Words of Worship MTG Card


Words of Worship - Onslaught
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment
Released2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set nameOnslaught
Set codeONS
Number61
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byRebecca Guay

Key Takeaways

  1. Words of Worship creates flexibility, converting card draws into life gain as a strategic response.
  2. The enchantment’s instant speed activation can significantly influence late-game decisions.
  3. Mana requirements may limit use in non-white or tightly resourced decks.

Text of card

o1: The next time you would draw a card this turn, you gain 5 life instead.

"The faithful don't succumb to terror, nor are they ruled by passion. They adhere to order, for order is life." —*Volume I, The Book of Faith*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Words of Worship offers a unique spin on card advantage by giving you the option to skip a draw and gain life instead. This can be a strategic move against decks that aim to win by depleting your life total. Its flexibility allows you to adapt to the current state of the game, prioritizing life gain when necessary over adding another card to your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources in terms of mana, Words of Worship can be part of a combo that leads to resource acceleration. In conjunction with certain cards that benefit from life gain or repeated triggered abilities, it can indirectly contribute to ramping up your board presence and strategic advantages.

Instant Speed: This card can be activated at instant speed, which means you can respond to your opponents’ actions by gaining life instead of drawing a card. This reactive capability can be a game-changer, especially during the late game when every decision can determine the outcome of the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Words of Worship has an ability that requires you to forgo the normal card draw, essentially discarding the opportunity to add a new card to your hand during your draw step. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your strategy relies on maintaining card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: To activate its life-gaining ability, not only do you need to pay 1 white mana, but the card also demands that you pay an additional generic mana. This restricts its functionality in decks that might not have a consistent way of generating white mana or those that prefer not to allocate resources for this type of effect.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of paying 1 and losing a draw, the life gain offered by Words of Worship competes with other mana-efficient alternatives. Cards that can simply draw more cards or provide a similar life boost without sacrificing card advantage might be preferred by players looking to optimize their deck’s performance.


Reasons to Include Words of Worship in Your Collection

Versatility: Words of Worship is a unique card that can easily fit into decks that are focused on life gain strategies or those looking to utilize their draw steps differently. Its ability to convert card draw into life can be critical when stalling for time or in situations where drawing a card might be detrimental due to an opponent’s disruptive strategy.

Combo Potential: This card offers interesting combo possibilities, particularly in decks that manipulate draw steps or benefit from life gain triggers. With the right setup, it can serve as an engine to activate various abilities multiple times or to sustain your resources in a prolonged game where every life point counts.

Meta-Relevance: In formats where life totals are a major focus, Words of Worship can be an offbeat choice that opponents may not be prepared for. Its ability to skew the typical flow of the game can give you an edge in specific metagames where your life total might be under constant threat.


How to beat

Words of Worship is an intriguing card from the Onslaught set that offers Magic: The Gathering players a unique avenue to trade card draw for life gain. This enchantment can be a game-changer in dedicated life gain strategies, presenting opponents with the challenge of outpacing or disrupting the incremental advantage it provides. Unlike spells that draw cards, Words of Worship can be activated multiple times in a turn, given sufficient draws, making it a resilient tool against decks that can’t apply continuous pressure.

To counter Words of Worship effectively, direct enchantment removal becomes a crucial strategy. Turning to spells like Disenchant, Naturalize, or Mortify can dismantle this ongoing value engine. Aggressive decks need to stay on the front foot, pressuring life totals before Words of Worship can stabilize the game state. In control matches, it is essential to leverage counterspells and hand disruption to prevent the enchantment from sticking or to handle it before it becomes active. Ultimately, dealing with Words of Worship demands timely intervention, disrupting the life gain synergy before it tips the scale too far in favor of the opponent.

By understanding the dynamics of this card and preparing solutions in your deckbuilding and gameplay decisions, you can ensure that Words of Worship does not become an insurmountable obstacle in your path to victory.


Cards like Words of Worship

Words of Worship stands out in the flexibility it offers in Magic: The Gathering’s rich tapestry of life-gain cards. Comparable to the likes of Well of Lost Dreams, Words of Worship gives players the control to skip a card draw to gain life, which can be pivotal in sustaining through tough matches. Well of Lost Dreams applies a similar concept, allowing for life to convert into potential card advantage. However, it doesn’t offer the direct exchange of draw for life, which Words of Worship excels at.

Another peer in this niche is Book of Rass, which tends to be unfavorable due to its high cost and life payment for drawing cards. While Book of Rass can provide card advantage, it requires a continuous life-investment, as opposed to the one-time effect activation with Words of Worship.

In the realm of life gain and draw manipulation, Words of Worship presents a unique playstyle, making it a fine choice for enhancing strategies built around life metrics. Its ability to turn a common mechanic into a tool for survival is what makes it a noteworthy consideration for players looking to optimize their deck’s endurance in Magic: The Gathering.

Well of Lost Dreams - MTG Card versions
Book of Rass - MTG Card versions
Well of Lost Dreams - Darksteel (DST)
Book of Rass - The Dark (DRK)

Cards similar to Words of Worship by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - Antiquities (ATQ)
Farmstead - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Cooperation - Ice Age (ICE)
Noble Steeds - Alliances (ALL)
Aura of Silence - Commander 2015 (C15)
Empyrial Armor - Weatherlight (WTH)
Cessation - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Arrest - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Glorious Anthem - Junior Super Series (PSUS)
Samite Sanctuary - Prophecy (PCY)
Pariah - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Tattoo Ward - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparring Regimen - Strixhaven: School of Mages Promos (PSTX)
Shielded by Faith - Signature Spellbook: Gideon (SS2)
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO)
Oblivion Ring - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Cage of Hands - Commander Legends (CMR)
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - The List (PLST)
Guardian's Magemark - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Celestial Dawn - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Words of Worship MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Words of Worship and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Words of Worship has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 If multiple Words have been used prior to drawing a card, then you can choose which one to apply (and use up) each time you draw a card.

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