Relic Bind MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 71
1995-04-01 - Number 97
1995-04-01 - Number 97
1995-08-01 - Number 39
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
When target artifact is tapped, the controller of Relic Bind can choose to do 1 damage to any player or give 1 life to any player.
Cards like Relic Bind
Relic Bind is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, sharing a kinship with cards that also manipulate opponents’ artifacts. Similar to Power Leech, Relic Bind taps into the strategy of exploiting artifacts for gain, though it focuses on triggering its effect when the targeted artifact becomes activated, rather than Power Leech’s broader approach which gains life whenever an opponent taps an artifact for mana.
Another counterpart is Blue Mana Battery, which like Relic Bind, is entwined with artifact manipulation. While Blue Mana Battery stores and expends mana, Relic Bind utilizes the activation of artifacts to produce an effect—tapping an opponent’s creature. This nuanced difference can impact strategies profoundly, focusing on restraint rather than ramping up mana reserves.
Analyzing these counterparts illuminates the tactical edge that Relic Bind offers in MTG decks. By snaring key artifacts in play, it can disrupt an adversary’s plans effectively, while at the same time offering a control element over the board state. This makes Relic Bind an intriguing option within the realm of blue enchantments that seek to gain advantage from opponent’s artifacts.
Cards similar to Relic Bind by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Relic Bind has the potential to generate ongoing card advantage by locking down a key artifact your opponent controls. Whenever that artifact becomes tapped, Relic Bind presents an opportunity to draw a card, keeping your hand full and providing more options for your plays.
Resource Acceleration: By restricting your opponent’s use of their artifacts, Relic Bind indirectly accelerates your resource management. While it doesn’t produce additional mana, it levels the playing field by preventing opponents from fully utilizing their resources, giving you a comparative speed boost in your game plan.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Relic Bind at instant speed offers strategic flexibility, enabling you to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn. This reactive capacity can surprise an adversary by disrupting their strategy at a pivotal moment with no warning.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Relic Bind card demands a specific action from artifacts as it latches on. In scenarios where artifact targets are scarce or their abilities less impactful, its utility wanes, leaving the player in a bind about its inclusion in their deck.
Specific Mana Cost: Harnessing the power of this spell requires a blue mana, which, while commonly found in control and combo decks, can sometimes skew the flexibility of multi-color deck construction or clash with the mana curve in faster, more aggressive strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires not only two generic but also one blue mana, the investment made for the outcome provided by Relic Bind might not always be justified. In competitive play, where efficiency is paramount, there may be alternatives that provide greater value or versatility for a similar or lower cost.
Reasons to Include Relic Bind in Your Collection
Versatility: Relic Bind offers a unique flexibility in deck building. It can play a defensive role by locking down an opponent’s key artifact, or it can be an offensive tool in decks that capitalise on the tap/untap mechanics.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with cards that allow you to untap artifacts or benefit from multiple uses of artifacts. It does not just disrupt; it sets the stage for powerful plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where artifacts are common, Relic Bind not only hampers your opponent’s strategies but also becomes a recurring annoyance that they must answer, making it a valuable asset in the right environment.
How to beat
Relic Bind is a unique card with the potential to disrupt your strategy in the Magic: The Gathering arena. Understanding its mechanics is key to formulating a winning game plan against it. This card latches onto an opponent’s artifact, yielding benefits whenever the artifact is activated. To effectively counter this, consider limiting the activation of your artifacts when Relic Bind is in play or employ strategies to remove or neutralize enchantments.
Spot removal spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize can be highly effective at dealing with Relic Bind directly. By keeping removal options in your deck, you maintain the flexibility to respond to enchantments that threaten to tip the scales. In addition, running versatile permanents that can function without needing to trigger their abilities will minimize the downside of getting targeted by Relic Bind. This way, you can continue to play without handing over advantages to your opponent due to the potentially cumbersome conditions that come with Relic Bind.
Ultimately, while Relic Bind presents a tactical challenge, it’s one that can be overcome with smart deck construction and strategic play. Adapting to the conditions of the battlefield and recognizing when to save or play your key artifacts will keep you one step ahead and safeguard your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Relic Bind MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Fourth Edition, 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 Relic Bind 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 Relic Bind Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 1995-08-01. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 71 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 97 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 97 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 4 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 39 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Relic Bind has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |