Sphere of Law MTG Card


Sphere of Law - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Number50
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChristopher Moeller

Key Takeaways

  1. Indirect card advantage by diluting opponent’s resources against red-based strategies.
  2. Provides more turns and life protection, smoothing out mana curves for game longevity.
  3. Operates automatically once on the battlefield, offering consistent red spell deterrence.

Text of card

If a red source would deal damage to you, prevent 2 of that damage.

Law smothers anarchy.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sphere of Law may not directly allow you to draw cards, but it certainly gives you an edge by negating damage from red spells. This continuous effect forces opponents to find alternative strategies, which often leads them to spend more resources, inadvertently giving you a subtle card advantage as their resources become diluted.

Resource Acceleration: While Sphere of Law isn’t a resource accelerator in the traditional sense, it indirectly speeds up your game by protecting your life total. This protection gives you more turns to draw into your lands and spells, effectively smoothing out your mana curve and enabling you to play a longer game.

Instant Speed: Sphere of Law operates at a speed that’s automatic once it’s on the battlefield. Its ability to deter red spells is constant, allowing you to focus your mana and actions on other instant-speed interactions, knowing that your defense against one of the most aggressive colors in MTG is already established.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Sphere of Law doesn’t directly require a discard, it does necessitate having the right cards in play to fully utilize its effect. This can be seen as indirectly demanding additional card resources which might otherwise be used for more immediate impacts on the game state.

Specific Mana Cost: Sphere of Law demands a strict white mana cost to cast. This can be a limitation for multicolored decks that might struggle to produce the necessary white mana consistently, reducing the card’s flexibility and overall usability across different deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of four mana, including three generic and one white, Sphere of Law might be seen as costly compared to other protective enchantments or spells. Players could find themselves at a significant tempo disadvantage, especially when facing aggressive decks that thrive in the early game stages.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sphere of Law offers protection for players facing decks with heavy red damage spells or strategies. It integrates well into decks focused on defensive strategies or life gain.

Combo Potential: As an enchantment, Sphere of Law has synergy with cards that benefit from enchantments entering the battlefield. It can also be part of a layered defense strategy in combination with other damage prevention or redirection effects.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where red aggro or burn decks are prevalent, Sphere of Law provides a significant shift in board control, turning the tide of the game by nullifying the repetitive damage typically dealt by these decks.


How to beat

Sphere of Law presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, offering protection against red spells by reducing the damage they deal. This enchantment can be particularly troublesome for players leveraging red’s direct damage strategies. To effectively navigate around Sphere of Law, it is critical to diversify your tactics. Consider employing creatures with robust stats to bypass its damage reduction. Utilizing non-red spells or abilities that can destroy or exile enchantments will neutralize this obstacle, thus restoring your red spells to full potency. Furthermore, spells such as Disenchant or Naturalize are effective tools to directly dismantle Sphere of Law, allowing your strategy to proceed unimpeded. Maintaining a versatile deck with answers to different threats is essential, as it ensures that your game plan remains fluid and adaptable, even when facing specific cards designed to thwart your key strategies.


Cards like Sphere of Law

Sphere of Law brings a unique defensive dynamic to any Magic: The Gathering deck focusing on reducing damage from red sources. In a similar sphere of influence, players might consider Story Circle, which allows you to choose a color and provides the ability to prevent damage from it. Although both cards offer protective measures, Sphere of Law is specific to red spells and requires no additional mana investment to activate its ability once on the field.

Another card akin to Sphere of Law is Circle of Protection: Red. This classic card is more mana-efficient at the outset, and its preventive measures can be activated in a more controlled and targeted manner. However, it also necessitates a consistent mana output to maintain its defensive shield, unlike the passive, once-on-the-field assurance that Sphere of Law offers.

Examining these comparisons, Sphere of Law stands out as a relatively low-maintenance option in a player’s arsenal. Its passive defensive trait against red spells makes it an attractive and worry-free addition for those seeking to fortify their defenses without sustaining recurring costs.

Story Circle - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Red - MTG Card versions
Story Circle - MTG Card versions
Circle of Protection: Red - MTG Card versions

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Karma - MTG Card versions
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Angelic Voices - MTG Card versions
Seeker - MTG Card versions
Drought - MTG Card versions
Justice - MTG Card versions
Divine Transformation - MTG Card versions
Field of Souls - MTG Card versions
Opal Titan - MTG Card versions
Ivory Mask - MTG Card versions
Parallax Wave - MTG Card versions
Worship - MTG Card versions
Diversionary Tactics - MTG Card versions
Moat - MTG Card versions
Teleportation Circle - MTG Card versions
Hallowed Haunting - MTG Card versions
Proper Burial - MTG Card versions
Light from Within - MTG Card versions
Endless Horizons - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sphere of Law MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Sphere of Law and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sphere of Law has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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