Valkyrie Harbinger MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Angel Cleric
Abilities Flying,Lifelink
Power 4
Toughness 5

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates a 4/4 white Angel token with flying, boosting your aerial might each upkeep with sufficient life gain.
  2. Can synergize with other cards for resource acceleration, indirectly affecting mana development.
  3. Its presence forces opponents to consider the ongoing threat of instant speed-like effects on the board.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Flying, lifelink At the beginning of each end step, if you gained 4 or more life this turn, create a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying and vigilance.

Where she flies, the Light of Starnheim shines.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Upon entering the battlefield or at the beginning of each upkeep with ten or more life than your starting total, Valkyrie Harbinger lets you summon a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying. This consistent add-on to your aerial forces not only pressures opponents but also steadily increases your dominance through card advantage without further depleting your library.

Resource Acceleration: While Valkyrie Harbinger itself does not directly ramp up your mana resources, the presence of additional Angel creatures can synergize with other cards in your deck that are triggered by creature spawns or specifically Angels, potentially unlocking new mana sources or accelerating your resource development indirectly.

Instant Speed: Although Valkyrie Harbinger operates at sorcery speed, it influences the battlefield in such a way that it can make your opponent think twice before engaging in combat or casting spells. The looming threat of generating an Angel every turn can shift the pace of the game, forcing opponents to act as if under the constant threat of your instant speed interactions, even though the Valkyrie itself is proactive.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Valkyrie Harbinger doesn’t require discarding as an additional cost, but its need for build-up through lifegain may inadvertently push players to choose between retaining a healthy hand size or setting up conditions for its casting.

Specific Mana Cost: Its demanding blend of one white, one black, and four other mana can prove challenging to meet, particularly at moments when optimally color-balanced mana isn’t available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With six mana to get Valkyrie Harbinger onto the battlefield, players might find themselves alcove of turns where deploying swifter, lower-cost alternatives could present an edge against opponents.


Reasons to Include Valkyrie Harbinger in Your Collection

Versatility: Valkyrie Harbinger boasts an adaptable role in decks, serving as both a robust beater in the skies and a recurring source of life gain. This dual functionality makes it a sound addition to diverse archetypes, from life-gain focused builds to midrange fliers.

Combo Potential: With its ability to provide a consistent stream of Angel creature tokens every turn, it creates numerous synergies with strategies that capitalize on token generation or benefit from the presence of multiple fliers.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where stabilizing against aggressive strategies is critical, Valkyrie Harbinger shines by providing a considerable body that impacts the board and offers a life buffer every upkeep. Its presence can significantly alter the pace of the game, making it a timely pick for your collection.


How to beat

Valkyrie Harbinger brings a distinctive presence to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. The card, known for its hefty lifegain and ability to summon a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying at the end of each turn, can quickly tilt the game in favor of the player wielding it. However, triumphing over this formidable card is not out of reach.

Interaction is key. Employ removal spells that can directly target and dispose of Valkyrie Harbinger before its benefits accumulate. Cards that negate abilities or spells, such as counterspells, can prevent this powerhouse from landing on the table in the first place. Furthermore, playing aggressive decks that can outpace the turns needed to summon a 4/4 Angel can apply pressure, potentially diverting your opponent’s resources and focus away from their game plan involving Valkyrie Harbinger.

Adapting your strategy to include enchantment removal like Disenchant will dispel any Angels created by Valkyrie Harbinger, reducing the impact of its end-turn ability. Also, consider incorporating more card draw to ensure your hand is well-equipped to handle whatever threats arise. In essence, preemptive action and strategic foresight are paramount to secure victory against a card with such a strong value proposition.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re looking to enhance your MTG experience, Valkyrie Harbinger deserves attention. Its ability to sustain your life total while presenting a constant aerial threat makes it a noteworthy choice for any enthusiast of strategic gameplay. By incorporating this card into your deck, you unlock new pathways to victory through token generation and lifegain synergies. Whether you savor slow-build dominance or aim to outwit aggressive opponents, understanding the ins and outs of such cards is crucial. For a deeper dive into optimization strategies and deck-building insights, join the BurnMana community. Together, let’s forge a path to supremacy in the world of MTG.


Cards like Valkyrie Harbinger

The Valkyrie Harbinger is a unique presence in MTG, offering both an aerial threat and a means to gain life. Akin to Angel of Destiny, it too is an Angel that rewards you for gaining life, but Valkyrie Harbinger also lets you put additional Angel creature tokens onto the battlefield at the end of your turn if you gained life. In contrast, Angel of Destiny has a direct win condition tied to its life gain ability.

Another comparable card is Righteous Valkyrie, which gives you a life for each other Angel or Cleric you control. Although similar, what sets Valkyrie Harbinger apart is its late-game potential, allowing for an army of Angels as your life total continues to climb. Meanwhile, Righteous Valkyrie offers more of an immediate stat boost to creatures you already control, benefiting from a crowded board state to soar towards victory.

Through the lens of MTG gameplay, Valkyrie Harbinger stands out amongst its peers for its capacity to turn the tide in the late game, making it a valuable card for players who favor a strategy that looks to control the pace and then dominate the board with powerful flying creatures.

Angel of Destiny - MTG Card versions
Righteous Valkyrie - MTG Card versions
Angel of Destiny - MTG Card versions
Righteous Valkyrie - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Valkyrie Harbinger MTG card by a specific set like Resale Promos and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Valkyrie Harbinger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Valkyrie Harbinger Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-01-01 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Tran Nguyen.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12007-01-01Resale PromosPRES 3742015NormalBlackTran Nguyen
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 13472015NormalBlackTran Nguyen
32021-02-05KaldheimKHM 3742015NormalBlackTran Nguyen
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2612015NormalBlackTran Nguyen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Valkyrie Harbinger has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Valkyrie Harbinger card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-02-05 If you haven’t gained 4 life by the time an end step begins, Valkyrie Harbinger’s ability won’t trigger at all.
2021-02-05 Valkyrie Harbinger’s ability looks at how much life you’ve gained in the turn, even if it wasn’t on the battlefield when you gained life. It doesn’t care if you also lost life, even if you lost more life than you gained.
2021-02-05 You create just one Angel token, no matter how much life you’ve gained past 4 life.

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