Archon of Redemption MTG Card
2010-02-05 - Number 3
2020-07-17 - Number 90
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Archon |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Archon of Redemption or another creature with flying enters the battlefield under your control, you may gain life equal to that creature's power.
Until Emeria is freed, he raises his sword in her name.
Cards like Archon of Redemption
Archon of Redemption is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, sharing traits with other life-gain flying creatures. A card that immediately comes to mind when comparing is Angelic Skirmisher, which also provides considerable value on both offense and defense with its flying ability and beneficial effects during combat. While the Archon offers life gain tied to flying creatures entering the battlefield, the Angelic Skirmisher extends various combat advantages to all creatures you control.
In the sphere of life-gain creatures, another peer is Serra Avatar. This mammoth avatar ties its power and toughness to your life total, potentially outclassing the Archon in sheer size. The Archon, however, provides consistent incremental life gain, which could be more reliable in decks with multiple flying creatures. Additionally, Riders of Gavony stands out as it offers protection for your creatures from a chosen creature type, though it lacks the life-gain synergy that Archon of Redemption excels at.
Understanding the unique dynamics each card brings to a deck, Archon of Redemption holds a special place in MTG for players who favor flying creatures and incremental life gain strategies, creating aerial advantages not easily replicated by other cards.
Cards similar to Archon of Redemption by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Archon of Redemption presents the possibility to gain incremental life points, helping players recover from a deficit while maintaining pressure on the opponent. Each instance of flying synergy equates to not just board state presence, but also to replenishing your life total, which can create a substantial gap between you and your adversary.
Resource Acceleration: With this card, resource acceleration manifests not as additional mana but as an enhancement in life resources. Each flying creature entering the battlefield under your control underscores your life buffer, effectively giving you a greater threshold to utilize life-draining effects or spells without jeopardizing your survival.
Instant Speed: While Archon of Redemption itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its passive ability triggers during any phase of the game. This means that playing creatures with flying on your turn, or leveraging flash during an opponent’s turn, maximizes the Archon’s life-gaining potential, often catching opponents unprepared and tilting the tide in your favor during their assault.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite its potent life-gain ability, Archon of Redemption requires discarding another card to harness its full potential, which might force players to sacrifice valuable hand assets prematurely.
Specific Mana Cost: Demanding a stringent mana cost that includes two white symbols, this card could be restrictive when it comes to deck-building, especially in multicolored decks seeking mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three of any color plus two white, Archon of Redemption can be a heavy investment. Players may find other cards in the pool that provide similar or better effects for less, making the high cost a noticeable drawback in fast-paced matches.
Reasons to Include Archon of Redemption in Your Collection
Versatility: The Archon of Redemption is a flexible addition to any deck focusing on life gain or flying creatures. Notably, its ability to restore life whenever a creature with flying enters the battlefield under your control can be a resilient strategy across multiple game plans.
Combo Potential: This card can be a powerful piece in synergistic setups, especially in conjunction with cards that create multiple flying tokens or effects that can flicker creatures to trigger its life gain multiple times. The recurring life gain can be a decisive factor in outlasting opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where aggressive strategies are common, Archon of Redemption can be highly effective. Gaining life can be crucial against burn decks, and the presence of a 4/4 flying body can deter attacks from airborne attackers and stabilize the board state.
How to beat Archon of Redemption
Archon of Redemption is a powerful card that presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As a creature that allows a player to gain life whenever a creature with flying enters the battlefield under their control, it can turn the tide in favor of the controller by bolstering their life total significantly. To counteract this, timing and strategy are crucial.
One effective approach is employing removal spells before the Archon has a chance to create a substantial life gap. Instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can be pivotal in disrupting your opponent’s plan. Another tactic is to utilize flying creatures with combat damage prevention abilities or those that can block and destroy the Archon, such as Plummet or cards with reach.
The key to overcoming Archon of Redemption lies in preventing it from establishing a foothold on the board, thus cutting off the life-gain advantage. Swiftly eliminating the threat or countering it with well-timed spells and strategic creature deployment can ensure that the scale remains balanced in your favor throughout the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Archon of Redemption MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake and Jumpstart, 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 Archon of Redemption and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Archon of Redemption Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-02-05 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Archon of Redemption has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Archon of Redemption card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2010-03-01 | The creature’s power is determined as the triggered ability resolves, so it will take into account any effects that modify it. If the creature has left the battlefield by the time the triggered ability resolves, its last existence on the battlefield is checked to determine its power. |