Exquisite Archangel MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. The Archangel excels in scenarios where a second chance at life swings the outcome of the game.
  2. Instant-speed ability activation offers strategic defense during critical moments of play.
  3. Despite its high mana cost, the card is a valuable asset in multiple formats and decks.

Text of card

Flying If you would lose the game, instead exile Exquisite Archangel and your life total becomes equal to your starting life total.

A living invention born of a grand design.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Exquisite Archangel offers a unique type of advantage. While it does not allow you to draw cards directly, its ability to reset your life total can give you the upper hand, essentially granting you a second chance at victory in situations where defeat seemed certain. This means you can orchestrate your plays without the immediate threat of losing the game, potentially leading to more drawn-out and advantageous matches.

Resource Acceleration: Although the Exquisite Archangel doesn’t directly generate mana or tokens, its sheer presence is a resource accelerator in the sense that it gives you more leeway in using your life as a resource. This can enable more aggressive strategies or the use of high-cost spells without the fear of leaving yourself too vulnerable.

Instant Speed: The angel may not be an instant itself, however, its ability triggers at instant speed which guarantees protection exactly when you need it. This immediate shielding effect can save you in tight spots, particularly when you are about to receive fatal damage, effectively thwarting your opponent’s strategies and turning the tide of the game with a well-timed reveal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Exquisite Archangel doesn’t require a traditional discard to activate its unique ability, having it in play can be a sort of double-edged sword. If your opponent has a way to force you to discard it from your hand, you lose the chance to deploy this formidable safeguard on your battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The Archangel has a strict mana requirement with a casting cost that demands two white mana, which can be challenging in multicolored decks. This specific cost can restrict the card mostly to mono-white or two-color decks where white is a primary color, limiting its versatility in a wide range of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of seven mana, Exquisite Archangel is on the pricier end of the spectrum. This means it usually hits the board in the late game, which might be too late if you’re facing an aggressive or fast-paced deck. Other creatures or spells with lower mana costs could provide you with timely defense or life-saving effects more efficiently.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Exquisite Archangel offers a unique safeguard by allowing you to reset your life total instead of losing the game. This card can provide crucial support in a variety of decks, particularly in Commander format where its effect can be a game-changer.

Combo Potential: With its ability to essentially grant you a second chance, Exquisite Archangel can be central to combos that involve life total manipulation or risky strategies. It’s a perfect match for decks that explore ways to cheat high-cost creatures into play.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive and combo decks strive to win quickly, having Exquisite Archangel on the field means you have an insurance policy against potential one-turn-kill (OTK) strategies. It can be a key card to navigate through such environments successfully.


How to beat

Exquisite Archangel is a powerful force on the battlefield with its unique ability to give MTG players a second chance at victory if they would be defeated. This can often feel overwhelming to face, but there are strategies to mitigate the angel’s influence. The key is to neutralize or bypass the angel’s saving grace effect.

Removal spells that don’t destroy, such as exile effects, can effectively handle Exquisite Archangel. With cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, the angel can be permanently removed from play without triggering its formidable ability. Counterspells are another line of defense, preventing the angel from ever entering the battlefield to begin with. Additionally, strategies that include player-specific damage can circumvent the angel’s protective ability, directly targeting the player rather than dealing damage that would cause defeat through loss of life.

Considering this, players who are prepared with a well-thought-out deck, including versatile removals and direct tactics, can keep Exquisite Archangel in check and maintain the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding Exquisite Archangel’s strengths and limitations can significantly impact strategic gameplay in MTG. Whether it’s leveraging its life-saving ability for a remarkable comeback or recognizing when to have the right countermeasures against it, this card encourages both inventive play and critical preparation. If you find the idea of turning a near defeat into a fresh start compelling, consider incorporating Exquisite Archangel into your arsenal. Are you ready to explore further nuances and discover potent synergies that could reshape the battlefield? Join other MTG enthusiasts in our community and unlock new levels of gameplay. Continue your journey into Magic: The Gathering with us and make your next duel not just another match, but an awe-inspiring bout of wits and strategy.


Understanding Exquisite Archangel’s Role

Exquisite Archangel stands out as a unique life-preserving force in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest peer is Platinum Angel, which also creates a scenario where a player can’t lose the game. However, the Exquisite Archangel goes a step further by offering a reset button – it allows you to start over with your starting life total when you would lose the game, at the cost of exiling the angel.

