Scars of the Veteran MTG Card

Provides card advantage and board presence maintenance, crucial in drawn-out MTG matches. Instant-speed casting of Scars of the Veteran offers strategic depth and in-game flexibility. Demands card discard, specific mana, and higher cost, potentially impacting strategic plays.

Alliances (ALL)
1996-06-10 - Number 16

Scars of the Veteran - Coldsnap Theme Decks (CST)

Coldsnap Theme Decks (CST)
2006-07-21 - Number 16

Scars of the Veteran - Masters Edition II (ME2)

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 34

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant

Text of card

You may remove a white card in your hand from the game instead of paying Scars of the Veteran's casting cost. Prevent up to 7 damage to target creature or player. For each 1 damage to a creature prevented by Scars of the Veteran, put a +0/+1 counter on that creature at end of turn.

Cards like Scars of the Veteran

Scars of the Veteran from MTG unfurls a world of possibilities in the realm of damage prevention. Nestled alongside other classics like Divine Deflection, it stands out with its unique blend of damage mitigation and permanent life increase. While Divine Deflection allocates damage to another target, Scars of the Veteran uniquely buffs your life total based on that prevented damage. This provides a strategic edge, especially in life-thirsty decks.

Looking to Intervention Pact, there’s a semblance of kinship. Both deflect harm’s way, but Intervention Pact works at a zero upfront cost, payable at your next upkeep, giving it a surprise factor. Scars of the Veteran, however, grants that precious uptick in life immediately, enhancing its user’s fortitude against upcoming threats. Contrastingly, there is also Enshrined Memories – while not directly related in function, it carries the same mana cost, but instead of warding off injury, it delves for creature cards, showcasing the variety of strategies available at this mana range.

In essence, each card in MTG offers distinct advantages, but Scars of the Veteran shines in its dual utility, combining staunch defense with a boost in a player’s health, particularly beneficial for those enduring the long game.

Cards similar to Scars of the Veteran by color, type and mana cost

Charge Across the Araba - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Scars of the Veteran not only bolsters your creatures’ toughness but can sometimes net you an additional card. This advantage is pivotal when you’re looking to outlast your opponent in longer, more drawn-out matches.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, the card helps maintain board presence without extra investment. Protecting a pivotal creature with its instant toughness boost can indirectly lead to accelerated resource gains by keeping your key pieces in play.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Scars of the Veteran at instant speed provides significant strategic flexibility. This allows you to adapt to threats dynamically, making it a tactical asset during the heat of battle. Catching an opponent off guard when they commit to a removal spell or combat trick can swing the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable downside of Scars of the Veteran is the requirement to discard a card from your hand. This can set you back in the game by reducing your options, especially if your hand is already depleted or if you’re holding key cards for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Scars of the Veteran has a mana cost that necessitates white mana. Cards with color-specific mana costs can be restrictive, often confining them to decks that run those particular colors or a mana base that can reliably produce that color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana including one white, this card might be considered costly compared to other protective spells. There are alternatives available that can provide similar effects or better flexibility for less mana, allowing players to maintain tempo without committing a substantial portion of their resources to a single card.

Reasons to Include Scars of the Veteran in Your Collection

Versatility: Scars of the Veteran proves to be a flexible card, capable of slotting into a variety of decks. Whether it’s bolstering your life total in a tight match or preventing damage to maintain board control, this card adapts to multiple situations with ease.

Combo Potential: The ability to prevent damage to a creature synergizes with strategies that capitalize on keeping key creatures in play. It can serve as a pseudo combat trick or in conjunction with other cards that benefit from non-lethal engagements.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that often shifts with each tournament and play group, Scars of the Veteran provides reactive options against aggressive strategies that aim to quickly diminish life totals, making it a valuable card to have for adapting to a wide range of competitive decks.

How to beat

Scars of the Veteran is a unique card in the MTG universe, bridging the gap between life gain and damage prevention. Players often compare it to other white spells like Healing Salve, which also delivers a similar life-saving mechanic. Yet, Scars of the Veteran has an edge with its potentially higher life gain and the ability to shrug off any amount of damage for a turn, unlike Healing Salve’s fixed 3-point capacity.

Other noteworthy comparisons include cards like Righteousness for its damage prevention during combat and Circle of Protection, which focuses on specific color damage prevention. Both have their benefits, but they operate under more limited conditions compared to the versatile Scars of the Veteran.

When facing an opponent wielding this veteran’s boon, the key to prevailing is to force usage at less critical moments. Keeping pressure with threats they can’t ignore but that aren’t game-ending can deplete their resources, leaving them vulnerable. Waiting until post-combat phases to deal damage and employing spells that cause loss of life instead of damage can also circumnavigate Scars of the Veteran’s impressive defense, ensuring you maintain the upper hand in your MTG duels.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scars of the Veteran MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Coldsnap Theme Decks, 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 Scars of the Veteran and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Scars of the Veteran Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Dan Frazier.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1996-06-10	Alliances	ALL	16	1993	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
2	2006-07-21	Coldsnap Theme Decks	CST	16	2003	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier
3	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2	34	1997	Normal	Black	Dan Frazier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Scars of the Veteran has restrictions

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