Mortal's Ardor MTG Card

Born of the Gods (BNG)
2014-02-07 - Number 20

Mortal's Ardor - Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora (DDO)

Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora (DDO)
2015-02-27 - Number 19

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 182

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number DDO-19

Card sets	Released in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant

Key Takeaways

Increases card presence and survivability – Mortal’s Ardor can save critical creatures during play.
Enhances resource use – Small mana investment for potentially high return on the battlefield.
Flexible in-game use – Cast at instant speed to optimally navigate combat scenarios.

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains lifelink until end of turn. (Damage dealt by the creature also causes its controller to gain that much life.)

"Such deeds should be common fare for such as us." —Anax, king of Akros

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mortal’s Ardor might not directly equip you with additional cards, but its ability to potentially save a creature from being destroyed keeps your card presence sturdy on the battlefield. Keeping your creatures alive ensures you maintain the edge over your opponent in terms of card presence.

Resource Acceleration: While Mortal’s Ardor doesn’t produce mana or treasure tokens, the cost-benefit of this card can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. By investing just one white mana, you enhance a creature’s ability to survive and potentially eliminate an opponent’s creature, leading to a better use of your resources.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of Mortal’s Ardor provides strategic flexibility during the game. You can cast it in response to an opponent’s action, be it during combat or in reaction to a spell aimed at removing your creature, thus using your mana and card at the most opportune moment.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Mortal’s Ardor does not require a discard, it is a single-use card which may be considered a loss if used without strategic planning, or if the buffed creature is quickly neutralized.

Specific Mana Cost: Mortal’s Ardor requires white mana to be cast. This mana specificity can sometimes limit the card’s inclusion solely to white decks or decks that can reliably produce white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of one white mana for a temporary boost, some players may argue that the slot could be better filled by other low-cost cards that offer permanent buffs or more versatile effects. Additionally, in a situation where mana economy is crucial, spending that mana on a short-term effect might not be the most efficient play.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mortal’s Ardor is a valuable addition due to its flexibility in supporting a variety of decks. It can be a game-changer in both aggressive and defensive strategies, providing life gain and power enhancement at a critical moment.

Combo Potential: Its ability to offer instant-speed lifelink and a power boost allows it to synergize with cards that benefit from life gain or creature strength. These combinations can enhance your deck’s performance significantly.

Meta-Relevance: Given that the current meta can fluctuate with creature-based strategies, Mortal’s Ardor adds a layer of resilience and opportunity for surprise combat advantages against opponents, making it a strategic defense tool.

How to beat

Mortal’s Ardor is a small yet potent card in the MTG universe known for its ability to offer a quick buff and lifelink to a creature until end of turn. To navigate against this surprise, it’s essential to control the timing of combat. Keeping up mana for instant-speed removal can make Mortal’s Ardor less of a threat by eliminating the buffed creature before damage is dealt. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push are prime examples of how to swiftly dispatch an opponent’s creature in response to Mortal’s Ardor, negating both the temporary power boost and the potential life gain they were counting on.

Another effective strategy is to hold back counterspells for pivotal combat tricks like Mortal’s Ardor. A well-timed Negate or Essence Scatter can ensure the card never takes effect, leaving your opponent’s plans thwarted. It’s also worth noting that since Mortal’s Ardor is commonly found in white decks focused on creature synergy, sweepers like Wrath of God can reset the board and make one-shot buffs irrelevant. Managing resources wisely and anticipating key spells are the cornerstones of outplaying opponents who rely on combat tricks like Mortal’s Ardor.

Ultimately, understanding the meta and preparing for common plays allows players to remain one step ahead. By employing disruption at the right time, Mortal’s Ardor’s impact on the game can be significantly diminished, or better yet, turned into an advantage for the controlling player.

Cards like Mortal's Ardor

Mortal’s Ardor is a noteworthy instant spell in Magic: The Gathering, providing both a temporary boost in power and the added advantage of lifelink until end of turn. In comparison to other combat tricks, Mortal’s Ardor is akin to cards like Moment of Heroism. Moment of Heroism also grants a +2/+2 increase and lifelink, but differs slightly in mana cost, requiring one additional white mana.

Additionally, we have cards like Gods Willing, delivering protection from a color of your choice along with a beneficial scry effect. Though lacking the lifelink or power boost, the protection aspect can be a game-changer. Brute Strength is another relative, sharing the theme of temporary power enhancement with its +3/+1 boost, but it trades the lifelink for trample, appealing to a more aggressive playstyle.

Examining their roles in a player’s arsenal, Mortal’s Ardor stands out in its versatility. It’s particularly useful in white weenie strategies that benefit from both the offensive and defensive perks of lifelink. Versus the other mentioned cards, Mortal’s Ardor offers a balanced mix, which is essential for maintaining momentum and survivability in combat scenarios.

Cards similar to Mortal's Ardor by color, type and mana cost

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mortal's Ardor MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods and Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora, 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 Mortal's Ardor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mortal's Ardor Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2014-02-07	Born of the Gods	BNG	20	2003	Normal	Black	Kev Walker
2	2015-02-27	Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora	DDO	19	2015	Normal	Black	Kev Walker
3	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	182	2015	Normal	Black	Kev Walker
4	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	DDO-19	2015	Normal	Black	Kev Walker