Holy Strength MTG Card
1993-08-05 - Number 24
1993-10-04 - Number 25
1993-12-01 - Number 25
1993-12-10 - Number 25
1993-12-10 - Number 25
1994-04-01 - Number 24
1994-04-01 - Number 24
1994-06-21 - Number 24
1995-04-01 - Number 30
1995-04-01 - Number 30
1997-03-24 - Number 35
2001-04-11 - Number 20
2001-04-11 - Number 20★
2003-07-28 - Number 24★
2003-07-28 - Number 24
2005-07-29 - Number 19★
2005-07-29 - Number 19
2007-07-13 - Number 22
2007-07-13 - Number 22★
2009-07-17 - Number 15
2010-07-16 - Number 16
2022-11-28 - Number 321
2022-11-28 - Number 24
| Card sets | Released in 23 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains +1/+2.
Cards like Holy Strength
Holy Strength is an iconic enchantment in the MTG landscape, offering a modest but reliable power boost. It bears similarity to cards such as Giant Growth, which provides a substantial temporary boost to a creature’s power and toughness. Unlike Holy Strength, Giant Growth’s effect lasts only until the end of the turn, yet it can be the difference between winning and losing a crucial combat.
Then there is the enchantment Ethereal Armor, which not only increases a creature’s power and toughness but also grants First Strike depending on the number of enchantments you control. While Holy Strength is consistent, Ethereal Armor has the potential for a larger impact in the right deck. Another card worthy of mention is Mark of the Vampire, which not only gives a creature a larger boost in power and toughness but also Lifelink, transforming any creature into a significant threat and a source of life gain.
Holy Strength shines in its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, making it a staple when it comes to enchanting creatures for a lasting bonus. Although it might not carry the immediate impact of some alternatives, its low mana cost and permanence make it a worthy consideration for decks looking to enhance creatures over the long haul.
Cards similar to Holy Strength by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Holy Strength doesn’t provide a direct way to draw additional cards, its low casting cost ensures that you maintain resources for other card plays. It’s an efficient method to strengthen your creatures without sacrificing hand size.
Resource Acceleration: As a one-mana enchantment, Holy Strength enables quick enhancement of your creatures. This minor investment can lead to a significant increase in board presence, allowing you to divert resources to other strategic plays much sooner.
Instant Speed: Although Holy Strength itself is not an instant, its straightforward mana cost allows for easy incorporation into a turn where you’re keeping mana open for other instant speed interactions. It’s adaptable across various phases of the game, bolstering your strategy without impeding your ability to react swiftly to opponents’ moves.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Holding onto Holy Strength until the right creature comes along might clog your hand in fast-paced games, a challenge when you want to maintain card flow.
Specific Mana Cost: Holy Strength requires white mana, which restricts its use to decks that include white or are willing to accommodate its mana needs, potentially affecting deck consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing one white mana, the boost of +1/+2 might not always justify a card slot compared to other cards with greater impact or versatility at a comparable mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Holy Strength is a classic aura that can be slotted into various decks. It’s a simple and cost-effective way to boost a creature’s power and toughness, perfect for early aggressive plays or bolstering a key defender.
Combo Potential: This enchantment shines when combined with cards that capitalize on buffed creatures or enchantment synergies. Its low mana cost makes it a suitable choice for strategies seeking to create a single, unstoppable creature.
Meta-Relevance: Though Holy Strength may not dominate headlines, its straightforward power boost is always relevant, particularly in metas filled with creature-based combat. It’s a subtle yet potent way to edge out victories in tight matchups.
How to beat
Holy Strength is a classic aura that players often use in Magic: The Gathering to boost their creatures. The enchantment is straightforward: it gives a creature an additional +1/+2, enhancing its offensive and defensive capabilities. Your approach to overcoming this card hinges on efficient removal options. Considering its cost-effectiveness and the power-toughness boost, the key is to deal with the enchanted creature before the buff makes a substantial impact.
Spot removal spells are your best allies against creatures boasting Holy Strength. Options like Murder, Path to Exile, or Disenchant directly target and handle the threat these bolstered creatures present. Instant-speed spells are particularly effective as they can disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn, potentially wasting their mana and card advantage. Another strategy is to employ creatures with deathtouch capabilities to neutralize the threat regardless of the pumped stats the aura provides.
Remember, Holy Strength’s main drawback is its reliance on the creature it enchants. If you remove the creature or the enchantment itself, the card’s impact fades away. By maintaining control of the board and managing threats quickly, you can minimize the impact of Holy Strength in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Holy Strength 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 Strength 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
Printings
The Holy Strength Magic the Gathering card was released in 18 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
Show/hide all sets| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 24 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 25 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 25 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 4 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 25 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 5 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 25 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 24 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 24 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 24 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 30 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 30 | 1993 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 35 | 1997 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 12 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 20 | 1997 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 13 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 20★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 14 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 24★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 15 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 24 | 2003 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 16 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 19★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 17 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 19 | 2003 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 18 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 22 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
| 19 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 22★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
| 20 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 15 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
| 21 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
| 22 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 321 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 23 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 24 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Holy Strength has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |