Words of Worship MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 2002-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Onslaught |
| Set code | ONS |
| Number | 61 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Rebecca Guay |
Text of card
o1: The next time you would draw a card this turn, you gain 5 life instead.
"The faithful don't succumb to terror, nor are they ruled by passion. They adhere to order, for order is life." —*Volume I, The Book of Faith*
Cards like Words of Worship
Words of Worship stands out in the flexibility it offers in Magic: The Gathering’s rich tapestry of life-gain cards. Comparable to the likes of Well of Lost Dreams, Words of Worship gives players the control to skip a card draw to gain life, which can be pivotal in sustaining through tough matches. Well of Lost Dreams applies a similar concept, allowing for life to convert into potential card advantage. However, it doesn’t offer the direct exchange of draw for life, which Words of Worship excels at.
Another peer in this niche is Book of Rass, which tends to be unfavorable due to its high cost and life payment for drawing cards. While Book of Rass can provide card advantage, it requires a continuous life-investment, as opposed to the one-time effect activation with Words of Worship.
In the realm of life gain and draw manipulation, Words of Worship presents a unique playstyle, making it a fine choice for enhancing strategies built around life metrics. Its ability to turn a common mechanic into a tool for survival is what makes it a noteworthy consideration for players looking to optimize their deck’s endurance in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Words of Worship by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Words of Worship offers a unique spin on card advantage by giving you the option to skip a draw and gain life instead. This can be a strategic move against decks that aim to win by depleting your life total. Its flexibility allows you to adapt to the current state of the game, prioritizing life gain when necessary over adding another card to your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources in terms of mana, Words of Worship can be part of a combo that leads to resource acceleration. In conjunction with certain cards that benefit from life gain or repeated triggered abilities, it can indirectly contribute to ramping up your board presence and strategic advantages.
Instant Speed: This card can be activated at instant speed, which means you can respond to your opponents’ actions by gaining life instead of drawing a card. This reactive capability can be a game-changer, especially during the late game when every decision can determine the outcome of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Words of Worship has an ability that requires you to forgo the normal card draw, essentially discarding the opportunity to add a new card to your hand during your draw step. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your strategy relies on maintaining card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: To activate its life-gaining ability, not only do you need to pay 1 white mana, but the card also demands that you pay an additional generic mana. This restricts its functionality in decks that might not have a consistent way of generating white mana or those that prefer not to allocate resources for this type of effect.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of paying 1 and losing a draw, the life gain offered by Words of Worship competes with other mana-efficient alternatives. Cards that can simply draw more cards or provide a similar life boost without sacrificing card advantage might be preferred by players looking to optimize their deck’s performance.
Reasons to Include Words of Worship in Your Collection
Versatility: Words of Worship is a unique card that can easily fit into decks that are focused on life gain strategies or those looking to utilize their draw steps differently. Its ability to convert card draw into life can be critical when stalling for time or in situations where drawing a card might be detrimental due to an opponent’s disruptive strategy.
Combo Potential: This card offers interesting combo possibilities, particularly in decks that manipulate draw steps or benefit from life gain triggers. With the right setup, it can serve as an engine to activate various abilities multiple times or to sustain your resources in a prolonged game where every life point counts.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where life totals are a major focus, Words of Worship can be an offbeat choice that opponents may not be prepared for. Its ability to skew the typical flow of the game can give you an edge in specific metagames where your life total might be under constant threat.
How to beat
Words of Worship is an intriguing card from the Onslaught set that offers Magic: The Gathering players a unique avenue to trade card draw for life gain. This enchantment can be a game-changer in dedicated life gain strategies, presenting opponents with the challenge of outpacing or disrupting the incremental advantage it provides. Unlike spells that draw cards, Words of Worship can be activated multiple times in a turn, given sufficient draws, making it a resilient tool against decks that can’t apply continuous pressure.
To counter Words of Worship effectively, direct enchantment removal becomes a crucial strategy. Turning to spells like Disenchant, Naturalize, or Mortify can dismantle this ongoing value engine. Aggressive decks need to stay on the front foot, pressuring life totals before Words of Worship can stabilize the game state. In control matches, it is essential to leverage counterspells and hand disruption to prevent the enchantment from sticking or to handle it before it becomes active. Ultimately, dealing with Words of Worship demands timely intervention, disrupting the life gain synergy before it tips the scale too far in favor of the opponent.
By understanding the dynamics of this card and preparing solutions in your deckbuilding and gameplay decisions, you can ensure that Words of Worship does not become an insurmountable obstacle in your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Words of Worship MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Words of Worship 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 Words of Worship has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Words of Worship card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If multiple Words have been used prior to drawing a card, then you can choose which one to apply (and use up) each time you draw a card. |