Strength of Isolation MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Enchantment — Aura |
Abilities | Enchant,Madness |
Released | 2002-02-04 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Torment |
Set code | TOR |
Number | 17 |
Frame | 1997 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Jerry Tiritilli |
Text of card
Enchanted creature gets +1/+2 and has protection from black. Madness o W (You may play this card for its madness cost at the time you discard it from your hand.)
Don't mistake isolation for safety.
Cards like Strength of Isolation
Strength of Isolation is an intriguing option among aura enchantments in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarity to cards like Ethereal Armor, which also grants a power boost based on the number of enchantments controlling the battlefield, sans the vigilance. However, it’s the additional ability to provide vigilance that sets Strength of Isolation apart, making it a dual-purpose tool to not only enhance your creature’s combat prowess but also fortify its defensive utility.
Guardian’s Magemark presents a comparable function. While it doesn’t provide the boost to power that Strength of Isolation does, it offers a communal effect, giving every creature you control that’s enchanted a subtle edge in toughness. There’s also the aspect of Cartouche of Solidarity that comes into the picture. Although it lacks the vigilance ability, Cartouche of Solidarity compensates by creating a 1/1 white Warrior creature token with vigilance — a potential strategic advantage in terms of board presence.
Assessing Strength of Isolation in the wider context of aura enchantments, it holds a firm position with its versatility and the advantage of making a single target both a formidable attacker and a steady defender on the board.
Cards similar to Strength of Isolation by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Strength of Isolation brings a compelling tactical edge by being more than just a protective aura; it potentially offers card advantage by outmaneuvering opponents’ removal spells, saving your creature from an otherwise detrimental trade-off.
Resource Acceleration: Often overlooked but undeniably valuable in MTG is the tempo boost gained from resource acceleration. Strength of Isolation propels you ahead by unleashing your threatening creatures earlier, thanks to its affordable mana cost and the qualitative upgrade it provides.
Instant Speed: The ability to cast Strength of Isolation at instant speed is a game-changer, allowing you to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield on the fly. Whether it’s a surprise block or dodging a sweep at the last second, this card ensures you remain one step ahead of your opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Strength of Isolation card mandates the forfeiting of another card from your hand to activate its effects, which could lead to a significant disadvantage when your hand is already running short on options.
Specific Mana Cost: With its white mana cost, Strength of Isolation may not seamlessly fit into decks that aren’t heavily focused on white mana, thus potentially restricting its playability to mono-white or similar color-focused decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a considerable amount of mana for its aura effect, Strength of Isolation could be less preferable compared to other enchantment options, which might offer similar or enhanced benefits for less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Strength of Isolation is a highly adaptable aura in MTG that can be embraced by various deck archetypes. Its ability to bestow +1/+2 and vigilance, along with its threshold bonus to also grant protection from black, makes it a prime choice for both aggressive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card goes beyond the surface, combining well with creatures that benefit from enchantments or have tap abilities. The vigilance aspect ensures your creatures stay ready for defense even after attacking, creating opportunities for synchronized plays within your creature-centric decks.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where black is a predominant color, Strength of Isolation really shines. With the uptick in decks using black for removal or creature control, providing one of your key creatures with protection can mean the difference between victory and defeat, adjusting dynamically to the ever-shifting metagame.
How to Beat
Strength of Isolation is an intriguing Aura in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, providing creatures with a significant protective advantage. The card’s main draw is its ability to grant a creature protection from a color of your choice, making it challenging for the opponent to target. Nevertheless, overcoming this card is possible with careful strategy. Non-colored spells such as board wipes or artifacts could be employed, as they’re not hindered by protection abilities. Similarly, forcing the opponent to sacrifice creatures bypasses protection, with cards like Plaguecrafter presenting a formidable option regardless of an Aura’s presence. Lastly, focusing on removing the Aura itself, rather than the creature it enchants, with enchantment destruction spells like Naturalize, can be a key maneuver in weakening your opponent’s defenses.
While Strength of Isolation can turn a single creature into a formidable blocker or an unassailable attacker, leveraging the wide array of non-color specific removal spells and strategies will help keep the board under control. Thus, despite its potency in creating a color-immune threat, a tactical approach that includes these kinds of solutions will effectively nullify the perceived invulnerability granted by Strength of Isolation.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Strength of Isolation MTG card by a specific set like Torment, 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 Strength of Isolation 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 Strength of Isolation has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |