Linvala, the Preserver MTG Card
2016-01-22 - Number 25
2016-01-22 - Number 25s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Flying When Linvala, the Preserver enters the battlefield, if an opponent has more life than you, you gain 5 life. When Linvala enters the battlefield, if an opponent controls more creatures than you, put a 3/3 white Angel creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
Cards like Linvala, the Preserver
In the realm of high-impact creatures within Magic: The Gathering, Linvala, the Preserver makes a notable entrance. She shares a kinship with cards like Archangel Avacyn for offering both a substantial body and an immediate board presence on cast. Archangel Avacyn, also a creature with a transformative ability, provides an indestructible status to your other creatures, though it doesn’t offer the same life gain or token creation.
Angel of Serenity is another peer in this celestial lineup. While it doesn’t bring direct life gain, it offers temporary removal for troublesome creatures, competing with Linvala’s ability to stabilize the board with her 5/5 frame and create a protective buffer for the player. Conversely, Angel of Serenity’s ability to interact with the graveyard gives it a unique edge in certain strategies. Moreover, the Serenity’s wider reach in terms of affecting the battlefield can be more influential in some game situations compared to Linvala’s focused perks.
Assessing these angelic guardians, Linvala, the Preserver holds a firm position in MTG, offering a versatile answer to various threats. Her ability to instantly turn the tide by adding to your life total and creating an ally caters to both defensive and offensive plays, asserting her value in the angel hierarchy.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Linvala, the Preserver. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Reanimator | Legacy | MO82#CS |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Linvala, the Preserver shines in providing immediate value upon entering the battlefield. She not only adds a powerful creature to your side but her ability to create a 3/3 Flying Angel token if an opponent has more creatures ensures that you are not falling behind on the board. This advantage can swing the momentum of the game in your favor, helping you outpace your opponent’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: Although Linvala herself does not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, her presence can indirectly influence the game’s pace. By securing the board with her formidable stats and potentially bringing another creature into play, she allows you to invest mana into further developing your board or saving it for protection spells, thus accelerating your route to victory.
Instant Speed: Linvala’s abilities are triggered upon entering the battlefield and do not operate at instant speed. However, the immediate impact she has when played can mirror the tactical flexibility of instant speed spells. Her ability to catch you up when behind creates a dynamic akin to casting a timely spell during a critical phase of the game, providing a substantial and instantaneous shift that can deter an opponent’s aggression or turn the tide in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Linvala, the Preserver does not have a discard requirement, players need to be aware of the high mana cost and specific color requirements that might make playing this card less flexible in certain deck builds.
Specific Mana Cost: Linvala, the Preserver requires a specific mana combination to cast—two white and four other mana. This makes it particularly challenging for multi-color decks to accommodate without a reliable mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Linvala, the Preserver’s abilities might not be as impactful in the fast-paced game environment where lower-cost creatures and spells can dominate early gameplay, potentially putting players at a disadvantage before they can cast her.
Reasons to Include Linvala, the Preserver in Your Collection
Versatility: Linvala, the Preserver showcases her adaptability by offering both a formidable flying presence and a lifesaving ability on the battlefield. This allows players to tailor their strategy to either offensive or defensive stances as needed.
Combo Potential: Linvala’s ability to create an Angel token and gain life can synergize with decks that capitalize on creature or life-gain synergies, unlocking new avenues for combo setups.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that often sees aggressive decks aiming to reduce life totals quickly, Linvala can be the key card for stabilizing the board, making her a relevant choice against an array of popular deck archetypes.
How to beat
Linvala, the Preserver is recognized for her dual utility as both a flying threat and a safety net in MTG matches. To effectively counter this angelic powerhouse, savvy players often employ removal spells or abilities that specifically target creatures regardless of their toughness. Black spells like Doom Blade or Go for the Throat are excellent choices for quick and decisive removal, bypassing Linvala’s protective perks.
Alternatively, bypassing her altogether with strategies that focus on non-creature win conditions can be highly effective. This may involve direct damage spells, mill strategies, or enchantments like Sphinx’s Tutelage, which can win the game without having to engage one on one with sturdy creatures like Linvala. Additionally, cards that limit an opponent’s ability to gain life, such as Erebos, God of the Dead, ensure that the balance Linvala attempts to reset with her entrance is minimized, providing a pathway to victory unobstructed by her preserving influence.
Fostering a game state where Linvala’s abilities are less impactful is also a key tactic. By keeping creature counts low on your side, or controlling the game through potent board wipes like Damnation, the advantage she offers upon entry is negated, making her a costly investment for minimal gain.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Linvala, the Preserver MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch and Oath of the Gatewatch 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 Linvala, the Preserver 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 Linvala, the Preserver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2016-01-22. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch | OGW | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve | |
| 2 | 2016-01-22 | Oath of the Gatewatch Promos | POGW | 25s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Magali Villeneuve |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Linvala, the Preserver has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Linvala, the Preserver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-01-22 | For each triggered ability, the game checks to see if the condition is true at the moment the ability would trigger. If the condition isn’t true, the ability won’t trigger. If the ability does trigger, the game will check again to see if the condition is true as the ability tries to resolve. If it’s not true at that time, the ability won’t do anything. |
| 2016-01-22 | In a multiplayer game, it’s possible for the condition to be true at both times but with respect to two different opponents. |