Avenging Angel MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 7
2015-05-06 - Number 6
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying If Avenging Angel is put into any graveyard from play, you may put Avenging Angel on top of owner's library.
Cards like Avenging Angel
Avenging Angel holds a unique position among MTG creatures, offering a blend of offense and a safety net for strategists. With traits mirroring cards like Guardian Seraph, the Angel commands the battlefield not only with combat skills but also with its formidable ability to manipulate game dynamics. Guardian Seraph, for example, provides a protective aura to its controller by reducing damage from sources, which is complementary to Avenging Angel’s concept of guarding players.
In a broader context, we discover Aegis Angel, a card that bestows an indestructible shield upon another permanent, forging a robust defensive wall similar to Avenging Angel’s safeguarding role. However, Avenging Angel goes a step ahead by returning to the battlefield, essentially giving players an endurance advantage. A closer counterpart may well be Karmic Guide, reviving creatures from the graveyard, echoing the Angel’s resilience but in a different manner, aiming to reinforce the player’s armory.
Offering players a second chance by potentially returning to the battlefield after combat, Avenging Angel stands out with its conditional rebirth ability. This multifaceted tactic for protection and recurrence sets it apart, showcasing its strength as a tactical component within various MTG playstyles and game states.
Cards similar to Avenging Angel by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Avenging Angel presents a tactical advantage by potentially allowing you to recast it from the top of your library after it dies, thereby maintaining card presence on the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: While this angelic card doesn’t directly produce mana or treasure tokens, its presence can be a deterrent, slowing down your opponent’s attacks and potentially preserving your life total, thereby giving you more time to access necessary resources.
Instant Speed: The ability to play it at instant speed via “flash” mechanics or during the end step before your turn could provide surprise defense and offensive capabilities, putting pressure on your opponents and making it a versatile tool during gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To utilize Avenging Angel’s key ability, you need to have it on the battlefield which can be a substantial commitment. In games where board presence is pivotal, losing the angel to trigger its effect can put you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Avenging Angel demands a precise mana configuration of two white and three other mana. This requirement confines the card’s seamless inclusion to decks that can readily produce white mana, potentially excluding it from a variety of multi-colored deck strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The angel’s overall cost of five mana is considerable, which means it competes for a place in your deck against other impactful five-mana spells. Considering the rapid pace of many MTG games, by the time you have the resources to cast this card, your opponent might have already established a dominant position, rendering the angel less effective.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Avenging Angel offers a broad utility in decks focused on midrange and control playstyles. Its flying ability ensures it can serve both as a formidable attacker and a reliable blocker. Its unique reanimation ability when it dies adds to its flexible uses in various game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This angel’s death-triggered ability to return to the top of the library makes it an excellent card for combos with deck manipulation or graveyard strategies. Pairing it with shuffle effects or cards that rely on top-deck synergy can provide a consistent way to keep a substantial threat in play.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that continuously evolves, having adaptable cards is crucial. The Avenging Angel’s ability to be a recurring threat aligns well with strategies aimed at outlasting opponents, which can be particularly effective against decks that struggle with removing flying creatures repeatedly.
How to Beat
Avenging Angel is a card that commands presence on the battlefield with its ability to act as a recursive threat. This angelic force, often poised to make a comeback upon its destruction, can be an annoyance for unprepared players in Magic: The Gathering. Its key strength lies in its ability to return to the top of the owner’s library when it dies, potentially leading to repeated attacks and blocks as long as it can be recast.
To effectively counter this celestial adversary, players need to focus on exiling it or shuffling it into the owner’s library, which prevents it from returning to the battlefield. Strategies that involve graveyard manipulation can also be quite efficient—cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void that exile cards as they hit the graveyard ensure that the angel doesn’t get the chance to make its looming return. Moreover, managing your resources to deal with the angel before it attacks or blocks can be crucial, as it only triggers upon death. Effective timing and strategic removal are the keys to grounding the Avenging Angel for good.
All considered, the Avenging Angel presents an interesting challenge but with the right strategies and countermeasures, this persistent winged-warrior can be kept at bay, allowing players to maintain control of the game’s flow and secure victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Avenging Angel MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Tempest Remastered, 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 Avenging Angel 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 Avenging Angel Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Matthew D. Wilson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 7 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Matthew D. Wilson | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 6 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matthew D. Wilson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Avenging Angel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Avenging Angel card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-04-01 | This has been restored as a triggered ability that triggers when it is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, rather than a replacement effect. The Angel does go to the graveyard, and will trigger any other abilities that look for this event. |