Valor MTG Card
2002-05-27 - Number 32
2006-10-06 - Number 16
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Incarnation |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
First strike As long as Valor is in your graveyard and you control a plains, creatures you control have first strike.
"The cracks widened, the shell crumbled, and Valor spread throughout the land." —*Scroll of Beginnings*
Cards like Valor
Valor is a unique creature card that brings a specific tactical advantage to player strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card is reminiscent of other creatures like Akroma’s Memorial, which also grants keywords to your creatures, but Valor specifically focuses on providing vigilance when in the graveyard. Unlike Akroma’s Memorial, Valor demands a specific condition – a Plains on the battlefield, to trigger its ability from the graveyard.
Looking at other cards with graveyard-triggered abilities, we come across the card Haakon, Stromgald Scourge. Haakon, much like Valor, impacts the game from the graveyard, allowing you to cast Knight spells. However, unlike Valor, Haakon can be cast from the graveyard, offering a persistent presence. Then we have Wonder, which grants flying to your creatures as long Valor is in your graveyard and you control an Island, showcasing a similar conditional potency. Even though Haakon and Wonder provide powerful effects, they cater to different tactical setups, just as Valor is tailored for decks that might benefit from the vigilance trait.
Analyzing the dynamics and synergy opportunities, Valor stands out for decks emphasizing combat readiness and defensive maneuvers, carving its niche within the variety of graveyard-utilizing creatures in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Valor by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Valor card encourages strategic deck building by offering rewards when played with certain synergies, potentially cycling through your deck more efficiently and conserving valuable cards in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Enhancing your mana resources, Valor can facilitate faster execution of key spells or summoning of robust creatures, giving you the upper hand in resource management.
Instant Speed: The versatility of instant speed plays grants you the flexibility to respond to threats or create opportunities at a moment’s notice, bolstering your tactical position on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Much like its potent effects, the Valor card requires a player to part with another card from their hand. This enforced discard could be a strategic setback, particularly when your hand-held arsenal is already dwindling, and you need to maintain every advantage possible.
Specific Mana Cost: Utilizing Valor necessitates a commitment to white mana. While white is known for its order and defense, not every deck can accommodate such a rigorous color requirement, potentially rendering Valor obsolete in more color-diverse or off-theme decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the resources allocated toward playing Valor, its cost to enter the battlefield might be perceived as steep. Given that the game gracefully unfolds with cards of lower mana demands offering considerable benefits, it begs the question – is Valor’s impact on the game equivalent to its mana investment?
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Valor can seamlessly enhance a variety of deck types, excelling in those that value creatures in the graveyard. It not only provides a buff to your creatures but also can turn the tide by granting them first strike, a valuable asset in combat.
Combo Potential: When nestled in the graveyard, Valor works hand-in-hand with strategies that manipulate the graveyard. It synergistically boosts graveyard-centric decks or combos with abilities that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield from the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: For metas with an emphasis on combat and creature-based strategies, Valor offers an immediate tactical advantage. In such environments, ensuring your forces have first strike can be the difference between victory and defeat, hence its inclusion can be a savvy move for the informed player.
How to Beat
Valor is a distinctive card in MTG, offering creatures in your graveyard the ability to protect your board by providing them with First Strike when in a Plains. This can often catch opponents off guard, turning a defensive position into a strong offensive one. However, just like every card in Magic, there are strategies to overcome it.
To beat Valor, graveyard disruption is key. Cards like Bojuka Bog can exile all cards from an opponent’s graveyard, negating Valor’s effect entirely. Additionally, running enchantment removal such as Disenchant or Naturalize allows you to directly target and remove Valor from the battlefield. Managing the board state to limit the number of Plains an opponent controls also minimizes Valor’s impact, as without a Plains, the given ability fails to initiate.
Remember, strategic planning and preventing your adversary from setting up a defensible board with First Strike can ensure that the presence of Valor in the graveyard is not a daunting hurdle to overcome. By actively disrupting your opponent’s graveyard and enchantment base, Valor becomes much less of a threat to your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Valor MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and Time Spiral Timeshifted, 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 Valor and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana 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
Printings
The Valor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-05-27 | Judgment | JUD | 32 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 16 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Valor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |