Illusory Angel MTG Card
2012-06-01 - Number 19
2014-07-18 - Number 59
2016-11-25 - Number 19
2017-11-17 - Number 59
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Angel Illusion |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying Cast Illusory Angel only if you've cast another spell this turn.
"Yes, she is made of pure belief—but I hardly see why that makes her unique." —Reith, master illusionist
Cards like Illusory Angel
Illusory Angel emerges as an intriguing entry into the array of creatures that provide value for their casting cost in Magic: The Gathering. It finds peers in cards like Stormwing Entity, which similarly offers a substantial flying body for a reduced mana investment. However, Illusory Angel requires a player to have cast another spell before it can be summoned, a distinct trigger not found in Stormwing Entity.
Parallel considerations lead us to Pteramander, another flyer that benefits from being played in a spell-heavy deck. Pteramander eventually becomes a formidable force with its adaptability, even though it starts off small. It contrasts with Illusory Angel’s immediate impact as a sizeable airborne threat. There’s also Spell Queller, a card that meshes its flying capability with interaction by exiling an opponent’s spell upon entry. Contrasted with Illusory Angel, it offers board influence beyond being a mere creature.
Examining the landscape of similar MTG cards underscores Illusory Angel’s unique position. While contingent on a player’s prior actions, its immediate presence as a 4/4 flyer for three mana under the right conditions is an intriguing offer, combining cost-effectiveness with muscular aerial dominance.
Cards similar to Illusory Angel by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Illusory Angel. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Blue Prison | Legacy | 93 / The 93rd Legacy at Home |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Illusory Angel doesn’t inherently let you draw cards, playing this creature becomes advantageous when you have other cards that enable you to draw upon casting another spell. The Angel ensures you maintain board presence, which can lead to indirect card advantage by demanding answers from your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: Though Illusory Angel itself does not accelerate resources, its low casting cost for a sizeable creature body enables you to apply pressure while still having mana available. This creates opportunities to use your resources more efficiently elsewhere during your turn.
Instant Speed: Illusory Angel sets a unique tempo by allowing you to cast it only if you’ve cast another spell this turn, which promotes strategic play around instant-speed spells. Cast something at instant speed, then follow up with Illusory Angel for a powerful and unexpected one-two punch during a single turn window.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of Illusory Angel is the requirement to have played another spell before casting it within the same turn. This condition can be restrictive and may cause timing issues, especially if you are aiming for an optimal play sequence or struggling with resource availability.
Specific Mana Cost: Another limitation is its specific mana cost, demanding one blue and two generic mana. This cost means that the card is best suited for blue-focused or blue-inclusive decks, reducing its versatility in multicolored deck strategies that may not prioritize blue mana generation.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost for Illusory Angel is considered high for its stats and abilities. With a casting cost of three mana—which includes colored mana—players might find it challenging to accommodate the angel into a turn and still comply with the casting precondition, potentially leading to suboptimal pacing against decks that accelerate faster or require less setup.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Illusory Angel can seamlessly integrate into various blue-based decks. Its ability to offer a sizable flying creature for a low mana investment makes it adaptable for both aggressive and tempo-driven strategies.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, this card can be a critical component in powerful plays. Since it requires you to cast another spell before it comes into play, it complements strategies that rely on casting multiple spells in a single turn.
Meta-Relevance: If you’re facing an environment with decks that are light on blockers or removal, the Angel can be a persistent threat due to its evasion and cost-effective stat line. It’s especially potent in metas where air superiority can dictate the pace of the game.
How to beat
Illusory Angel presents a unique challenge on the battlefield, standing as an elusive creature with impressive stats for its casting cost. This card operates on a strict play condition, requiring you to cast another spell before it can be summoned. While it may seem daunting to neutralize, understanding its casting limitation is the key to countering it.
Instant removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can effectively eliminate Illusory Angel before its impact is felt. Additionally, keeping counter measures ready ensures that you can stop the spell that would precede the Angel’s arrival, disrupting your opponent’s game plan. Cards such as Negate or Essence Scatter are excellent choices for maintaining control.
Moreover, you can employ strategies that limit your opponent’s ability to cast multiple spells in one turn. This can involve mana denial or implementing effects that increase the cost of their spells. By doing so, you make it significantly harder for them to meet the Angel’s casting prerequisite. Strategies like this diminish the chances of Illusory Angel taking flight and make it manageable to keep your opponent’s side of the board clear.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Illusory Angel MTG card by a specific set like Planechase 2012 and Magic 2015, 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 Illusory 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 Illusory Angel Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-06-01 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by Allen Williams.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-06-01 | Planechase 2012 | PC2 | 19 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 59 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams | |
| 3 | 2016-11-25 | Planechase Anthology | PCA | 19 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams | |
| 4 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 59 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Illusory Angel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Illusory Angel card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-07-18 | It doesn’t matter whether the other spell resolved. It could have been countered or, if you’ve somehow cast Illusory Angel as though it had flash, it could still be on the stack. |