Unholy Strength MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 26 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Enchantment — Aura |
Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Target creature gains +2/+1.
Cards like Unholy Strength
Unholy Strength is a classic aura in Magic: The Gathering that has bolstered creatures since the game’s early days. This card shares similarities with other creature buff spells like Giant Strength, offering an additional power boost. While both enhance a creature’s power, Unholy Strength is more affordable at a single black mana, perfect for early-game advantage.
Comparatively, Dark Favor involves a life cost in addition to the mana spent, yet it grants an even larger increase in power and toughness. What’s notable about Unholy Strength though, is its simplicity and immediate impact on the battlefield, making it a steadfast choice for black decks focused on quick, aggressive strategies.
Examining these alternatives, Unholy Strength remains a competitive option for players looking to increase their creature’s power efficiently. With its low-cost and straightforward effect, it’s a solid addition to decks that aim to overwhelm opponents with swift, strengthened creatures.
Cards similar to Unholy Strength by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Unholy Strength may not draw you cards directly, but its potency lies in amplifying the power of a single creature, essentially consolidating the strength of multiple cards into one fearsome entity. By increasing a creature’s power and toughness, you maximize the utility of every card on your battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: Although Unholy Strength isn’t a conventional form of resource acceleration, the boost it gives to a creature for a modest mana investment can accelerate your offensive capabilities significantly. A larger creature can mean faster victories, effectively shortening the game and reducing the need for additional resources.
Instant Speed: While Unholy Strength is an aura that’s cast at sorcery speed, the surprise factor when played pre-combat or in response to blockers can be just as impactful as an instant. The immediate augmentation of a creature can create abrupt shifts in board presence, potentially leading to favorable combat situations or surprise wins.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Enhancing a creature with Unholy Strength means dedicating your turn to a single spell, which can be a strategic drawback if your hand lack options.
Specific Mana Cost: Unholy Strength comes with a cost that requires black mana. This restriction could prevent inclusion in multicolored decks that might not always have the necessary mana available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the cost for this aura, some players find that investing one black mana for a +2/+1 boost might not be as resource-efficient compared to other buffs or creatures you could play for a similar mana investment.
Reasons to Include Unholy Strength in Your Collection
Versatility: Unholy Strength proves itself as a handy enchantment for various black decks seeking a cost-effective power boost. Its low mana cost means it can be played early on, amplifying the threat level of even the most unassuming creatures.
Combo Potential: Pair this card with creatures that benefit from increased power or have abilities that trigger upon dealing damage. The instant boost can turn the tides by allowing for surprising, high-damage plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that leans towards aggressive playstyles, Unholy Strength can reinforce your creatures’ combat capabilities, making your deck more formidable against opponents and aligning well with fast-paced, combat-centric strategies.
How to beat
Unholy Strength is a classic aura that buffs a creature’s power and toughness in Magic: The Gathering. Given its ability to significantly enhance a creature for a minimal investment, it’s often a go-to for players looking to make a quick, aggressive impact on the battlefield. When facing this card, removal spells are your ally. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize allow you to strip away the aura with ease, diminishing your opponent’s offensive force.
To maintain control over the game, consider timing your spells to disrupt your adversary’s plans. Wait until they’ve committed to an attack or are reliant on the buffed creature. Then, wielding spot removal or mass board wipes like Doom Blade or Wrath of God will clear the path to victory. If direct removal isn’t accessible, relying on creatures with deathtouch or enough toughness to withstand the strengthened assault can stall the opponent’s momentum, granting you vital time to strategize a comeback. Therefore, while Unholy Strength can be intimidating, having the right tools in your arsenal can flip the script in your favor, showcasing the delicate balance of power present in every match of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Unholy Strength MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, 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 Unholy 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
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Printings
The Unholy Strength Magic the Gathering card was released in 21 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
Show/hide all sets# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-08-05 | Limited Edition Alpha | LEA | 131 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
2 | 1993-10-04 | Limited Edition Beta | LEB | 132 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
3 | 1993-12-01 | Unlimited Edition | 2ED | 132 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
4 | 1993-12-10 | Intl. Collectors' Edition | CEI | 132 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
5 | 1993-12-10 | Collectors' Edition | CED | 132 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
6 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 133 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
7 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 133 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
8 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 133 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
9 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 166 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
10 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 166 | 1993 | Normal | White | Douglas Shuler | |
11 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 201 | 1997 | Normal | White | Tom Kyffin | |
12 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 168★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Gary Ruddell | |
13 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 168 | 1997 | Normal | White | Gary Ruddell | |
14 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 169 | 2003 | Normal | White | Puddnhead | |
15 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 169★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
16 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 168★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Puddnhead | |
17 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 168 | 2003 | Normal | White | Puddnhead | |
18 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 185 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
19 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 185★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
20 | 2009-04-10 | Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic | DDC | 47 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
21 | 2009-07-17 | Magic 2010 | M10 | 116 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
22 | 2010-06-04 | Duels of the Planeswalkers | DPA | 36 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
23 | 2010-07-16 | Magic 2011 | M11 | 119 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
24 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic | DVD | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
25 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 425 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler | |
26 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 128 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Douglas Shuler |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Unholy Strength has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |