Martyr for the Cause MTG Card

Enhances card value by proliferating counters without direct card draw, advancing board state efficacy. Accelerates permanents’ growth, expediting planeswalkers’ ultimates or strengthening creatures incrementally. Offers strategic combat death-triggered proliferation, pivotal for counter-centric deck success.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Abilities	Proliferate
Released	2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	War of the Spark
Set code	WAR
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	23
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Zoltan Boros

Text of card

When Martyr for the Cause dies, proliferate. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.)

"If I am to die in service, there is no more worthy fight than this."

Cards like Martyr for the Cause

Martyr for the Cause is a solid creature card offering a unique twist on the proliferate mechanic within Magic: The Gathering. This card closely relates to others that enable players to spread additional counters on the battlefield like Thrummingbird, which offers proliferate on a hit. However, Martyr for the Cause activates upon death – providing a strategic option for counter distribution post-combat or via sacrificial effects.

Cruel Celebrant presents another point of comparison, giving players life gain and damage triggers upon creature death. While it doesn’t proliferate, it sets off a different kind of chain reaction beneficial in Aristocrats-style decks. Compared to Iron Bully, which enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter and has the potential to proliferate once, Martyr for the Cause can potentially offer multiple proliferations throughout the game if the conditions are optimal.

Assessing these similar options, Martyr for the Cause stands out in decks centered around +1/+1 counters or planeswalker abilities, where its death-triggered proliferate ability can be repeatedly utilized. This makes it a versatile and synergistic choice for players looking to amplify the effects of their counters.

Cards similar to Martyr for the Cause by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Martyr for the Cause. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#	Name	Format	Archetype	Event
	WUB	Pauper		Pauper Challenge 32 2024-01-07

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Martyr for the Cause may not draw you cards directly, its proliferate trigger upon death can potentially enhance your board’s counters, contributing indirectly to card advantage by boosting your permanents’ effectiveness.

Resource Acceleration: This creature doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense of generating mana. However, by proliferating +1/+1 counters or loyalty counters, it can accelerate the growth of your other cards or allow planeswalkers to reach their ultimate abilities sooner.

Instant Speed: Martyr for the Cause functions differently than instant speed spells; it’s a creature. Despite this, its death ability can synergize with instant speed effects that create an environment where counters are placed during your or your opponent’s turn, for an unexpected proliferation.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Martyr for the Cause doesn’t require card discarding, making it easy to fit into strategies without sacrificing hand resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature needs two white mana to play. This restriction could be challenging for multi-colored decks that may not always have the necessary white mana available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana for a 2/2 creature, Martyr for the Cause might be considered mana-intensive when compared to other creatures with similar or more impactful abilities at the same cost point.

Reasons to Include Martyr for the Cause in Your Collection

Versatility: Martyr for the Cause is a flexible card that can seamlessly integrate into a wide range of decks. Its ability to bolster creature-based strategies or support proliferate mechanics makes it a solid choice for strengthening your board presence.

Combo Potential: The card excels in combinations, particularly in decks that revolve around +1/+1 counters or utilize sacrificial tactics. When it dies, it can strategically add a loyalty or charge counter, making it synergistic with numerous strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where counters matter, and incremental advantages can tip the scales, Martyr for the Cause proves to be a subtle yet impactful contributor. It’s especially useful when combat is frequent, or when control decks aim to maintain board superiority.

How to beat

Martyr for the Cause presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As a creature that brings a bolster to any counter-based strategy, it’s essential to anticipate and disrupt its proliferate trigger. This means removal spells are your key to success. A timely Shock or Fatal Push can nip the problem in the bud before Martyr’s ability takes effect. Furthermore, consider using instant speed removal in response to any action that may result in death, so the proliferate trigger becomes an irrelevant detail in your path to victory.

In terms of managing the battlefield, countering creature spells can be equally effective. Essence Scatter is a great tool for this, keeping creatures like Martyr for the Cause from ever touching the board. Another strategy revolves around reducing the number of counters on your opponent’s permanents. Spells like Vampire Hexmage or Thrashing Brontodon can directly eliminate or weaken the effects that Martyr for the Cause aims to enhance. Overcome the challenge by being proactive and keeping your opponent’s synergies in check.

Understand that in the end, Magic: The Gathering matches require adaptability. Even with Martyr for the Cause’s resilience, the right spells, played at the right time, can turn your potential setback into a mere stepping stone to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Martyr for the Cause MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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 Martyr for the Cause and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Martyr for the Cause has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Martyr for the Cause card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2019-05-03	If another creature with a +1/+1 counter on it is dealt lethal damage at the same time as Martyr for the Cause, the triggered ability can’t proliferate a +1/+1 counter on the other creature in time to save it.
2021-03-19	If a permanent has +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on it, they’re removed in pairs as a state-based action so that the permanent has only one of those kinds of counters on it.
2021-03-19	Players can respond to a spell or ability whose effect includes proliferating. Once that spell or ability starts to resolve, however, and its controller chooses which permanents and players will get new counters, it’s too late for anyone to respond.
2021-03-19	To proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can’t choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them.
2021-03-19	You don’t have to choose every permanent or player that has a counter, only the ones you want to add another counter to. Since “any number” includes zero, you don’t have to choose any permanents at all, and you don’t have to choose any players at all.