Lifeblood MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1994-06-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Legends |
| Set code | LEG |
| Number | 27 |
| Frame | 1993 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Tedin |
Text of card
You gain 1 life point each time one of opponent's mountains becomes tapped.
"Foolish wizard! As you tap the power of your lofty keep, so grows my strength." —Malvern Xelionos, *Letters*
Cards like Lifeblood
The strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering is reflected in cards like Lifeblood, which feeds into the heart of green’s mana acceleration and life gain. It invokes comparisons to cards such as Nourish, another representation of efficient health restoration. Lifeblood, distinctively, provides a consistent option to gain life over multiple turns, reinforcing a player’s staying power in drawn-out engagements.
Exploring further, Verdant Bloom stands out for its mana acceleration quality, rather suggesting parallels in functionality. While Verdant Bloom amplifies the mana generated by forests, Lifeblood provides a dual benefit of both life gain and mana boost, albeit under specific conditions. This makes it uniquely balanced for decks that rely on prolonged games and stability.
Rounding up, we have Essence Warden, a creature that nets life whenever another creature enters the battlefield. Although it’s within the life gain theme, Lifeblood’s persistent effect is potentially advantageous in the long term. Comparatively, Lifeblood maintains an edge for those who prioritize steady growth in both resources and life total against a tapestry of similar Magic: The Gathering cards.
Cards similar to Lifeblood by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lifeblood offers a continuous supply of cards if the right conditions are met. With each trigger, signing off on life gain to generate an extra draw bolsters your hand, keeping the strategies fluid and responsive.
Resource Acceleration: Whenever you gain life, Lifeblood has the potential to translate that into additional resources. This effectively bridges the gap to powerful spells earlier in the match, giving you a decisive leg up over opponents.
Instant Speed: Lifeblood’s effectiveness is amplified by its ability to operate at instant speed, affording flexibility in your play pattern. React during an opponent’s turn or end step to optimize timing and maximize the impact of your life gain.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A drawback of the Lifeblood card design is its condition for discarding another card from your hand. This can create a strategic conundrum, especially when you’re running low on cards and need to maintain a solid grip to respond to your opponent’s moves effectively.
Specific Mana Cost: To play Lifeblood, a player must have access to a specific combination of mana sources. This requirement can hinder the card’s inclusion in decks with a diverse color scheme, potentially restricting its utility only to those that can reliably generate the needed types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Lifeblood’s mana cost might be considered steep for its particular effect, especially when compared to alternatives within the game. Players might find other cards with similar abilities that are either more cost-effective or offer more flexibility, making Lifeblood a less opulent choice for competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lifeblood has the unique ability to integrate into various deck themes, whether you’re aiming to bolster your life total or capitalize on life gain mechanics. Its adaptable nature makes it a strong addition in multiple formats.
Combo Potential: This card can work wonders in tandem with cards that thrive on life gain. Its potential to be a cornerstone in a combo that can swing games in your favor makes it invaluable for innovative deck builders.
Meta-Relevance: With aggressive strategies frequently dominating play, Lifeblood offers a way to stabilize and counteract damage while setting up for a comeback. Its presence could be crucial when facing down fast-paced decks in the current competitive scene.
How to Beat Lifeblood
Lifeblood is a card that plays a unique role in the strategic landscape of Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to provide consistent life gain under certain conditions, it can present a challenge when you’re trying to outpace your opponent’s life total. The key to overcoming Lifeblood lies in adopting strategies that can either circumvent its life-gain ability or apply pressure in ways that render the incremental life gain inconsequential.
To counteract the effects of Lifeblood, consider utilizing cards that deal damage in larger bursts, negating the gradual life increment that Lifeblood provides. Additionally, employing removal spells that target enchantments can directly address Lifeblood on the battlefield. It’s important to monitor the board state and manage your resources to ensure that Lifeblood doesn’t become a persistent obstacle to your victory.
Ultimately, while Lifeblood can be a formidable asset to your opponent, a well-crafted strategy involving prompt removal and assertive offensive measures can effectively diminish its impact. Thus, by adapting your tactics and keeping control of the game’s momentum, you can neutralize Lifeblood’s potential and maintain your pathway to triumph in your MTG encounters.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lifeblood MTG card by a specific set like Legends, 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 Lifeblood 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 Lifeblood has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lifeblood card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | In a multi-player game, it affects all opponents. |