Relic Ward MTG Card

Relic Ward can create significant card advantage by exiling multiple key artifacts and enchantments. Instant speed allows strategic flexibility, disrupting opponents’ plays at pivotal moments. High mana cost and color-specific demands may hinder its inclusion in diverse MTG decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment — Aura
Abilities	Enchant
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Number	16
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	John Coulthart

Text of card

You may choose to play Relic Ward as an instant; if you do, bury it at end of turn. Enchanted artifact cannot be the target of spells or effects.

Asmira's prayers alone should have freed Mangara from the amber prison . . .

Cards like Relic Ward

Relic Ward is a unique piece in the puzzle of white enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities echo those of similar cards, such as Oblivion Ring and Banishing Light. All three cards are designed to temporarily remove troublesome nonland permanents from the battlefield. Relic Ward sets itself apart with its narrower focus, targeting only artifacts and enchantments for exile until Relic Ward leaves the play area.

Conversely, Cast Out presents a broader spectrum of removal by including creatures in its exile capabilities. It carries cycling, allowing for more versatility and a chance to draw a card at a crucial moment. Detention Sphere, while not limited to artifacts and enchantments, has the distinction of being able to exile all permanents sharing a name with the targeted permanent upon entering the battlefield.

Considering these comparisons helps players make informed decisions about deck building in Magic: The Gathering. Each removal enchantment comes with strengths and situational advantages, and choosing between them depends on the deck’s overarching strategy and the common threats one expects to encounter in gameplay. Relic Ward, while more focused, offers solid utility in games where artifacts and enchantments dominate.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When casting Relic Ward, the ability to potentially exile multiple artifacts or enchantments from the battlefield can create significant card advantage. This is crucial in situations where you’re up against decks that rely heavily on such permanents, effectively disrupting their strategy and tipping the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Relic Ward itself does not directly accelerate resources, its removal of key artifacts can slow down an opponent’s mana ramp or resource generation. This inadvertent resource acceleration can give you a leg up by stalling your adversary’s growth while you continue to develop your board state and strategy unimpeded.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Relic Ward offers tactical flexibility within a match. You have the option to wait until the most opportune moment within your opponent’s turn to play it, which could catch them off-guard or spoil their planned plays. This instant response can be especially powerful in the later stages of a match when every move counts.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the more considerable drawbacks of Relic Ward is the demand to discard a card to activate its ability. This could place players in a challenging position when card advantage is critical, potentially sacrificing valuable momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Relic Ward calls for a particular mana combination to cast, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck strategies. This can be a hurdle for players running multi-color decks that don’t align with the required mana types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a higher mana value compared to other cards with similar effects, Relic Ward might not be the most mana-efficient choice for your deck. It could end up being bypassed for alternatives that provide a similar level of utility without the steep cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Relic Ward offers an adaptable solution for protecting valuable permanents or disrupting opponents by phasing out threats. This flexibility makes it a utility card that can fit into various deck builds, enhancing both offensive and defensive strategies.

Combo Potential: With the ability to phase out your own or your opponent’s permanents, Relic Ward can be a key component in complex combos. It enables interesting interactions with comes-into-play abilities or can be used to temporarily remove obstacles for a decisive game turn.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where enchantments or artifacts play a significant role, Relic Ward proves to be a strategic inclusion. Its targeted phasing is a unique form of removal that bypasses indestructible and can unseat entrenched board states, making it a card to consider for an edge against popular decks.

How to beat

Relic Ward is a card that frequently appears in MTG decks where its primary function is to arrest abilities of artifacts and enchantments. While some cards are elusive and hard to neutralize, Relic Ward can be approached strategically. One effective measure is to use enchantment removal spells such as Disenchant to directly target and destroy Relic Ward. Cards like Thrashing Brontodon allow for a body on the board while also serving as a method for disposal.

Another avenue is to rely on counter spells when Relic Ward is cast. By using cards like Dovin’s Veto or Negate, which are tailored to counter noncreature spells, you can prevent Relic Ward from ever hitting the field. If Relic Ward is already in play, cards with hexproof or shroud can safeguard your key artifacts and enchantments from being targeted, essentially nullifying Relic Ward’s ability.

Considering the existence of these countermeasures within the game, Relic Ward, while useful, is not impervious to the well-prepared player. With careful planning and the right cards, overcoming the restrictions set by Relic Ward is entirely feasible.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Relic Ward MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Ward and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Relic Ward has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2005-08-01	Does not destroy Auras which are on the artifact, and it does not prevent Auras from being moved onto the artifact.
2009-10-01	The sacrifice occurs only if you cast it using its own ability. If you cast it using some other effect (for instance, if it gained flash from Vedalken Orrery), then it won’t be sacrificed.

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.