Herald of Vengeance MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2022-06-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: New Capenna |
| Set code | YSNC |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 2 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Billy Christian |
Text of card
Flying When Herald of Vengeance enters the battlefield, destroy each permanent you don't control that has the same name as a permanent that dealt damage to you last turn.
Cards like Herald of Vengeance
Herald of Vengeance joins Magic the Gathering’s ranks of creatures designed to impact the battlefield with both aggressive and control elements. It echoes the functionality of cards like Exalted Angel, which provides a lifelink ability that aids in both offensive and defensive strategies. However, Herald of Vengeance has the additional perk of dealing direct damage tied to life gain — a balance that can shift the tides mid-game.
As we delve deeper into similar mechanics, Lightning Helix stands out with its direct damage and life gain blend, though it exists as a spell rather than a creature. Both cards can offer a substantial life swing, but Herald of Vengeance presents sustained board presence. Another analogous card, Archangel of Thune, bolsters your other creatures upon life gain, further establishing board dominance but at a higher mana cost than Herald of Vengeance.
Assessing the comparative advantage within the MTG meta, Herald of Vengeance provides a unique intersection of damage and life gain, introducing tactical versatility that can be explored in various deck builds that prioritize immediate and lasting influence on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Herald of Vengeance by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Herald of Vengeance offers an edge by potentially removing an opponent’s key creature or planeswalker. This disruption can lead to a significant swing in card parity, giving the player a better position in the long term.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct ramp tool, if the Herald of Vengeance’s ability is used to destroy a resource-heavy threat, it effectively accelerates your resource advantage over the opponent. This can help you take the lead in developing your board while the opponent scrambles to recover.
Instant Speed: The reactive nature of Herald of Vengeance’s ability at instant speed makes it a versatile tool. It allows players to navigate through complex combat phases or end steps, keeping opponents guessing and forcing them to play around potential removal, which could disrupt their game plan.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Herald of Vengeance requires discarding another card as part of its casting cost. This can be quite taxing on your hand, especially in the earlier stages of the game when you’re working to establish your board presence and card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana combination to be cast, which could be challenging in multi-colored decks. It narrows the range of decks it can efficiently operate in, potentially limiting its versatility and causing issues with mana consistency.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its relatively steep mana requirement, specifically needing both white and black mana, there could be more cost-effective alternatives available. In a game where tempo is crucial, the mana investment in Herald of Vengeance might not always align with the pace you want to set, especially considering the additional cost of discarding a card.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Herald of Vengeance proves to be flexible across various deck archetypes. Its ability to disrupt opponents while offering aggressive tactics makes it a useful addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: Thanks to its ability to deal damage when playing spells, Herald of Vengeance can be a lynchpin in decks built around spell-slinging and damage amplification, enhancing both offensive and synergistic strategies.
Meta-Relevance: For environments saturated with creature-based strategies, Herald of Vengeance serves as a preemptive answer, potentially shaping the battlefield to your advantage with its impactful presence.
How to beat
Herald of Vengeance enters the battlefield as a formidable presence in any MTG deck. With its ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies, it can be challenging to navigate a path to victory against this card. To effectively tackle Herald of Vengeance, players should prioritize removal spells that can neutralize it before its abilities come online. Cards such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider work well as they bypass any indestructible traits or protect against regeneration.
In addition to targeted removal, countering the spell outright is also a valid strategy. Counter magic like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can prevent Herald of Vengeance from ever impacting the board. Moreover, players should consider the timing of their spells. If Herald of Vengeance is in a deck that leverages end-turn dynamics, plan your removal for the main phase to avoid giving your opponent an advantage.
Finally, edict effects that force a player to sacrifice a creature can be quite effective against Herald of Vengeance, especially if it’s their only creature on the battlefield. Utilizing these strategies can help pivot the game back in your favor, keeping your opponent’s threat at bay. Understanding your deck and anticipating this high-impact card are key to mastering the matchup against Herald of Vengeance.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Herald of Vengeance MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: New Capenna, 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 Herald of Vengeance 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Herald of Vengeance has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |