Luminous Angel MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 15
2005-08-22 - Number G25
2009-04-10 - Number 12
2014-12-05 - Number 12
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Angel |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Flying At the beginning of your upkeep, you may put a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying into play.
Cards like Luminous Angel
Luminous Angel stands out in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering due to its unique angelic attributes. In comparison, other creature cards like Serra Angel have long been a staple, offering both vigilance and flying, yet they lack the angel-making ability of Luminous Angel. While the Luminous Angel provides a steady stream of Angel tokens, Serra Angel focuses on a more straightforward combat approach.
Exploring beyond, we discover Twilight Shepherd, another divine being sharing the sky with our Luminous Angel. Twilight Shepherd brings a different twist to the battlefield – when it dies, it can resurrect numerous fallen creatures, giving it a grander scale of board impact than what Luminous Angel can offer with her token generation.
Also, the similar-themed Sigil of the Empty Throne has a permanent-based token strategy, rewarding you with Angel tokens not through its own presence but through the casting of enchantments. This approach allows for a potentially more controlled and synergistic way to generate tokens compared to the Luminous Angel’s automatic ability.
These comparisons highlight Luminous Angel as a uniquely positioned MTG card among Angel creatures, favored for its autonomous token creation ability that enhances board presence over time.
Cards similar to Luminous Angel by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Luminous Angel provides the potential to amass a sizable army with its ability to create a 1/1 white Spirit creature token with flying during each of your upkeeps. This can quickly add up to a significant advantage on the board, overwhelming opponents with a resource they must address lest they succumb to a swarming strategy.
Resource Acceleration: While the Luminous Angel itself doesn’t directly accelerate your mana resources, the tokens it produces can be invaluable when coupled with other cards that capitalize on creature count or sacrifice mechanics, effectively converting your growing army into versatile resources for a variety of strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Although the angel itself does not operate at instant speed, the advantage it offers lies in the synergy with instant speed spells and abilities. The tokens can provide instant defense after surviving an opponent’s turn, or they can be utilized alongside tricks and buffs you may cast at instant speed, catching adversaries off guard and allowing for strategic depth within your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Luminous Angel demands a noteworthy payload to realize its full potential. Upon entering the battlefield without any accompanying mechanics to mitigate the cost, players must often forfeit a valuable card from their hand to keep the Angel aloft, which can deplete an already strained hand size especially during the late game when resources are crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Tailored to fit within the pearly gates of mono-white or heavily white-inclined decks, Luminous Angel’s mana cost is restrictive. The triple white mana requirement anchors it firmly within a narrow band of deck architectures, potentially stifling deck diversity and hindering multi-color deck inclusion.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Flapping its wings at a steep seven total mana, this Angel arrives at a point where the celestial scales may have already tipped. With various other options on the table that offer immediate board impact or more cost-efficient creature development strategies, Luminous Angel’s heftiness can overshadow its luminosity in fast-paced games where tempo is king.
Reasons to Include Luminous Angel in Your Collection
Versatility: Luminous Angel offers a dynamic presence in any deck that revolves around creature tokens. With its ability to create an Angel token at the beginning of each upkeep, it works well in strategies that focus on overwhelming opponents with a multitude of creatures or that capitalize on synergies with flying creatures.
Combo Potential: This angelic card has immense potential in combination with cards that leverage creature tokens for powerful effects or additional value. Whether used for convoke, sacrificing for greater benefits, or amplifying token-generating spells and abilities, Luminous Angel can be the cornerstone of intricate and potent combos.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where token strategies are prevalent, Luminous Angel can be a significant threat. The consistent production of Angel tokens can provide both defensive and offensive advantages, ensuring relevance in various metagames that appreciate board presence and the versatility that tokens offer.
How to beat Luminous Angel
Luminous Angel poses an interesting challenge on the battlefield with its ability to generate 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens. To navigate this formidable card, players should consider removal spells that can handle multiple creatures at once. Spells like Wrath of God or Doomskar can efficiently clear the board of the angel and its tokens, bypassing the need to deal with each spirit individually. The key is to address the angel swiftly before the token advantage becomes overwhelming.
Another strategy involves utilizing cards that penalize or inhibit creature creation. Illness in the Ranks, for instance, would make the tokens generated by Luminous Angel enter the battlefield with less potency, making them less of a threat. You can also turn to instant-speed removals like Path to Exile to remove Luminous Angel from play before the token generation can impact the game state significantly. In essence, focusing on direct and mass removal or creatures’ strength reduction can tilt the match in your favor against the angelic onslaught.
Ultimately, the approach to defeating Luminous Angel revolves around preemptive measures and control of the board. By understanding the mechanics behind this card and preparing your deck with appropriate answers, your chances of negating the angel’s influence and claiming victory increase notably.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Luminous Angel MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Salvat 2005, 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 Luminous 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Luminous Angel Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 15 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matthew D. Wilson | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | G25 | 2003 | Normal | White | Matthew D. Wilson | |
| 3 | 2009-04-10 | Duel Decks: Divine vs. Demonic | DDC | 12 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan | |
| 4 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic | DVD | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Chan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Luminous Angel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |