Restoration Angel MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 12 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 3
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Restoration Angel enables reusing beneficial ETB effects, akin to gaining an extra card.
  2. With flash, it provides surprise defense or offensive shifts at instant speed.
  3. White mana and higher cost present deck-building challenges but reward strategy.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.

Text of card

Flash Flying When Restoration Angel enters the battlefield, you may exile target non-Angel creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under your control.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Restoration Angel offers a unique take on card advantage by allowing you to reuse enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects of other creatures. When it enters the battlefield, you can blink another non-Angel creature, which can equate to drawing a card by repeating valuable ETB effects.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct mana ramp tool, Restoration Angel can be considered a form of resource acceleration. By re-triggering ETB effects that generate additional resources, such as creatures that produce mana or tokens, it indirectly contributes to your resource pool.

Instant Speed: The flash ability of Restoration Angel means you can deploy it at instant speed, which allows strategic flexibility. You can wait until the most opportune moment during your opponent’s turn to use it, which can save your creatures from removal, disrupt combats, or simply establish a powerful presence on the board unexpectedly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Unlike other flicker effects in the game, Restoration Angel doesn’t grant you any card advantage. While it can save one of your creatures from a sticky situation, it doesn’t replace itself in your hand, possibly leaving you with fewer options later on.

Specific Mana Cost: Restoration Angel’s casting cost requires white mana, which could limit deck flexibility. Decks that don’t support white mana or multi-color strategies might find it challenging to integrate this Angel into their arsenal.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In terms of cost efficiency, Restoration Angel’s four mana investment is quite high for its body and effect. When compared to other creatures with flicker abilities or protective features, some may offer similar functionalities at a lower mana cost, potentially making them more appealing in a tight mana curve setup.


Reasons to Include Restoration Angel in Your Collection

Versatility: Restoration Angel stands out with its intrinsic ability to adapt to various game scenarios. Its flash ability allows for surprise blocks or for saving a key creature from removal. Plus, the Angel fits seamlessly into decks that rely on creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with creatures that have potent enter-the-battlefield triggers. It can repeatedly re-trigger these effects, leading to powerful combinations that can swing the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment full of spot removal and control tactics, Restoration Angel provides resilience by protecting your board presence. Its evasion in the form of flying also makes it a consistent threat that’s hard to block, ensuring it remains a relevant choice in many metas.


How to beat

The Restoration Angel card is a noteworthy asset for players looking for flexibility and board impact in their game. This angel not only boasts flash, allowing for surprise plays, but also brings a powerful form of protection and utility with its ability to exile another target creature you control and then return that creature to the battlefield. This flickering ability can be used to dodge removal spells, reuse enter the battlefield effects, or simply save a creature from an unfavorable combat situation.

To effectively counteract this angelic intervention, players should consider strategies that don’t rely on targeting single creatures. Mass removal spells or abilities that affect the entire board, such as Wrath of God or Doomskar, sidestep the Restoration Angel’s protective power. Additionally, countering the angel with instant-speed spells before its ability resolves can shut down its impact before it starts. Employing cards with hexproof or using spells that can’t be countered adds an extra layer of defense against this celestial being. By staying one step ahead with these strategic considerations, you can mitigate the advantage brought by the Restoration Angel and maintain control of the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

As MTG players continually refine their decks, the inclusion of Restoration Angel can be a game-changer given its versatile abilities. From employing its flash capacity for surprise defense to cleverly reusing potent ETB triggers, this card offers a dynamic approach to gameplay. Not only does it complement many strategies, but it also maintains a presence in various metas due to its evasion and resilience against common removal tactics. Delving deeper into this card’s potentials and finding its synergies within your deck can elevate your matches. Unfold the full capacity of Restoration Angel in your collection and watch as your in-game strategies reach new heights. Discover more on how to optimize this celestial card to your advantage.


Cards like Restoration Angel

Restoration Angel is a unique card in Magic: The Gathering, operating as both a protective measure and a combo enabler. This card mirrors the abilities of other white creatures, like Flickerwisp, which also exiles and returns a target creature. However, Restoration Angel stands out with flash, allowing you to react in tight situations and utilize its effect during your opponent’s turn for strategic advantage.

Looking at other analogs, Cloudshift emerges as a lower-cost alternative, with the ability to exile and return a creature just as Restoration Angel does, albeit without the accompanying creature body. This trade-off emphasizes Cloudshift’s utility in decks that favor lower mana curves. There’s also Felidar Guardian, whose ability closely resembles that of Restoration Angel, but it doesn’t restrict its effect to non-Angel creatures and thus offers broader combo potential.

Overall, Restoration Angel holds a venerable position in the pantheon of white flicker effects, offering a blend of immediacy, versatility, and a respectable 3/4 flyer body that can influence the board state beyond just the flickering mechanic. These elements make this angel an enduring favorite among players.

Flickerwisp - MTG Card versions
Cloudshift - MTG Card versions
Felidar Guardian - MTG Card versions
Flickerwisp - Eventide (EVE)
Cloudshift - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Felidar Guardian - Aether Revolt (AER)

Cards similar to Restoration Angel by color, type and mana cost

Northern Paladin - MTG Card versions
Moorish Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Witch Hunter - MTG Card versions
Carrier Pigeons - MTG Card versions
Tormented Angel - MTG Card versions
Seasoned Marshal - MTG Card versions
Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions
Akroma's Devoted - MTG Card versions
Leonin Abunas - MTG Card versions
Aven Cloudchaser - MTG Card versions
Blinking Spirit - MTG Card versions
Seht's Tiger - MTG Card versions
Valor - MTG Card versions
Guardian Seraph - MTG Card versions
Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Guard - MTG Card versions
Galepowder Mage - MTG Card versions
Northern Paladin - Revised Edition (3ED)
Moorish Cavalry - Arabian Nights (ARN)
Witch Hunter - Chronicles (CHR)
Carrier Pigeons - Alliances (ALL)
Tormented Angel - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Seasoned Marshal - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Coalition Honor Guard - Apocalypse (APC)
Mangara, the Diplomat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Akroma's Devoted - Legions (LGN)
Leonin Abunas - Mirrodin (MRD)
Aven Cloudchaser - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Blinking Spirit - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Seht's Tiger - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Valor - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Guardian Seraph - Magic 2010 (M10)
Lightkeeper of Emeria - Worldwake (WWK)
Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Hero of Bladehold - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
Mausoleum Guard - Innistrad (ISD)
Galepowder Mage - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Restoration Angel MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Avacyn Restored, 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 Restoration Angel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Restoration Angel Magic the Gathering card was released in 11 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 443172003normalblackWesley Burt
22012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 322003normalblackJohannes Voss
32017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 202015normalblackJohannes Voss
42017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 282015normalblackWesley Burt
52019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 13802015normalborderlessFang Xinyu
62021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 312015normalblackJake Murray
72021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3001997normalblackWesley Burt
82021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 1172015normalblackJake Murray
92022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 4212015normalblackJake Murray
102022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 252015normalblackJake Murray
112022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 2332015normalblackJake Murray
122023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2012015normalblackJake Murray

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Restoration Angel has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-03-19 If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won't return to the battlefield.
2021-03-19 Once the exiled creature returns, it's considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras attached to the exiled creature will be put into their owners' graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled creature will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled creature will cease to exist.
2021-03-19 When an effect returns the exiled card “under your control,” you control it indefinitely after that. If you had temporarily gained control of a creature, it won't return to its previous controller. In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. If you leave the game, a creature you took with Restoration Angel's effect is exiled.

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