Wayward Angel MTG Card


Wayward Angel - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Angel Horror
Abilities Flying,Threshold, Vigilance
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Power 4
Toughness 4
Number57
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMark Tedin

Key Takeaways

  1. Wayward Angel excels in card advantage and strategic battlefield options.
  2. Instant speed response with transformation adds pressure on opponents.
  3. Demands careful mana management and hand size consideration.
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 Attacking doesn't cause Wayward Angel to tap. Threshold Wayward Angel gets +3/+3, is black, has trample, and has "At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice a creature." (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Wayward Angel card shines when it comes to increasing your options on the battlefield. Transforming into a Horror Angel with a different set of abilities, it also gives you the edge in terms of drawing additional resources that can tip the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: As the Wayward Angel evolves, its ability to accumulate resources can be a game-changer. With its transformed state, it has the potential to quickly escalate the pressure on your opponent by amplifying your resource pool.

Instant Speed: The versatility of the Wayward Angel is further demonstrated by its power to function at instant speed under certain conditions. This responsiveness enables strategic depth, allowing you to react promptly to the changing game state while keeping your adversaries on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wayward Angel’s ability activation requires discarding a card, posing a challenge when hand size is critical for maintaining strategic advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types in its cost, potentially complicating its inclusion in multi-color decks or those with a stringent mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of six mana to summon Wayward Angel is significant, and in many situations, players could field alternative creatures or effects that have a more immediate impact on the game for the same or lower cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wayward Angel offers flexibility in various deck builds, thriving in strategies that capitalize on graveyard mechanics and creature transformation. Its ability to switch between a vigilant defender and a powerful attacker makes it adaptable to changing game states.

Combo Potential: This card has the capability to synergize with graveyard-filling strategies, maximizing the impact of its transformation into a demon with flying and trample. This opens up potential for interesting interactions with other cards that manipulate or benefit from graveyard contents.

Meta-Relevance: Given that many decks in the current meta-game utilize the graveyard, Wayward Angel can be a tactical inclusion. Its transformative nature keeps opponents guessing and forces them to address it or face consequences, making it a relevant choice for competitive play.


How to beat Wayward Angel

Wayward Angel is a formidable force in MTG, known for its transformative ability. Positioned as a creature that can put pressure on opponents early, it flips into a relentless powerhouse when the condition of having seven or more cards in your graveyard is met. Containing this creature before it transitions is key.

One effective tactic is to utilize graveyard removal strategies. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prevent accumulation in the graveyard, stunting the Angel’s transformation. Additionally, countering the Angel with spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak before it hits the field can save you from future headaches. For those moments when the creature is already on the table, a timely Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can shift the tide back into your favor by dealing with it directly. Ensuring your removal spells are diverse in dealing with both creatures and graveyards will give you the upper edge against a Wayward Angel.

Ultimately, knowing when to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is as crucial as having the right countermeasures. By monitoring your opponent’s graveyard and keeping your answers ready, the Wayward Angel will find it challenging to gain the upper hand.


Cards like Wayward Angel

Wayward Angel stands out in the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering angels with its transformative ability. Reflecting on similar cards, we see parallels with Exquisite Archangel, which provides a lifesaving effect upon your life total reaching 0. Though Wayward Angel doesn’t grant this second chance, it morphs into a potent, offensive force under the right conditions, rewarding players for managing their graveyard effectively.

Another comparable card is Desecration Angel. This card shares the angelic theme but carries an alternate cost — sacrificing creatures upon entering the battlefield, which can be a steep price. Wayward Angel, while also having a high mana cost, only requires a certain graveyard condition to unlock its maximum potential, bypassing the immediate disadvantage of creature sacrifice.

Personalizing the angelic strategy to one’s play style is crucial. While Exquisite Archangel offers protection and Desecration Angel potentially clears the board, Wayward Angel uniquely caters to graveyard-centric decks that seek to benefit from the duality of its transformation.

Exquisite Archangel - MTG Card versions
Exquisite Archangel - Aether Revolt Promos (PAER)

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Silverstorm Samurai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
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Crovax, Ascendant Hero - Planar Chaos (PLC)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wayward Angel MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Wayward Angel and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wayward Angel has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 When you have seven or more cards in your graveyard, this card is black. It is not white and black.

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