day’s ability to thwart a full-scale attack can be a game-changer, maintaining your stance in the meta.


How to Beat

Holy Day is an interesting card often used in defensive strategies within MTG. It’s acknowledged for its ability to prevent all combat damage that would be dealt on a particular turn. This makes it quite powerful in stalling aggressive opponents or strategically timing battles in your favor. To overcome strategies employing Holy Day, you can take a multifaceted approach. One is to bait out its use before committing your most dangerous creatures to the fray.

Another effective tactic is to focus on non-combat damage or abilities that can take your opponent by surprise. Cards like Lightning Bolt that deal direct damage or creature abilities that don’t rely on combat can circumvent Holy Day’s protection. Also consider using hand disruption spells that can remove Holy Day before it’s ever cast, giving you a clearer path to victory. With these insights and strategies, your chance of getting around this classic MTG card increases, and you can better prepare for its appearance during a match.


BurnMana Recommendations

The art of mastering MTG lies not just in knowing your cards but in how effectively you use them to navigate through the game’s complex battles. Holy Day proves itself as a strategic player in this depth, acting as a protective veil at a critical moment in combat. Whether you’re a seasoned planner or a novice looking to fortify your defenses, adding this card to your repertoire can give you an edge in white-aligned strategies. Ready to further enhance your gameplay and discover new tactics? Dive deeper with us as we uncover the ins and outs of MTG’s dynamic ecosystem and ensure your deck stands the test of time against any adversary.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Holy Day MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Invasion, 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 Day and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Holy Day Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2007-07-13. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-06-01LegendsLEG 201993NormalBlackJustin Hampton
22000-10-02InvasionINV 201997NormalBlackPete Venters
32003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 23★2003NormalBlackPete Venters
42003-07-28Eighth Edition8ED 232003NormalWhitePete Venters
52005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 18★2003NormalBlackPete Venters
62005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 182003NormalWhitePete Venters
72007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 212003NormalBlackVolkan Baǵa

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Holy Day has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal