Battle Hymn

Battle Hymn was released in 2012 as part of the Avacyn Restored set for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. Developed as a red instant, the card draws inspiration from the set's gothic horror theme, which centered on the liberation of the plane of Innistrad by the archangel Avacyn. Mechanically, it serves as a red ritual effect, allowing players to add mana to their pool based on the number of creatures they control, a design choice intended to reward aggressive, creature-heavy strategies during the set's limited play environment.

The card features artwork by Nils Hamm, whose distinctive, painterly style was instrumental in defining the visual language of the Innistrad block. Hamm’s illustration depicts a scene of fervent religious mobilization, capturing the chaotic energy of common folk emboldened by divine influence. Upon release, the card was received as a functional tool for combo-oriented decks, particularly in the Commander format, where its ability to generate high amounts of mana in a single turn remains a notable utility for players focused on overwhelming board presence.