Souls of the Faultless MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Defender |
| Released | 2006-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guildpact |
| Set code | GPT |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 131 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Pat Lee |
Text of card
Defender (This creature can't attack.) Whenever Souls of the Faultless is dealt combat damage, you gain that much life and attacking player loses that much life.
"More horrible than their empty forms are their noble eyes. I dare not strike." —Klattic, Boros legionnaire
Cards like Souls of the Faultless
Souls of the Faultless stands out in the world of defensive Magic: The Gathering cards. This unique creature card brings not just a body to block attacks, but also an aggressive life-swing component. Compared to the likes of Wall of Reverence, which also offers significant defensive utility, Souls of the Faultless discourages attackers further by punishing opponents and healing you whenever it blocks. Whereas Wall of Reverence simply gains you life equal to the toughness of your strongest creature during your end step, providing a more passive advantage.
Ghostly Prison shares the trait of deterring attacks, albeit in the form of an enchantment that requires opponents to pay mana to attack you, rather than dealing damage and healing. Souls of the Faultless directly interacts with the attacker, making it a formidable roadblock. High Priest of Penance is another similar card that offers a deterrent effect; however, it can destroy any nonland permanent once damaged, directly affecting the board versus the life-based strategy of Souls of the Faultless.
Thus, when comparing these guardians of the battlefield, Souls of the Faultless not only protects its controller but also contributes to a winning life differential, making it a noteworthy card for players looking to fortify their defenses while edging closer to victory.
Cards similar to Souls of the Faultless by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The interesting aspect of Souls of the Faultless is its potential to create card advantage indirectly. Being a defensive wall, it enables you to protect your life total while dealing with multiple threats. It’s also discouraging for opponents to attack into, which can lead to them having card disadvantage over time as it blocks and nullifies creatures that would otherwise require removal spells.
Resource Acceleration: Although Souls of the Faultless doesn’t provide traditional mana acceleration, it contributes to resource acceleration in terms of life points. By gaining life whenever it blocks and damages an opponent’s creature, it effectively increases your resource in the form of life points, allowing you to use life as a resource for other game mechanics.
Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Souls of the Faultless interacts well with cards that can be played at instant speed. This card forces opponents to carefully consider their attacks, potentially leaving them open to instant speed removals and counterspells during their turn, while you have a sturdy blocker in place.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Souls of the Faultless doesn’t require discarding as part of its ability, needing situational interactions means it relies on your opponent’s moves. Its benefit is triggered only when it is targeted or becomes blocked, which can be circumvented by savvy players who may opt not to engage with it directly.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost requires a specific combination of black and white mana, which can be restrictive and may not always align with your mana base. This can potentially delay its play or render it uncastable if your mana isn’t perfectly aligned.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Souls of the Faultless demands a three-mana investment with a stringent color commitment, which is substantial for a creature that doesn’t innately affect the board when it enters play. There are other creatures and spells at this cost that offer more immediate impact or versatility in gameplay.
Reasons to Include Souls of the Faultless in Your Collection
Versatility: A card like Souls of the Faultless adds value to various deck builds due to its defense-oriented abilities. It can thrive in control decks or those centered around a lifegain strategy, acting as a reliable deterrent against attacking creatures.
Combo Potential: With its unique ability to both gain life and deal damage during combat, Souls of the Faultless works well in combinations that capitalize on either aspect. It can synergize with cards that trigger upon life gain or loss, amplifying the impact of such interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggressive decks are prevalent, Souls of the Faultless becomes a crucial inclusion. It can halt momentum of opponent’s creature-based strategies, shifting the game pace to your favor and disrupting their tempo significantly.
How to beat
Souls of the Faultless, an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering, poses a unique challenge for players. This card stands out in the game for its ability to deter attackers and gain life, a trait that demands a strategic approach to overcome it. Unlike other defensive creatures, Souls of the Faultless punishes attackers, making it a tough nut to crack in combat.
To effectively bypass this obstacle, one must look towards non-combat solutions. Board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the field without triggering Souls of the Faultless’ abilities. Alternatively, cards that force a player to sacrifice a creature, such as Diabolic Edict, offer a way to sidestep its defensive stance. Redirecting combat damage or utilizing spells that deal direct damage to creatures or players can also provide a resolution, as these tactics do not engage with the card in a traditional fight.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Souls of the Faultless empowers players to craft a winning strategy against it. It’s not the combat prowess that will prevail but a clever mix of control, removal, and a touch of guile that will ensure victory over this distinctive card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Souls of the Faultless MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact, 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 Souls of the Faultless 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Souls of the Faultless has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Souls of the Faultless card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-02-01 | If Souls of the Faultless is dealt combat damage in a Two-Headed Giant game, you may choose either member of the attacking team as the player who will lose life. The player you choose doesn’t have to be the controller of a creature that dealt damage to Souls of the Faultless. |
| 2006-02-01 | If Souls of the Faultless somehow attacks and is dealt combat damage, you will both gain and lose life when its ability resolves. |