Empyrial Archangel MTG Card


Empyrial Archangel provides a significant advantage by redirecting damage, bolstering player defense. Not a resource accelerator, but ensures player survival for strategic late-game plays. Its unique abilities make it a versatile addition to decks, enhancing both defense and offense.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost8
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Flying,Shroud
Power 5
Toughness 8

Text of card

Flying, shroud All damage that would be dealt to you is dealt to Empyrial Archangel instead.

Her wings are the prayers of the devoted; her sword, the despair of the vile.


Cards like Empyrial Archangel

Empyrial Archangel stands as a pillar of resilience in the multi-colored creature space within MTG. With a blend of vigilance, flying, and an ability that essentially grants its controller a protective shield, it bears some resemblance to cards like Progenitus. Both command a presence with their sizable power and toughness, but Empyrial Archangel trades Progenitus’s protection from everything for a guardian angel role, redirecting damage from its controller to itself.

Comparable to Avacyn, Angel of Hope, Empyrial Archangel offers a unique type of defensive capability. While Avacyn delivers indestructibility to other permanents, the Archangel’s protection is more personal and player-focused. Iona, Shield of Emeria is another counterpart, controlling the flow of the game by locking out spells of a chosen color. However, Empyrial Archangel’s singularity lies in its ability to buy time for its controller, opposing Iona’s more preemptive disruption strategy.

Judging from the strategic advantages each of these guardian-like cards present, Empyrial Archangel holds a significant place for players seeking a potent combination of defense and aerial power in their MTG decks, encapsulating its value in the ability to ensure its controller’s survival in the face of relentless assaults.

Progenitus - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
Iona, Shield of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Progenitus - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
Iona, Shield of Emeria - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Empyrial Archangel by color, type and mana cost

Arcades Sabboth - MTG Card versions
Arcades Sabboth - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Empyrial Archangel offers a dominant board presence. Her ability to shield a player from taking damage essentially allows them to maintain their life total. This edge can translate into a significant card advantage, as opponents must find a way to deal with her before they can affect the player’s life points, often requiring multiple card resources to do so.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, Empyrial Archangel acts as a formidable deterrent against opposing attacks and spells. By safeguarding the player, they are afforded more turns and opportunities to deploy their strategies and draw into more resources, indirectly influencing the pace at which their resources develop.

Instant Speed: The strength of Empyrial Archangel doesn’t stem from being an instant-speed spell, but rather from encouraging strategic play at a similar level. Once on the battlefield, she demands immediate answers. Opponents must consider her in their tactics, which can cause them to play their own instant-speed removal and thus alter the tempo to the Archangel player’s advantage.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other creatures in its class, the Empyrial Archangel demands a precise combination of cards to be deployed effectively. In a game where keeping a strong hand is paramount, having to discard important cards to meet its stringent synergy requirements can put players at a significant disadvantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Empyrial Archangel requires a diverse mana base to cast, demanding one of each color except red, which can prove challenging in non-multicolor decks. This requirement may restrict its inclusion to only certain builds that can accommodate the color spread, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding eight mana to enter the battlefield, the Empyrial Archangel’s cost is high, even within the realm of powerful creatures. With such an investment required, players may find themselves at a tempo loss, especially when faster-paced decks can establish dominance on the board or when facing disruption before the angel can make an impact.


Reasons to Include Empyrial Archangel in Your Collection

Versatility: Empyrial Archangel stands out as a formidable addition to numerous deck types, particularly those that seek a robust finisher. Its shroud ability ensures it remains a resilient threat on the board, while its flying capability asserts a dominant presence against a wide array of opposing defenses.

Combo Potential: When considering strategies that revolve around life gain or protective measures, Empyrial Archangel becomes an excellent choice. Its ability to absorb damage directed at you, redirects gameplay focus, opening avenues for potent combinations with cards designed to exploit such a unique defense mechanism.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts over time, a card like Empyrial Archangel retains value due to its sheer power in deterring opponents’ aggression. Whether you’re facing down sweepers or single-target threats, this angel can play a pivotal role in sustaining your board presence and influencing your opponent’s tactical decisions.


How to beat

Empyrial Archangel is a formidable force in the world of Magic: The Gathering, boasting not only a massive pool of toughness but also an angelic ability that can redirect damage from you to itself. This makes the Archangel a robust defensive card, often turning the tides of battle in your opponent’s favor. To counteract this celestial guardian, it’s essential to have a strategy that either bypasses its damage redirection or removes it from the battlefield entirely.

A well-timed removal spell could be the key; spells that sidestep its ability by forcing a sacrifice, such as Diabolic Edict, can prove to be particularly effective. Alternatively, employing counterspells to prevent the Archangel from entering the battlefield in the first place, can also be a sound approach. Board wipes that clear all creatures at once, like Wrath of God or Damnation, ensure that the Empyrial Archangel doesn’t get a chance to fortify your opponent’s defenses. Being prepared with these tactics can shift the momentum of the game back into your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Empyrial Archangel MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Double Masters 2022, 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 Empyrial Archangel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Empyrial Archangel Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1662003NormalBlackGreg Staples
22022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 2092015NormalBlackGreg Staples
32022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4932015NormalBlackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Empyrial Archangel has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal