Orzhova, the Church of Deals MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 162
2020-09-26 - Number GPT-162
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool. , : Target player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
Unlike most churches, at Orzhova it's best to pray before you arrive.
Cards like Orzhova, the Church of Deals
Orzhova, the Church of Deals is a land card that offers an intriguing financial twist in Magic: The Gathering gameplay. It stands alongside other utility lands such as Radiant Fountain, which provides life gain without the strategic depth of a monetary exchange. Orzhova enables players to exchange mana to drain life from opponents, adding a layer of tactical advantage. Another similar card is Ghost Quarter, presenting a destructive approach by targeting lands. While Ghost Quarter disrupts opponents’ mana bases, Orzhova subtly whittles down an opponent’s life total, reflecting the finesse of the Orzhov Syndicate’s philosophy.
The synergy between Orzhova and other lifegain strategies can be likened to the effects of Kabira Crossroads, which also offers life gain, but it lacks the ability to impact an opponent’s life points directly. Orzhova provides a unique combination of offense and defense, extending its usefulness far beyond that of a simple mana provider. With its potential for gradual life point manipulation, Orzhova requires strategic timing and resource management, unlike the more immediate effects of other land cards in the game.
Analyzing these comparisons, it’s clear that Orzhova, the Church of Deals has a niche among utility lands in Magic: The Gathering. It’s not just a source of color fixing but also a strategic asset capable of influencing the duel in subtle yet powerful ways.
Cards similar to Orzhova, the Church of Deals by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Orzhova, the Church of Deals provides a steady source of card advantage, allowing players to use its ability to extract valuable options from their deck, solidifying their lead or catching up when behind.
Resource Acceleration: This card gives you access to additional resources, potentially advancing your board state by paying into its ability, which translates into long-term gains as the match progresses.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Orzhova, the Church of Deals at instant speed means you can utilize your mana effectively, maintaining the element of surprise, and making strategic moves at the optimal time.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Orzhova, the Church of Deals is its discard requirement. Activating its ability means parting with another card from your hand, which could deplete your resources faster and put you at a disadvantage, especially in games where card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a very specific mana cost to activate its ability, requiring both white and black mana. This can sometimes limit its playability to decks that heavily focus on or accommodate the Orzhov guild’s color pairing, potentially restricting its inclusion in more diverse mana-base decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Orzhova, the Church of Deals presents a unique ability, the activation cost is notably steep. In a game where tempo and efficiency are often keys to victory, the four mana required to use this ability could be seen as a high investment, especially when there are other cards or options available that might provide a greater impact or value for the same or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include Orzhova, the Church of Deals in Your Collection
Versatility: Orzhova, the Church of Deals offers a unique gameplay experience, fitting seamlessly into decks that strive for life manipulation or a long game strategy. Its ability to subtly drain opponents’ life while padding your own makes it a utility card with diverse applications.
Combo Potential: With its life-draining ability, Orzhova can trigger death and life gain mechanics across numerous cards. It sets up opportunities for powerful plays, linking with cards that flourish when life totals change or thresholds are met.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where incremental advantage is key, Orzhova, the Church of Deals maintains relevance. Adapting to various meta trends, it can hold its ground as both an offensive and defensive asset, disrupting opponent strategies while bolstering your own.
How to beat
Tackling Orzhova, the Church of Deals, requires a strategic approach within your MTG gameplay. This formidable card is known for its ability to incrementally chip away at an opponent’s life while bolstering your own. To outplay this powerful feature, consider deploying aggressive strategies early on to pressure your opponent before they can establish a dominant position with Orzhova.
Including cards that specifically target enchantments can also provide a direct answer to Orzhova, effectively removing this threat from the battlefield. Additionally, employing cards that offer hexproof or shroud to your creatures can negate or minimize the lifelink advantage. Counterspells are effective as well during the casting phase before Orzhova’s abilities can be activated.
Another tactful method is to manage your resources wisely, making sure not to over-commit to the board and risk losing life point advantages. By maintaining card advantage and presenting multiple threats, you can dilute Orzhova’s influence and force your opponent to make difficult decisions. Ultimately, understanding and anticipating your opponent’s strategies can make all the difference when facing the challenge of Orzhova, the Church of Deals.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Orzhova, the Church of Deals MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and The List, 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 Orzhova, the Church of Deals and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Orzhova, the Church of Deals Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2006-02-03. Illustrated by Martina Pilcerova.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Orzhova, the Church of Deals has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |