Holy Justiciar MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Released | 2012-05-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Avacyn Restored |
| Set code | AVR |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 25 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Rapoza |
Text of card
, : Tap target creature. If that creature is a Zombie, exile it.
Her eyes see through the rotting flesh and glimpse a soul in agony, begging for the Blessed Sleep.
Cards like Holy Justiciar
Holy Justiciar stands out in the pantheon of creatures within Magic: The Gathering for its unique combination of abilities. The card functions similarly to cards like Banisher Priest or Fiend Hunter, adept at removing rival creatures from the battlefield temporarily. However, Holy Justiciar offers a longer-term solution by locking down opponents’ potential threats with its tap ability, rather than providing a brief respite.
Where does the card intersect with others? Take Fairgrounds Warden, a creature that exiles another creature for as long as it remains on the battlefield. Holy Justiciar does not exile, but it renders selected creatures ineffective for multitude of turns. Looking at Journey to Nowhere, which exiles a creature but lacks the same flexibility and is vulnerable to enchantment removal, Holy Justiciar offers a creature-based control that can continually impact the game.
Cards like Oblivion Ring also come to mind as they share removal qualities. While Oblivion Ring can target any nonland permanent, Holy Justiciar’s ability is solely creature-focused but is reusable each turn. This repeatable interference can significantly alter the tempo of the game, giving Holy Justiciar a tactical edge in the right deck context.
Cards similar to Holy Justiciar by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Holy Justiciar ensures you stay ahead by offering repeatable creature tap-down, hampering opponents’ strategies and limiting their options while bolstering your offensive or defensive maneuvers.
Resource Acceleration: Can be synergized with untap mechanics, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration by freeing up creatures for other roles, like convoke, effectively speeding up your board development.
Instant Speed: Its activated ability can be used at instant speed, allowing strategic flexibility during combat or in response to opponent’s actions, thus maintaining the element of surprise and control over the battlefield interaction.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When utilizing Holy Justiciar, you may find yourself in the precarious position of needing to discard another card, which can be a significant drawback during critical moments when your hand size is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: Holy Justiciar’s mana cost is color-intensive, specifically requiring white mana. This can be particularly restrictive, limiting its inclusion to decks that can consistently generate the necessary white mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep mana investment to bring Holy Justiciar into play, players may hesitate, considering other cards in the same mana range potentially offer more impactful board presence or immediate effects to sway the game in their favor.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Holy Justiciar offers utility in multiple deck archetypes. Its ability to tap potential threats can be a key tactical advantage, complementing strategies that emphasize board control.
Combo Potential: This card’s untap ability can synergize with other cards that benefit from being untapped or have tap-triggered abilities, amplifying their effects and enabling powerful interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where creatures play a central role, Holy Justiciar can be a significant asset. It can repeatedly neutralize enemy creatures, making it a card worth considering for inclusion in creature-heavy metas.
How to beat
Holy Justiciar joins the array of versatile creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering not just combat strength but also utility in control-focused decks. To overcome this card, one strategy is disrupting its ability to tap down your threats. This can be achieved by neutralizing it before its controller’s turn begins, or by employing instant-speed removal spells that catch the opponent off-guard. A card with the likes of Abrupt Decay offers a swift, uncounterable solution.
In addition, cards that grant hexproof or protection from white to your creatures can render Holy Justiciar’s ability obsolete, keeping your side of the battlefield unaffected by its influence. Consider cards like Blossoming Defense, which not only shields your creature but also strengthens it. The key is to stay one step ahead, maintaining the ability to respond quickly and efficiently. Ensuring your deck has such responsive elements is crucial when preparing to face down Holy Justiciar or similar control-oriented creatures.
In essence, keeping a flexible and reactionary approach in your gameplay is your best bet against Holy Justiciar. Tailor your moves not just to counter its abilities but to assert your own game plan effectively.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Holy Justiciar MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Justiciar 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 Holy Justiciar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Holy Justiciar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | If the creature is an untapped Zombie, it will become tapped, then exiled. |