Magic: The Gathering

Words of War

Onslaught 244 • rare

Set: Onslaught
Collector number: 244
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: 2 generic mana red mana
Type: Enchantment
Colors: Red
Artist: Justin Sweet
Market price: $0.59

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$0.59est. via TCGplayer

Market

What it's worth

$0.59market price via TCGplayer · Aug 8, 2026$0.59 – $0.61 over the tracked period

$0.59Aug 8, 2026

Estimate for a typical copy of Words of War; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

Words of War, illustrated by Justin Sweet, remains a notable rare enchantment from the 2002 Onslaught set. Collectors and players often prize the card for its ability to convert card draw into direct damage, showcasing the aggressive, tactical design themes that defined the Onslaught block.

Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion

Card face

What it does

1 generic mana: The next time you would draw a card this turn, this enchantment deals 2 damage to any target instead.

"Passions can't be shackled by laws or mastered with logic. The choice is freedom or death."— *Volume IV, The Book of Fire*

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards.

Formats

Where you can play it

Tournament legality for Words of War across the formats players actually play.

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernNot legal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards.

Reflects the last catalogue refresh, not a live ruling.

Buy

Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Words of War was released in 2002 as part of the Onslaught expansion for Magic: The Gathering. Set in the plane of Otaria, the expansion focused heavily on tribal synergies and the concept of a shifting, war-torn landscape. The card was designed to capitalize on the set's cycle of enchantments that offered activated abilities tied to card drawing, providing players with a way to convert excess resources into direct damage.

The card features artwork by Justin Sweet, who utilized his signature painterly style to evoke a sense of ancient, magical conflict. His illustration depicts a stoic figure channeling fiery energy, intended to reflect the volatile power inherent in the enchantment. Upon release, the card was noted for its tactical utility in specific burn-focused deck builds, where players sought to maximize the efficiency of draw-step mechanics.

Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion

Other printings

Every version of this card

The same card, printed again — different sets, treatments, and prices.

Words of WarThe List · #ONS-244 · rare$0.32

Collectors

Who's collecting this

Real cards collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.

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About

About Words of War

Words of War is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Onslaught 244 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

How many collectors track Words of War on collecto.rs?

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Can I track my own copy of Words of War?

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Where does the Words of War catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Words of War is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.