Flameblade Angel MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 157s
2016-04-08 - Number 157
2016-04-08 - Number 157
2023-03-21 - Number 155
2002-06-24 - Number 60454
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever a source an opponent controls deals damage to you or a permanent you control, you may have Flameblade Angel deal 1 damage to that source's controller.
"You must pay for your sin in blood."
Cards like Flameblade Angel
Flameblade Angel stands out in the Magic: The Gathering roster as a dynamic creature that can impact the board deeply. This flying angel not only poses a threat in the air with a solid 4/4 body, but also punishes opponents for damaging you or your other creatures. When comparing it to other six-mana creatures like Sunblast Angel, Flameblade Angel offers persistent board interaction, although it lacks the immediate board-clearing ability that Sunblast Angel provides upon entering the battlefield.
Looking at other angels, Firemane Avenger comes to mind, it also carries a fly ability, and it provides a burst of life gain and damage during combat. Although the Avenger has a lower casting cost at four mana, the Flameblade Angel’s ability to trigger on any type of damage instead of just during the attack phase grants a wider range and consistency of protection. Furthermore, Guardian of the Gateless can absorb multiple creatures in combat, yet it doesn’t dissuade opponents from attacking or casting spells the way Flameblade Angel can by dealing damage back to them.
In essence, Flameblade Angel adds a layer of defense and aggression that’s uniquely its own. Against a range of creatures in its mana tier, the angel’s blend of offense and defense makes it a fierce competitor on any battlefield.
Cards similar to Flameblade Angel by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Flameblade Angel has the benefit of penalizing your opponent whenever they target or damage your creatures, potentially deterring actions that disrupt your board presence. This effect can indirectly lead to maintaining card advantage as opponents might hesitate to play removal spells.
Resource Acceleration: While Flameblade Angel itself doesn’t provide direct resource acceleration, its presence can influence your opponent’s resource management. Each retaliatory ping for targeting your creatures adds up, potentially accelerating the game towards your favor.
Instant Speed: Though Flameblade Angel is not an instant itself, its ability to deal damage whenever another creature you control is targeted can be seen as a tactical asset similar to instant speed interactions. It’s reactive, discouraging opponents from taking actions on their turn, which can influence the pace of the matchup.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Flameblade Angel requires a precise combination of red and generic mana to cast. This means that in a multi-color deck, securing the appropriate mana sources to cast it can be a challenge, which may not align well with a deck’s mana base strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of six, which includes two red, Flameblade Angel is considered to have a high mana cost. This can affect the tempo of your game, as you may need to wait several turns before you have the resources to play it, potentially giving your opponents time to establish a more dominant board presence.
Deck Strategy Restriction: Flameblade Angel offers a specific type of benefit, rewarding you when you’re taking damage by dealing damage to the opponent. This ability may not synergize with all deck types, particularly those looking to avoid damage altogether or those that emphasize alternate win conditions.
Reasons to Include Flameblade Angel in Your Collection
Versatility: Flameblade Angel offers a broad fit for various red or multicolored deck archetypes. Its flying ability allows it to be an evasive threat in the sky as well as a reliable defender against other creatures with flying.
Combo Potential: This Angel shines in combination plays where its ability to deal damage to an opponent whenever another creature you control is dealt damage can be exploited. Whether it’s through strategic blocking or effects that deal damage to all creatures, the Flameblade Angel rewards you for plays that would typically be disadvantageous.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive strategies earn a seat at the table, Flameblade Angel can tip the scales by penalizing opponents for damaging your board presence. It’s especially well-positioned in metas where board wipes and damage-based removal are prevalent, ensuring your opponent pays for every creature they target.
How to beat
Flameblade Angel presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its potent ability to deal damage to an opponent whenever a source they control hurts you or a permanent you control. This revenge-like effect encourages a cautious approach when facing off against this fiery adversary.
Your strategy should hinge on removing Flameblade Angel swiftly before its ability can tip the scales. Exploit spells that can bypass its ability by not dealing damage directly. Effects that make you sacrifice creatures circumvent the triggered ability, as they don’t deal damage—that means edict effects are particularly effective. Cards like Innocent Blood or Crackling Doom can remove the Angel without inflicting further losses on your life total.
Counterspells are also greatly useful, preventing the Angel from entering the battlefield in the first place. Efficient removals such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile deal with it post-casting without it becoming a recurring threat. In conclusion, the key to dousing Flameblade Angel’s flames lies in prompt and indirect removal, preventing its ability from leveraging any advantage.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Flameblade Angel MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Shadows over Innistrad Promos, 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 Flameblade 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
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Printings
The Flameblade Angel Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 60454 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | ||
| 2 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad Promos | PSOI | 157s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cynthia Sheppard | |
| 3 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 157 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cynthia Sheppard | |
| 4 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad Promos | PSOI | 157 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 5 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 155 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Cynthia Sheppard |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Flameblade Angel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Flameblade Angel card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | If a source deals damage to you and/or one or more permanents you control at the same time, Flameblade Angel’s last ability will trigger that many times. For example, if a creature with trample deals damage to a blocking creature you control and you, Flameblade Angel’s ability will trigger two times. |
| 2016-04-08 | Note that the last ability is optional. Say two players each control a Flameblade Angel, and a source controlled by the first player deals damage to the second player or a permanent they control. The resulting triggered ability may deal damage to the first player, causing the ability of that player’s Flameblade Angel to trigger. That ability may deal damage to the second player, and so on. This cycle will repeat until the game ends or one player declines to use the ability, putting an end to the carnage. |