Angelic Protector MTG Card


Angelic Protector provides card advantage and can dramatically affect combat outcomes when targeted. Deploying this card requires careful mana management due to its white mana demand and higher cost. Its versatility and meta relevance make it a substantial addition to decks that benefit from creature targeting.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying If Angelic Protector is the target of a spell or ability, it gets +0/+3 until end of turn.

"My family sheltered in her light, the dark was content to wait." —Crovax


Cards like Angelic Protector

Angelic Protector is a notable creature card providing a defensive advantage for players in Magic: The Gathering. Within the same sphere, cards like Serra Angel bring a similar essence to the battlefield. Both offer flying capabilities, yet Serra Angel stands out with vigilance, enabling it to attack without tapping. This key feature allows for consistent offensive and defensive play, unlike Angelic Protector which focuses primarily on protection.

Diving deeper into comparisons, we have Guardian of the Gateless, which not only flies but also can block any number of creatures, highlighting its prowess in defense. While Angelic Protector gains toughness when targeted by spells, Guardian of the Gateless naturally excels in multi-creature defense scenarios, adding an extra layer of versatility. Additionally, there’s Voice of the Provinces, another celestial being that flies and brings along a 1/1 Human creature token, thus creating more board presence.

In evaluating these angelic guardians, Angelic Protector remains a valuable choice for those favoring a tactical approach to shield their life points and important assets on the grid. Each card, while sharing a heavenly motif, offers distinct strategies to elevate a player’s game in versatile and compelling ways.

Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Gateless - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Provinces - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Guardian of the Gateless - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Provinces - MTG Card versions

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

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Guard - MTG Card versions
Galepowder Mage - MTG Card versions
Kor Cartographer - MTG Card versions
Sunspire Gatekeepers - MTG Card versions
Akroan Mastiff - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Guard - MTG Card versions
Galepowder Mage - MTG Card versions
Kor Cartographer - MTG Card versions
Sunspire Gatekeepers - MTG Card versions
Akroan Mastiff - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Angelic Protector shines in its ability to create card advantage through its powerful presence on the battlefield. When it’s targeted by a spell or ability, it gains a temporary boost in power and toughness, potentially turning the tide of battle and allowing you to outvalue your opponent in key combat phases.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly influencing mana resources, Angelic Protector can potentially reduce the need for additional creature spells by holding the line with its formidable boosted state, thereby indirectly accelerating your access to other resources and spells in your deck.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Angelic Protector can interact favorably during combat at instant speed. Its triggered ability activates whenever targeted, which can include instant-speed spells or abilities, allowing for strategic and unexpected combat advantages that can surprise your opponent and shift the board state in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wielding an Angelic Protector often comes at the price of card advantage. If a spell or ability requires discarding this celestial guardian, you may find yourself losing momentum as you trade resources for her presence on the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: Summoning this aerial defender demands a precise blend of mana, with white mana as a non-negotiable component. This stipulation can restrict deck versatility, confining the Protector to decks that run white mana or dual lands that might be better suited for more flexible strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that leans on the higher side, evaluating the Angelic Protector against other creatures you could cast can reveal an imbalance. In the fast-paced environment of MTG, deploying cost-efficient creatures is key, and there may be alternatives that offer a better return on your mana investment.


Reasons to Include Angelic Protector in Your Collection

Versatility: Angelic Protector can provide a solid presence in the air for any deck needing a defensive boost while also offering an aggressive angle with its power bolstering ability when targeted by spells.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy with decks that focus on targeting their own creatures for beneficial effects, potentially leading to powerful plays and unexpected battlefield advantages.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to survive and thrive in combat scenarios, Angelic Protector can be a key player in a meta that’s heavy on creature conflicts or in environments where combat tricks are common.


How to beat

The Angelic Protector plays a unique role in the realm of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. As a card that boosts its own toughness and power whenever targeted by a spell, it presents a strategic challenge. Overcoming this protector requires a careful approach. One method is using mass removal spells which circumvent the targeting mechanism altogether, ensuring the protector can’t capitalize on its ability to grow stronger. Cards like Wrath of God or Doomskar are perfect for resetting the board and negating the protector’s advantage without triggering its ability.

Alternatively, players can redirect their spot removals, such as Murder or Path to Exile, towards creatures that don’t possess such self-buffing capabilities. By maintaining pressure and creating threats that demand an immediate answer, the Angelic Protector could be tactically ignored or forced into an unfavorable block. This way, players can manage the board effectively while not falling into the trap of bolstering the protector’s stats through inadvertent targeting. Hence, understanding the nuances of one’s removal suite becomes key in navigating encounters with resilient creatures like the Angelic Protector.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Angelic Protector MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic, 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 Protector and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Angelic Protector Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by DiTerlizzi.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11997-10-14TempestTMP 21997NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
22009-04-10Duel Decks: Divine vs. DemonicDDC 62003NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
32014-12-05Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. DemonicDVD 62015NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
42015-05-06Tempest RemasteredTPR 22015NormalBlackDiTerlizzi
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 1472015NormalBlackDiTerlizzi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Angelic Protector has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-10-01 The ability triggers when Angelic Protector is chosen as a target for a spell or ability. The Protectors ability will be put on the stack above that spell or ability, and so resolve first.