Cards like Exquisite Archangel

The Exquisite Archangel creates strategic depth in games much like other MTG cards that pivot around life totals. Angel’s Grace is a noteworthy comparison, providing a one-time effect to prevent losing the game for an entire turn. While not a creature, it can be a more immediate answer to lethal damage or loss conditions.

Another analogous card is False Prophet. It doesn’t offer the same life-saving capability, but upon its death, it exiles all other creatures. Although operating under a different mechanic, it still dramatically affects the game’s state by resetting the board, akin to how Exquisite Archangel resets your life total.

Evaluating these cards highlights the Archangel’s unique role as a powerful safety net capable of swinging the game’s momentum, making it a formidable presence on the battlefield in MTG.

Platinum Angel - MTG Card versions
Angel's Grace - MTG Card versions
False Prophet - MTG Card versions
Platinum Angel - Mirrodin (MRD)
Angel's Grace - Time Spiral (TSP)
False Prophet - Urza's Destiny (UDS)

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

Elder Land Wurm - MTG Card versions
Seraph - MTG Card versions
Archangel - MTG Card versions
Ancestor's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Serra Avatar - MTG Card versions
Drogskol Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Eternal Dragon - MTG Card versions
Soul of Eternity - MTG Card versions
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - MTG Card versions
Resolute Archangel - MTG Card versions
Crowd Favorites - MTG Card versions
Kami of the Honored Dead - MTG Card versions
Luminous Angel - MTG Card versions
Angel of Retribution - MTG Card versions
Ghosts of the Innocent - MTG Card versions
Angel of Glory's Rise - MTG Card versions
Windbrisk Raptor - MTG Card versions
Pale Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Yoked Plowbeast - MTG Card versions
Vengeful Archon - MTG Card versions
Elder Land Wurm - Renaissance (REN)
Seraph - Masters Edition (ME1)
Archangel - Starter 1999 (S99)
Ancestor's Chosen - Ultimate Masters (UMA)
Serra Avatar - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Drogskol Cavalry - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Eternal Dragon - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Soul of Eternity - Commander Legends (CMR)
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - Multiverse Legends (MUL)
Resolute Archangel - Magic 2015 Promos (PM15)
Crowd Favorites - Onslaught (ONS)
Kami of the Honored Dead - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Luminous Angel - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Angel of Retribution - Battlebond (BBD)
Ghosts of the Innocent - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Angel of Glory's Rise - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Windbrisk Raptor - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Pale Wayfarer - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Yoked Plowbeast - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Vengeful Archon - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Exquisite Archangel MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt Promos and Aether Revolt, 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 Exquisite Archangel and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Exquisite Archangel Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2017-01-20. Illustrated by Brad Rigney.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-01-20Aether Revolt PromosPAER 18s2015normalblackBrad Rigney
22017-01-20Aether RevoltAER 182015normalblackBrad Rigney

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Exquisite Archangel has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Exquisite Archangel card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2017-02-09 Exquisite Archangel’s effect applies any time you would lose the game, even if you’re not losing due to your life total being 0 or less. If you would have lost the game because you tried to draw from an empty library, you won’t lose again until you try to draw again and still can’t do so.
2017-02-09 Exquisite Archangel’s effect does nothing if you concede the game. A player who concedes leaves the game.
2017-02-09 For your life total to become your starting life total (normally 20), you gain or lose the appropriate amount of life. For example, if your life total is -4 when Exquisite Archangel’s ability applies, it will cause you to gain 24 life; alternatively, if your life total is 40 when it applies, it will cause you to lose 20 life. Other cards that interact with life gain or life loss will interact with this effect accordingly.
2017-02-09 If Exquisite Archangel is dealt lethal damage at the same time that you’re dealt damage that brings your life total to 0 or less, its effect applies and your life total becomes equal to your starting life total. You choose whether Exquisite Archangel is moved to exile or to your graveyard.
2017-02-09 If an effect says that you can’t lose the game, Exquisite Archangel’s effect doesn’t apply.
2017-02-09 If an effect states that an opponent wins the game, Exquisite Archangel’s ability doesn’t apply.
2017-02-09 If you control two Exquisite Archangels, you choose which one’s effect applies. The other’s effect won’t be applicable after that until the next time you would lose the game.
2017-02-09 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Exquisite Archangel’s ability causes the team’s life total to become the team’s starting life total (normally 30), but only you actually gain or lose life.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks