Spectra Ward MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Enchantment — Aura |
Abilities | Enchant |
Released | 2014-07-18 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Magic 2015 |
Set code | M15 |
Number | 36 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Ryan Alexander Lee |
Text of card
Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has protection from all colors. This effect doesn't remove Auras. (It can't be blocked, targeted, or dealt damage by anything that's white, blue, black, red, or green.)
Cards like Spectra Ward
Spectra Ward’s unique place in the world of protection spells within MTG makes it a standout. Much like the iconic card Holy Mantle, which grants protection from creatures, Spectra Ward elevates the game by offering protection from all colors, a trait that makes the enchanted creature nearly invulnerable in combat. Unlike Holy Mantle, Spectra Ward’s additional boon of +2/+2 makes it a dual threat, enhancing both defense and offense.
Considering Unquestioned Authority, we notice similarities in granting protection and a card draw upon entering the battlefield. However, Spectra Ward’s comprehensive color protection surpasses Unquestioned Authority’s protection from creatures alone. There’s also the comparison with Indestructibility, which makes a creature impervious to all destruction effects. It does not, though, prevent all forms of blocking or targeting like Spectra Ward does.
Ultimately, the comparison shows Spectra Ward’s impressive versatility and capability to turn a single creature into a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Its broad protection scope is unmatched, cementing its standing as a powerful asset in MTG strategies that focus on individual creature superiority.
Cards similar to Spectra Ward by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Spectra Ward is a powerful aura that can turn the tide of a game by making your creature nearly invincible. By attaching it to your creature, not only do you potentially render removal spells from your opponent ineffective, but you also ensure any future auras add sustained value without the worry of being nullified by regular spot removal.
Resource Acceleration: While Spectra Ward itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, buffering a single creature can indirectly protect the investments you’ve already placed on the battlefield. This can save you mana in the long term, as the need to cast additional creatures or auras is reduced—thereby acting as a resource-conserving measure.
Instant Speed: Although Spectra Ward doesn’t operate at instant speed, its resilience against spells and abilities that your opponents might cast quickly turns your creature into an enduring threat. This allows you to navigate the game more freely, knowing you have a formidable creature that bypasses the limitations and risks typically associated with sorcery-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Spectra Ward doesn’t directly ask the player to discard a card, its specific color requirements could potentially lead to unwanted discards when tweaking a deck’s mana base to accommodate it.
Specific Mana Cost: Commanding two white mana symbols in its cost, Spectra Ward may not seamlessly fit into multicolored or splash decks where mana versatility is critical.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing five mana with two white, Spectra Ward is competing with several impactful game-changers at a similar cost bracket, potentially overshadowing the card in strategic deck-building decisions.
Reasons to Include Spectra Ward in Your Collection
Versatility: Spectra Ward is a unique aura that can elevate your creatures’ resilience on the battlefield. It’s an excellent addition to both aggressive and defensive decks, protecting your key creatures from a wide array of colors and spells.
Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that aim to create a formidable single creature. When paired with other auras or equipment, Spectra Ward can be the cornerstone of a formidable Voltron-style build.
Meta-Relevance: Spectra Ward remains relevant in formats where enchantments play a significant role and targeted removal is prevalent. Ensuring a creature’s staying power can be crucial, and this card does just that in the face of a diverse spell-slinging environment.
How to beat
Spectra Ward is a powerful aura in Magic: The Gathering, providing substantial protection and power-boosting to the creature it enchants. This card turns any creature into a significant threat by granting it +2/+2 and protection from all colors, which can make it seem daunting to overcome. Still, it isn’t invincible. One viable strategy is to target the player directly with colorless creatures or artifacts that bypass Spectra Ward’s protection from colors. Another approach could involve using board wipes that don’t destroy based on color, such as “All is Dust” or “Ugin, the Spirit Dragon’s” -X ability, effectively circumventing the ward’s defensive capabilities.
Furthermore, leveraging spells or abilities that force the opponent to sacrifice creatures can also prove effective. These actions don’t target a creature directly and thus ignore color protection completely. Cards like “Innocent Blood” or “Liliana of the Veil’s” edict effect are prime examples of this strategy. It’s essential to remember that Spectra Ward doesn’t protect against enchantment removal, so ‘Disenchant’ or ‘Return to Nature’, can remove the Ward itself, stripping the creature of its bolstered defense. By considering these options and keeping a flexible strategy, players can find ways to outmaneuver the seemingly overwhelming presence of a Spectra Ward-enchanted creature.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering MTG means not only collecting impactful cards like Spectra Ward but also understanding their strategic applications. Whether you’re tightening the defenses of a single creature or building around a Voltron strategy, cards like Spectra Ward can be key components in your arsenal. Embrace the challenge of integrating powerful auras into your deck and outsmarting your opponents with well-timed plays. Dive into our resources for deeper insights on deck optimization and discover new ways to wield cards effectively in various formats. For players eager to enhance their gameplay and deck-building skills, we’re here to guide you into becoming an adept of the multiverse.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Spectra Ward MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015, 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 Spectra Ward and other MTG cards:
BUY NOWBurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Spectra Ward has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Spectra Ward card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2014-07-18 | Although Auras that are already attached to the creature aren’t affected by Spectra Ward, the enchanted creature can’t be the target of further Aura spells that have one or more colors. |
2014-07-18 | The protection granted by Spectra Ward won’t cause any Aura to be put into its owner’s graveyard, including Spectra Ward itself. However, if the enchanted creature gains protection from white in another way, Spectra Ward will be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. |