Angelic Cub MTG Card


Angelic Cub gains strength from lifegain; its power can snowball, turning it into a formidable threat. Instant speed enhancement gives players real-time adaptability and greater control during matches. The card’s dependency on white mana and trade-off of card economy may limit its deck versatility.
Angelic Cub - Jumpstart 2022
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cat Angel
Released2022-12-02
Set symbol
Set nameJumpstart 2022
Set codeJ22
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number2
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMiranda Meeks

Text of card

Whenever Angelic Cub becomes the target of a spell or ability for the first time each turn, put a +1/+1 counter on it. As long as Angelic Cub has three or more +1/+1 counters on it, it has flying.


Cards like Angelic Cub

Angelic Cub is a charming entry in the series of life-gain related creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities to Ajani’s Pridemate, a well-known card that also gains a +1/+1 counter each time you gain life. Where Angelic Cub takes flight, however, is with its additional angelic trait that unlocks synergy with angel-focused decks and buffs.

Comparatively, we also have Bloodthirsty Aerialist, which likewise thrives on life gain to bolster its power but it commences as a stronger creature and also has flying. This grants it an immediate board presence that Angelic Cub may lack initially. Whereas Healer’s Hawk is a petite and cost-effective life-linking flier that can start enhancing your life total from the very first turns of the game.

Ultimately, in evaluating the worth of creatures that get stronger with life gain, Angelic Cub definitely carves its niche. It suits players who enjoy combining the life-gain strategy with an angelic theme, adding an extra layer of strategic depth and deck-building fun in MTG.

Ajani's Pridemate - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions
Healer's Hawk - MTG Card versions
Ajani's Pridemate - MTG Card versions
Bloodthirsty Aerialist - MTG Card versions
Healer's Hawk - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Angelic Cub by color, type and mana cost

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Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions
White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Cloudreach Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Samite Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Firewalker - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Angelic Cub may seem understated, but the ability to contribute to card advantage should not be overlooked. By having the capability to get stronger with certain gameplay actions, it provides the opportunity to turn even a minor threat into a major one over the course of a game. This ensures that your hand’s potential value increases as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Angelic Cub’s utility goes beyond its initial impact on the board. Although it doesn’t directly generate resources, its lifelink ability can be pivotal in decks that benefit from life gain. By providing consistent life points, it indirectly accelerates your game plan in archetypes that capitalize on high life totals to trigger powerful effects.

Instant Speed: The fact that Angelic Cub can be enhanced at instant speed is a significant strategic advantage. This allows you to make critical decisions in real-time based on the flow of the game, potentially buffing the Cub in response to an opponent’s actions. Being able to interact or react without committing resources prematurely gives a player greater control over the pace and outcome of the match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Angelic Cub often requires players to part with a valuable card from hand to activate key abilities. This trade-off can be particularly taxing when you’re already behind or do not have a surplus of expendable cards.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s cost demands a commitment to white mana, which may restrict its use to decks that are heavily or exclusively white. Players running multicolor deck compositions might find it challenging to consistently meet the mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered high for its base stats and abilities, players might find it less efficient compared to other creatures within the same cost bracket. When building a deck, it’s crucial to evaluate the overall mana curve, and Angelic Cub might not always represent the best value for the mana invested.


Reasons to Include Angelic Cub in Your Collection

Versatility: Angelic Cub is a flexible card that can easily find a home in any deck focusing on lifegain or angelic synergies. Its ability to grow stronger as you gain life makes it a threat that scales well into the late game.

Combo Potential: With the right lifegain combo, Angelic Cub can become a powerhouse on the battlefield. Pair it with cards that trigger life gain each turn, and watch as the Cub transforms into a formidable creature your opponents can’t ignore.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where aggressive and midrange decks are prevalent, Angelic Cub provides both an early blocker and a potential game-ending threat. As it benefits from any source of life gain, it has inherent value in many current deck archetypes.


How to beat

The Angelic Cub is a unique creature card in MTG that can be tricky for players to handle due to its lifelink ability and the potential for power increases. To effectively beat this card, it’s essential to focus on removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their size. Look into instant-speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile which provide a versatile answer to the Cub once it begins to grow in power.

It’s also wise to limit the number of combat tricks your opponent can leverage, as these can unexpectedly enhance Angelic Cub’s power during battle. Denying your opponent the lifegain offered by the Cub is another strategic point, so employing cards that can negate lifegain, such as Tibalt, Rakish Instigator, can be effective.

Preventative measures, such as counterspells, can also provide an edge by stopping Angelic Cub from entering the battlefield entirely. Consider Mana Leak or Essence Scatter to keep this angelic threat at bay. When constructing your deck, including versatile answers to addressing both early game threats like Angelic Cub and potential late-game powerhouses can provide a balanced strategy for victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Angelic Cub MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 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 Angelic Cub and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Angelic Cub has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal