Holy Mantle

Holy Mantle is a passive item.

Effects

Grants a shield that negates the first instance of damage taken from a hostile source in each room.
This item belongs to the Seraphim set. Collecting three items from this set will transform Isaac into an angel.

Notes

When the shield is broken, Isaac gets invincibility frames like he does when he would normally take damage, based on the damage it negated; 1 second for half a heart of damage, 2 seconds for a full heart, and 4 seconds for 2 full hearts.
Holy Mantle breaking grants one second of invincibility frames, regardless of the damage source.
Holy Mantle won't be active when initially appearing in the starting room of a floor if it was lost in the room where Isaac left the previous floor.
- If Holy Mantle's shield is broken prior to using R Key, the shield won't be active in the new starting room initially.
As the shield gets restored whenever another room is entered, Holy Mantle allows Curse Rooms to be entered and exited without taking damage.
Holy Mantle does not prevent damage from Blood Donation Machines, Devil Beggars, and Blood Rights.
- However, Blood Donation Machines and Devil Beggars can be played practically for free during the invincibility frames granted when losing the shield, by taking damage from touching a Fire Place, etc.
Damage from Sacrifice Room spikes can be blocked by Holy Mantle, but no payout is rewarded.
The blocked hit does not count as damage taken for related achievements and will not trigger items that activate upon taking damage, like Dead Bird.
The Lost starts with this item after donating 879 coins to the Greed Donation Machine.
When Holy Mantle's shield is broken, a white cross symbol will briefly appear overlaid on top of Isaac and a smashing sound will play.
While Holy Mantle is in effect, a blue cross icon appears in the HUD next to Isaac's health.

Synergies

Belly Jelly / Host Hat / Infamy / Metal Plate: The chance of blocking projectiles is applied before the Holy Mantle, allowing the Holy Mantle shield to be saved.
Blanket / Dogma / Holy Card / Wooden Cross: All stack with Holy Mantle. Holy Mantle applies last.
Blind Rage: Doubles the invincibility frames given when damage is negated.
Damocles: The nullified first hit does not trigger the chance of the sword falling. It will not, however, protect Isaac from the falling sword.
E. Coli / Midas' Touch: On-contact effects still apply to enemies if Holy Mantle negates the contact damage taken.
Isaac's Heart: The shield effect transfers to the heart.
Stop Watch: If damage is blocked with Holy Mantle, Stop Watch will trigger the slow effect.
Tainted Lazarus + Greed Mode: The shield regenerates every wave if broken. This allows one form of Tainted Lazarus to press the button for free on every wave.

Interactions

Bad Trip: Damage is blocked by Holy Mantle.
Dull Razor: Ignores Holy Mantle's shield and works normally.
IV Bag: IV Bag ignores the shield's protection, resulting in Isaac taking damage regardless.
Glass Cannon: Holy Mantle's effect will apply after Glass Cannon reduces Isaac's health to half a heart.
Holy Mantle / The Lost: An extra shield is given in the room it was found in, but the shield is removed when leaving that room and does not reapply.
Sharp Plug: Holy Mantle blocks the damage from Sharp Plug, but also prevents it from adding charges.

In-game Footage

Trivia

This may be a reference to the card of the same name from Magic: the Gathering, a collectible card game Edmund McMillen played since his childhood.

Bugs

Bug!	If the Holy Mantle is removed from Isaac's inventory — for example, when using the D4 — Isaac can still take one damage and it will be negated with Holy Mantle's effect, but only in the room where the items were re-rolled.^{[Check ingame]}

Bug!	Activating Soul of Judas at the same time Isaac blocks a hit with Holy Mantle, time will freeze as normal, but Isaac will be allowed to shoot during the duration of the Dark Arts effect.