Pariah MTG Card


Pariah excels by transforming targeted damage into a defense mechanism for savvy MTG players. Its versatility lies in its instant speed, flipping the tide of battle unexpectedly. Strategic inclusion in decks can amplify its benefits, making it a valuable asset.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Text of card

Redirect to enchanted creature all damage dealt to you.

"It is *not* sad," Radiant chided the lesser angel. "It is right. Every society must have its outcasts."


Cards like Pariah

In the realm of protective spells within Magic: The Gathering, Pariah stands out with its unique ability to redirect damage from the player to a creature. It shares some strategic similarities with cards like Darksteel Myr, which has indestructible and can serve as a great damage sponge. However, Pariah offers the flexibility to choose any creature as the recipient of your would-be damage.

Shielded by Faith is another card that echoes Pariah’s theme of protection. It grants indestructible to a creature, but unlike Pariah, it doesn’t redirect damage. Conversely, Indestructibility offers absolute protection to a permanent, yet still doesn’t address incoming damage to the player. This is where Pariah excels, as it turns any creature into a shield, potentially protecting the player from lethal blows.

Assessing these alternatives puts Pariah in a space where it combines safeguarding the player while utilizing creatures as defensive tools. Even among enchantments designed for protection in Magic: The Gathering, this makes Pariah a tactical option for redirecting harm and potentially transforming the battlefield dynamic in your favor.

Darksteel Myr - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
Indestructibility - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Myr - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
Indestructibility - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Pariah by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Mobilization - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Mobilization - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pariah can turn any incoming damage from a single source to a specific creature you control, essentially nullifying the damage you would’ve taken. This synergistic interaction can accumulate card advantage by protecting valuable creatures or by using indestructible creatures to ensure your board presence remains unaffected.

Resource Acceleration: While Pariah itself doesn’t directly create resources, it can indirectly accelerate your game by conserving resources. Keeping your creatures alive, especially those vital for mana production or other synergies, allows for more efficient resource use over multiple turns.

Instant Speed: The capacity to cast Pariah at instant speed gives you the element of surprise and control over combat dynamics. It allows for strategic plays, enabling you to respond to threats or unfavorable attacks on the fly, thus preserving your life total and maintaining a strong defensive position.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike some other protective spells, Pariah mandates that you already have a creature in play to redirect damage which could leave you vulnerable if your board is empty.

Specific Mana Cost: Pariah requires white mana, which restricts its use predominantly to white-based or multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility in a player’s strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three mana and is entirely color-specific, other options might provide cheaper and more immediate defense or board control.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pariah stands out for its ability to be utilized across various deck archetypes, particularly those utilizing creatures with indestructible or damage-preventive abilities. This can turn any creature into a powerful defensive asset.

Combo Potential: This card opens the door to numerous combos, especially with cards designed to benefit from damage redirection or those that can’t be destroyed. This transforms potential game-ending threats into opportunities.

Meta-Relevance: Given a meta that is creature-heavy or where direct damage is prevalent, Pariah can effectively neutralize big threats or key strategies of opponents, making it a strategic choice for defense.


How to beat

Pariah is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering, shifting potential damage from you to the enchanted creature. While it can create a formidable defense, circumventing this card’s effect is possible. Addressing Pariah directly involves removing the enchanted creature from the battlefield. Utilize removal spells that can bypass any indestructible traits, such as Path to Exile or Terminate, which can exile or destroy the creature regardless of its protection.

Alternatively, focus on effects that can disable enchantments. Cards like Disenchant or naturalize give players a straightforward way to eliminate Pariah, releasing the lock on damage redirection. It’s also effective to deploy countermagic when Pariah is on the stack. Denying its casting with a simple Negate or a Dovin’s Veto prevents it from ever taking effect. Remember, understanding the interactions and having the right answers in your deck or hand is essential when planning to dismantle an opponent’s strategy involving this distinctive card.

Ultimately, while Pariah can be a brick wall for unwary players, those who come prepared with a versatile removal suite won’t be deterred. The key lies in readiness and reaction, ensuring that Pariah’s protective shell is cracked before it can become a game-ending obstacle.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving deep into the dynamics of MTG gameplay unveils cards like Pariah that can fundamentally alter the outcome of a match. Understanding its pros and cons, we’ve dissected how it can be turned into a powerful ally in your deck or how to dismantle its defenses. MTG’s constantly evolving meta demands that you stay informed and ready to adapt. Whether you’re looking to safeguard your life total with skillful plays or eager to thwart your opponent’s strategies, Pariah offers a chance to enrich your deck’s versatility. Visit BurnMana to dive deeper into strategic deck building and refine your MTG prowess with cards that can give you a reliable edge in any duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pariah MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Saga and Seventh Edition, 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 Pariah and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Pariah Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1998-10-12 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11998-10-12Urza's SagaUSG 281997NormalBlackJon J Muth
22001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 301997NormalWhiteScott M. Fischer
32001-04-11Seventh Edition7ED 30★1997NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
42007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 332003NormalBlackJon J Muth
52007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 33★2003NormalBlackJon J Muth
62016-08-26Conspiracy: Take the CrownCN2 952015NormalBlackJon J Muth
72020-09-26The ListPLST 10E-332003NormalBlackJon J Muth
82024-04-19Breaking NewsOTP 52015NormalBorderlessMagnus Jansson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Pariah has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Pariah 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 All damage being dealt to you at one time gets redirected to one Pariah. If you take 3 damage at once, all 3 damage goes to one Pariah. If you take damage from multiple creatures in combat, all the combat damage goes to one Pariah.
2004-10-04 You can attach this to an opponent’s creature, and all damage done to you is instead done to their creature.