Serra Avenger MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Flying, Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Playable only after the fourth turn, Serra Avenger tests your strategic patience and timing.
  2. Its rigid casting cost favors mono-white or dual-colored decks for optimal synergy.
  3. Despite limitations, its powerful abilities shine in white-orientated aggro and control builds.
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

You can't play Serra Avenger during your first, second, or third turns of the game. Flying, vigilance

"Those who endure in the face of suffering, those whose faith shines long in evil days, they shall see salvation." —*Song of All*, canto 904


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Serra Avenger doesn’t inherently draw cards, but its ability to emerge as a powerful threat with just two mana can pressure your opponents to expend more resources than you, potentially leading to card advantage in the long game.

Resource Acceleration: While Serra Avenger doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense, its low casting cost for a potent creature can give you an edge. This allows you to deploy other spells sooner than expected, indirectly contributing to resource acceleration by preserving your mana.

Instant Speed: Although Serra Avenger does not operate at instant speed, its mere presence in your deck alters the pace of play, causing opponents to second guess whether to commit resources if they know you could play a substantial threat early on.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Serra Avenger has a unique play restriction that can delay its deployment, as it cannot be cast until after your fourth turn, potentially rendering it a dead card in your hand during the crucial early game stage.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Serra Avenger is two white mana symbols. This specific requirement means that it’s best suited for mono-white or two-color decks and can be challenging to cast on curve in more color-diverse decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its casting cost is reasonably low at two white mana, the turn-based restriction effectively increases its cost. This means that while other cards could be advancing your board presence, Serra Avenger may sit in your hand, waiting for its time to shine.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Serra Avenger is a flexible addition to white decks, providing an early aggressive creature that can also act as a robust defense against airborne threats. Its low mana cost allows for quick deployment once the fourth turn condition is met, seamlessly integrating into various strategies from control to aggro builds.

Combo Potential: With its ability to come into play quickly, Serra Avenger can be an integral piece for synergies involving angels or cards that leverage vigilance. She pairs well with equipment and auras, as her vigilance and flying make her a persistent threat that’s tough to remove.

Meta-Relevance: Given her stature as a well-rounded creature, Serra Avenger holds her ground in metagames that favor tempo. Her presence can apply pressure in scenarios where board control is pivotal, and as flying creatures are always in vogue, she’s perpetually useful against decks that are light on aerial defense.


How to beat

Serra Avenger is a card that can pose an early challenge due to its powerful stat line and cost-efficient mana investment. Its ability to only be cast after the fourth turn you control is an Achilles heel that can be exploited. To counteract Serra Avenger’s impact, consider removal spells that can bypass its restrictions, such as “Path to Exile” or “Fatal Push” after triggering its revolt condition. Board wipes are also efficient, clearing the Avenger alongside other threats.

Timing is essential when confronting a Serra Avenger. Utilizing instant-speed interaction during your opponent’s turn ensures that you can manage the board before the Avenger can make a significant impact in combat. Keeping mana open and being reactive allows you to maintain control and mitigate Serra Avenger’s potential value on the battlefield.

Denying Serra Avenger from attacking or blocking with effects like “Pacifism” or “Claustrophobia” can prove to be effective as well. These strategies render the Avenger harmless, preserving your life total while setting up your game plan. Overall, the key to overcoming the Serra Avenger card is through prompt removal, strategic control, and disruption tactics.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Serra Avenger in MTG involves a fine balance of timing and strategy. Its conditional play can be both a handcuff and a secret weapon, setting the stage for a potent mid-game. As a card with strong aerial presence and vigilance, it deserves a rightful place in decks that capitalize on board control and tempo. For those looking to add a layer of sophistication to their gameplay, Serra Avenger is a must-consider. Ready to weave this card into your powerful white deck or discover more nuanced interactions? Dive deeper with us to refine your strategy and optimize your deck’s performance.


Cards like Serra Avenger

Serra Avenger, a compelling creature in Magic: The Gathering, can easily invoke comparisons with other two-mana white creatures. It shares its space with the illustrious Squadron Hawk, famous for its ability to fetch other copies of itself, thereby fortifying a player’s hand. Yet, Serra Avenger is distinct in its conditional play, only able to be cast after your fourth turn, a notable setback when evaluating early game strategy.

On the same mana curve, we see Thalia, Guardian of Thraben exerting influence. This creature taxes noncreature spells, giving it a defensive edge over Serra Avenger. Moreover, Thalia can enter the battlefield from the game’s start, which can swing the game’s tempo in favor of the early player. Another card worth mentioning is Stoneforge Mystic, which, while not as combat-capable, fetches powerful equipment cards that can turn the tides in later stages of the match.

The strategic depth of Serra Avenger lies in its delayed gratification gameplay. It can be a strong play in the mid to late game, as its vigilant attack and defense capabilities allow for both offense and continued defense, a duality not shared by Squadron Hawk or Thalia. In the realm of white creatures at two mana, Serra Avenger thus offers a unique blend of power and tempo that can shape mid-game outcomes.

Squadron Hawk - MTG Card versions
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Squadron Hawk - Magic 2011 (M11)
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben - Dark Ascension (DKA)
Stoneforge Mystic - Grand Prix Promos (PGPX)

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Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
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Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cloudreach Cavalry - Legions (LGN)
Samite Healer - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Kor Firewalker - DCI Promos (PDCI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Serra Avenger MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Time Spiral, 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 Serra Avenger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Serra Avenger Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-10-06 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 363142003normalblackScott M. Fischer
22006-10-06Time SpiralTSP 402003normalblackScott M. Fischer
32010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 B92003normalblackScott M. Fischer
42012-07-13Magic 2013M13 332003normalblackScott M. Fischer
52021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 412015normalblackScott M. Fischer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Serra Avenger has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2006-09-25 You can cast Serra Avenger during another player’s first, second, or third turns of the game if some other effect (such as Vedalken Orrery) enables that.
2012-07-01 If the game is restarted (by Karn Liberated), you can’t cast Serra Avenger in your first, second, or third turn in the new game.
2012-07-01 Serra Avenger cares about how many turns you have taken, not necessarily how many turns the game has had, in case you take an extra turn.

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