Orim's Cure MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	1999-10-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mercadian Masques
Set code	MMQ
Number	33
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Don Hazeltine

Key Takeaways

Orim’s Cure excels in protecting creatures and preserving life, mirroring the effect of drawing an extra card.
Instant speed casting allows for tactical plays, making the timing of Orim’s Cure’s use crucial to its effectiveness.
The discard requirement and specific mana cost necessitate strategic planning and deck building considerations.

Text of card

If you control a plains, you may tap an untapped creature you control instead of paying the mana cost of Orim's Cure. Prevent the next 4 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Orim’s Cure offers a significant bonus by potentially nullifying damage dealt to you or a creature, which can be the equivalent of drawing an extra card by preserving your in-game resources.

Resource Acceleration: While Orim’s Cure doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana or tokens, it can effectively save mana by protecting your creatures or life total, allowing you to invest those savings into further plays that can advance your board state.

Instant Speed: Being able to cast Orim’s Cure at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s threats or actions in real-time, ensuring that you can maximize the card’s potential by choosing the optimal moment for its use.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Orim’s Cure involves a discard element, making it a trade-off that might not always be favorable. This mechanic requires careful hand management, and in clutch situations, relinquishing a potentially useful card could tip the scales unfavorably.

Specific Mana Cost: Orim’s Cure’s mana cost can be restrictive since it demands both white mana and an additional generic mana. This specific cost means it is primarily a fit for dedicated white or two-color decks, which might complicate its inclusion in more diverse mana base decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the amount of life gain it provides, Orim’s Cure’s cost is on the higher end, which could deter players from choosing it over more mana-efficient life-gain spells or permanents that provide additional utility besides a one-time life boost.

Reasons to Include Orim’s Cure in Your Collection

Versatility: Orim’s Cure offers a unique role in any deck thanks to its ability to provide life gain and creature protection. Its cost-effectiveness allows it to be easily incorporated into white-based decks or sideboards without straining the mana curve.

Combo Potential: As a proactive answer to damage-based removal or aggressive strategies, Orim’s Cure pairs well with cards that gain value when life is gained, fitting smoothly into life gain or “soul sister” decks that benefit from each instance of life gain.

Meta-Relevance: In environments dominated by red decks or burn strategies, Orim’s Cure is a solid addition. It can negate a critical burn spell or combat damage, providing you with a significant swing in life totals and potentially disrupting your opponent’s tempo.

How to beat

Orim’s Cure joins the roster of life-gaining instant spells within the Magic: The Gathering universe, offering a unique twist. It promises not only to bolster your health pool but also to do so conditionally, relying on the presence of white creatures. To effectively navigate this card, one must consider the timing and strategic deployment of removal spells. Disrupting the tempo by eliminating potential white creature targets before the cure can be cast is a strategic play. This not only hinders the anticipated life gain but also potentially exhausts a valuable card in the opponent’s hand without yield.

Another angle to consider is leveraging counterspells. By holding the right counterspell, you’re in a position to deny Orim’s Cure outright, preserving your advantage on the battlefield. Of course, hand disruption tactics can also dismantle plans before they unfold. Cards that force your opponent to discard from their hand can effectively neutralize threats like Orim’s Cure before they have a chance to impact the game.

Ultimately, understanding when and how to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is crucial. Removing key pieces and timing your counters effectively can ensure that cards like Orim’s Cure don’t turn the tide against you.

Cards like Orim's Cure

Orim’s Cure introduces its unique take to the healing spells in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its Prevent Damage mechanic, Orim’s Cure allows players to thwart incoming harm, akin to the spell Holy Day which prevents all combat damage for a turn. Yet, Orim’s Cure distinguishes itself by targeting specifically the next 4 damage that would be dealt to a creature this turn, presenting a more focused form of protection compared to Holy Day’s blanket coverage.

When examining Healing Salve, another prominent card in this niche, Orim’s Cure reveals its advantage by offering damage prevention rather than a strict health gain provided by Healing Salve. Harmony of Nature, also conveys life-related benefits, but it leans towards collective healing rather than direct damage prevention. Furthermore, Orim’s Cure’s optional kicker cost can provide an additional heal, demonstrating versatility that other similar spells may not possess.

Analyzing the intricacies of Orim’s Cure alongside other similar MTG cards shows its particular strategic position. With its specialized damage prevention and its potential for life gain, it is a card that can turn the tides by negating critical damage that could otherwise sway the outcome of a duel.

Cards similar to Orim's Cure by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orim's Cure MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Orim's Cure and other MTG cards: