Orbs of Warding MTG Card


Orbs of Warding provides hexproof to its controller, shielding them from targetable spells and abilities by opponents. This artifact significantly strengthens defenses against strategies reliant on direct damage or targeting player abilities. As a five-mana cost card, Orbs of Warding fits into various Magic decks that prioritize long-term protection.
Orbs of Warding - Magic Origins
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact
Released2015-07-17
Set symbol
Set nameMagic Origins
Set codeORI
Number234
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohann Bodin

Text of card

You have hexproof. (You can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.) If a creature would deal damage to you, prevent 1 of that damage.

One orb to guard the body, one to protect the mind, and one to shield the soul.


Cards like Orbs of Warding

Orbs of Warding shines out in the Magic: The Gathering universe, fitting into a fascinating sphere of artifact cards. It finds parallels with popular cards like Witchbane Orb, which provides a similar immunity to curses and blocks targeted spells. Still, Orbs of Warding takes it a notch up by providing an extra shield against damage.

Consider also Ivory Tower. This artifact gains the player life, creating a beneficial defense, much like Orbs of Warding. The significant distinction here is the additional hexproof ability found with Orbs of Warding, making it a unique pick among the lot.

Aegis of the Gods is another contender, granting the player hexproof, but lacks the damage prevention that is a key attribute of Orbs of Warding. Thus, players looking for a thorough shield might find Orbs of Warding more favourable.

All things considered, Orbs of Warding stands stoutly among its fellow artifact cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique offering of hexproof immunity combined with damage prevention gives it a solid ground in the realm of defense-oriented strategies.

Witchbane Orb - MTG Card versions
Ivory Tower - MTG Card versions
Aegis of the Gods - MTG Card versions
Witchbane Orb - MTG Card versions
Ivory Tower - MTG Card versions
Aegis of the Gods - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Orbs of Warding by color, type and mana cost

Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Hydra - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Hydra - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Orbs of Warding keeps your hand intact as it thwarts opponents’ strategies aimed at making you discard. This MTG card effectively shields your hands, maintaining your card advantage throughout the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Orbs of Warding doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it helps in preserving the ones you have by making you hexproof. This takes away opponents’ direct strategy of resource reduction, indirectly acting as a shield for your life points and battlefield resources.

Instant Speed: Despite not having instant speed, Orbs of Warding provides immediate protection once it hits the battlefield. The card’s ability to reduce damage and ward off targeted spells makes up for a slower play speed. This makes the card a worthy asset when forming strategies for your MTG games.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Orbs of Warding doesn’t hold a discard requirement per se. However, it requires smart deck-building to ensure its optimum use. You might need to discard or sacrifice some other card slots in your deck to make space for this high-cost artifact.

Specific Mana Cost: With a generic cost of five mana, Orbs of Warding demands a significant portion of your resources. While it doesn’t require a specific color, it might exert pressure on your mana curve and make deck-building more challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Orbs of Warding costs five mana, a comparatively high expense for its effect. The cost-reward ratio often becomes a point of critique among players. While it provides a good defense mechanism, you might find other cards with a more efficient cost value ratio for achieving similar benefits.


Reasons to Include Orbs of Warding in Your Collection

Versatility: Orbs of Warding can be effectively used in a variety of decks. Its ability to both prevent a point of damage to you and hinder opponents from targeting you or permanents you control makes it a suitable choice for decks centered around defense.

Combo Potential: Combined with other colorless artifacts, Orbs of Warding can strengthen artifact-centric strategies, forming potent combos that can deter even the most aggressive opponent strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta game dominated by target-specific spells and creature-heavy strategies, Orbs of Warding can provide crucial protection, making it a highly relevant addition to your deck.


How to Beat

Orbs of Warding is an exciting MTG artifact card that offers players a protective edge by reducing damage and providing hexproof. To beat it strategically, cards that directly destroy artifacts are effective. Smash to Smithereens, Manic Vandal and Shattering Spree are cards in more aggressive red decks that can wipe away this defense with quick and direct artifact removal.

Alternatively, cards with untargeted effects or cards that affect all artifacts can bypass Orbs of Warding’s hexproof. Cards like Vandalblast, Naturalize, and Creeping Corrosion circumvent this, silently destroying Orbs along with any other artifacts that may be on the field.

Another approach can be redirecting the focus of the game. By strategy shifting from direct damage to player-life draining using cards like Exsanguinate or Debt to the Deathless, players can still cause significant harm while Orbs of Warding is in play.

In conclusion, while Orbs of Warding offers a robust defensive benefit, clever MTG players, armed with a range of tactics, from artifact removal to game focus shifts, can turn the tide against this formidable card.


Conclusion

In wrapping up, remember that mastering Magic the Gathering is about combining tactical prowess with a keen understanding of each card’s potential. Orbs of Warding stands as a testament to the depth and variety that MTG offers, providing players with tools that make every round a unique challenge. Your quest for domination doesn’t stop here. Leverage your knowledge, keep refining your deck, and seek out the synergies that will have your opponents in awe. Dive deeper into the realms of MTG with us and discover intricate strategies and elusive cards that promise to make every duel an epic encounter. march forth to victory and let your skills reign supreme!


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Orbs of Warding MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins, 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 Orbs of Warding and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Orbs of Warding has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Orbs of Warding card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2015-06-22 The damage prevention effects of multiple Orbs of Warding are cumulative.