Seal of Strength MTG Card
2000-02-14 - Number 115
2016-06-10 - Number 184
2019-11-07 - Number 1326
2020-09-26 - Number EMA-184
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
Sacrifice Seal of Strength: Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn.
"I am the feeder, the morsel that revives the starving." —Seal inscription
Cards like Seal of Strength
Seal of Strength stands as a unique specimen within the array of creature-buffing spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives include cards like Giant Growth, a classic spell that offers an immediate +3/+3 boost to a creature. Seal of Strength, however, diverges with its delayed gratification model, allowing players to activate the buff at the perfect tactical moment. This distinct feature provides a more flexible and strategic approach compared to Giant Growth’s instant effect.
Another near kin is Invigorate, granting a similar boost without a mana cost if you’re willing to give your opponent 3 life. It’s a trade-off, but like Seal of Strength, Invigorate’s free casting option can be a surprise element during combat phases. On a different note, we look at Rancor, an enchantment that gives a more modest +2/+0 but with the added perk of trample and resilience through its return-to-hand mechanic upon being sent to the graveyard.
Seal of Strength may not offer the immediacy of Giant Growth or the cost-free option of Invigorate, but its latent potential allows for strategic plays that can catch opponents off guard, often leading to significant combat swings or game-winning moves. It’s a testament to how even subtle differences can tailor a card to suit diverse playstyles and strategies.
Cards similar to Seal of Strength by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Seal of Strength. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Seal of Strength doesn’t directly draw cards, it provides a strategic edge by offering an effect that can be reserved until the optimal moment, allowing a player to potentially outmaneuver an opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: As a one-mana enchantment that can be sacrificed for a considerable power boost, Seal of Strength can significantly accelerate your creature’s offensive capabilities without the need for additional mana investment, providing a cost-efficient resource to tip the scales in your favor.
Instant Speed: Combat in MTG can be a tense back-and-forth of actions and reactions. Seal of Strength’s ability to be activated at instant speed acts as a powerful element of surprise, strengthening a creature at a critical moment and potentially disrupting an opponent’s well-laid plans.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Seal of Strength does not require discarding as a cost, being a one-use enchantment means it’s a trade-off of a card from your hand for a single burst of power. In some scenarios, retaining card advantage could be more beneficial than the temporary boost.
Specific Mana Cost: Seal of Strength demands green mana for its activation. This specific color requirement implies that in multicolored decks, you might not always have the necessary resources available at the right time, potentially stalling your gameplay.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: If we look at the cost-effectiveness of Seal of Strength, one green mana for an enchantment that provides a one-time +3/+3 could be considered high. In the current meta, there are alternatives that offer more flexibility or a permanent increase that might serve a deck’s strategy more efficiently.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Seal of Strength offers the flexibility to fortify creatures at a moment’s notice, making it a useful addition to decks that thrive on instant speed interaction and efficient mana usage.
Combo Potential: This card has the potential to create powerful synergies with strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or require sudden bursts of power to execute lethal combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat tricks and creature-based strategies prevail, Seal of Strength’s capacity to surprise opponents and turn the tide of battles makes it a tactical asset.
How to beat Seal of Strength
Seal of Strength holds its place in MTG as a nuanced card that can unexpectedly bolster a creature’s power. Nestled akin to Giant Growth, it differs by being an enchantment, offering the benefit of activation at a moment’s notice. Unlike Giant Growth, which provides an instant power boost, Seal of Strength requires a strategic layer, luring players into a trap of misjudging the battlefield.
However, to outmaneuver this card, timing and card selection are crucial. Engaging cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can dismantle the Seal before it erupts into a powerhouse move. Being enchantment removal spells, they can directly target and eliminate Seal of Strength, neutralizing its potential impact. Moreover, countering with instant-speed removal when the Seal’s ability hits the stack, ensures that the creature intended for the boost never gets its power surge. Control decks which run sweepers or spot removal can effectively clear the board or target the buffed creature, nullifying the Seal’s advantage.
Effectively, Seal of Strength’s tactical edge requires an equally tactical response. Highlighting the importance of foresight in MTG play, players who anticipate and prepare for such tricks can maintain control over the game’s flow and keep the Seal’s strength in check.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Seal of Strength MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Eternal Masters, 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 Seal of Strength 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 Seal of Strength Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-02-14 | Nemesis | NEM | 115 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 2 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 184 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1326 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | EMA-184 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Noah Bradley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Seal of Strength has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |