Seraph of the Scales MTG Card


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

Key Takeaways

  1. Afterlife ability grants board persistence, creating two 1/1 flying Spirit tokens upon the card’s death.
  2. Activated abilities for deathtouch and vigilance provide in-game versatility, enhancing offensive and defensive strategies.
  3. Mana requirements and high casting cost may limit the card’s inclusion in diverse deck architectures.
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 : Seraph of the Scales gains vigilance until end of turn. : Seraph of the Scales gains deathtouch until end of turn. Afterlife 2 (When this creature dies, create two 1/1 white and black Spirit creature tokens with flying.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Seraph of the Scales provides value by leaving behind two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying after it dies, helping you to retain presence on the board. This afterlife ability ensures that even in defeat, the card continues to contribute to your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana acceleration, Seraph of the Scales can be a pivot for strategies that profit from the death of creatures. Its ability to create tokens can synergize with other cards to enhance your resource pool.

Instant Speed: Seraph of the Scales features an activated ability that grants it deathtouch or vigilance until end of turn. This instant speed versatility allows you to adapt defensively or offensively, making it more difficult for opponents to plan around.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For players looking to optimize their plays, Seraph of the Scales can occasionally be dead weight in hand. While she doesn’t explicitly mandate a discard, her Afterlife ability often pushes players towards wanting to utilize her death for value, which could conflict with preserving a robust hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Deck builders be advised; Seraph of the Scales asks for a precise mana combination. Requiring both white and black mana can sometimes be a hurdle for decks that aren’t firmly rooted in Orzhov colors. This limitation may sway some players to consider more flexible alternatives.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In a game where efficiency is king, the mana investment for this angelic being is non-negligible. With a casting cost of two colorless, one white, and one black mana, certain situations call for a more economical alternative that could provide similar board presence or utility without the lofty mana commitment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Seraph of the Scales offers flexible gameplay as it can fit snugly into Orzhov (white-black) deck strategies or be the linchpin in any deck that appreciates a sturdy flying creature. With Afterlife and its activated abilities, it adds value on various game axes.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with decks that capitalize on creature death and token generation. The Afterlife ability provides spirit tokens that can be utilized for various purposes, from defense to empowering sacrifice mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: Given its balanced cost and ability to influence the board in mid-game phases, Seraph of the Scales remains a robust choice in environments where resilient creatures with evasion are key to outmaneuvering opponents in both aggressive and control matchups.


How to beat

Seraph of the Scales is a notable creature card that finds its strength in flexibility and resilience on the battlefield. It is a multifaceted card that can pose a serious threat with its capacity for vigilance or deathtouch, in addition to its afterlife ability, which leaves behind valuable tokens upon its demise. However, overcoming this celestial adversary is not an insurmountable task. Key to defeating Seraph of the Scales lies in timing and strategic selection of removal spells.

Priority should be given to using removal spells that can neutralize Seraph of the Scales before its controller can take advantage of its versatility. Targeted exile effects are particularly potent here, bypassing the afterlife ability completely. Cards such as Path to Exile or the less pricey Final Payment serve this role efficiently. Should those options be unavailable, a well-timed counterspell like Absorb also disrupts the opponent’s plans by preventing the Seraph from entering play altogether.

It’s crucial to manage resources and removal carefully, recognizing when to take action against Seraph of the Scales. By controlling when it enters and leaves the field, players can effectively mitigate the advantages it provides, maintaining the upper hand in their strategic confrontations.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping up, Seraph of the Scales stands as a unique cornerstone in a discerning MTG player’s collection. With its strategic depth, including on-demand deathtouch or vigilance and its afterlife tokens, the card exemplifies resilience and adaptability on the battlefield. If you are weaving together the tapestry of an Orzhov deck or looking for cards that have a profound impact even after leaving the field, consider integrating Seraph of the Scales into your repertoire. For those aiming to optimize their strategies and broaden their deck-building horizon, we extend an invitation to dive deeper into the diverse world of MTG. Discover more enriching content and insights to sharpen your gameplay with us.


Cards like Seraph of the Scales

Seraph of the Scales is a versatile creature that offers more than just power and toughness in the MTG universe. It bears a striking resemblance to other multicolored angels like Lyra Dawnbringer with both providing a sense of dominance on the battlefield. Yet, Seraph of the Scales has a unique edge with its afterlife ability, granting you two Spirit creature tokens with flying upon death, a feature Lyra lacks.

Analogous to the Seraph is the Resplendent Angel. While inferior in initial size and offering no tokens on demise, Resplendent Angel has the potential to create a 4/4 Angel creature with flying and vigilance each turn if life was gained. This introduces a dynamic layer of strategy not present in the one-time afterlife benefit of Seraph of the Scales.

Angelic Exaltation is another card that operates differently but with a nod to the same theme of using angels commanding the skies. Unlike Seraph of the Scales that relies on inherent abilities, Angelic Exaltation boosts a single creature’s power based on the number of creatures you control, setting the stage for one massive angelic entity.

Through this comparative lens, Seraph of the Scales stands out with its balance of immediate board presence and a lasting impact even after it leaves play. It’s a robust choice within its category, offering MTG players resilience in their angelic arsenals.

Lyra Dawnbringer - MTG Card versions
Resplendent Angel - MTG Card versions
Angelic Exaltation - MTG Card versions
Lyra Dawnbringer - MTG Card versions
Resplendent Angel - MTG Card versions
Angelic Exaltation - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Seraph of the Scales by color, type and mana cost

Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - MTG Card versions
Orah, Skyclave Hierophant - MTG Card versions
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Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - MTG Card versions
Orah, Skyclave Hierophant - MTG Card versions
Felisa, Fang of Silverquill - MTG Card versions
Ghost Council of Orzhova - MTG Card versions
Voracious Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Alms Beast - MTG Card versions
Triad of Fates - MTG Card versions
Unyielding Krumar - MTG Card versions
Restoration Gearsmith - MTG Card versions
Aryel, Knight of Windgrace - MTG Card versions
Teysa Karlov - MTG Card versions
Basilica Bell-Haunt - MTG Card versions
Resolute Rider - MTG Card versions
Elenda, the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions
Spiteful Squad - MTG Card versions
Barrowin of Clan Undurr - MTG Card versions
Edgar, Charmed Groom // Edgar Markov's Coffin - MTG Card versions
Minthara, Merciless Soul - MTG Card versions
Rasaad, Shadow Monk - MTG Card versions
Ratadrabik of Urborg - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Seraph of the Scales MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance Promos and Ravnica Allegiance 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 Seraph of the Scales and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Seraph of the Scales Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Magali Villeneuve.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-01-25Ravnica Allegiance PromosPRNA 205s2015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
22019-01-25Ravnica Allegiance PromosPRNA 205p2015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
32019-01-25Ravnica AllegianceRNA 2052015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
42024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 2082015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Seraph of the Scales has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-01-25 Because blockers are chosen all at once, you can’t block with a creature with afterlife, wait for it to die, then block with the resulting Spirit tokens.
2019-01-25 Gaining vigilance any time after the moment you choose to attack with a creature won’t cause it to become untapped.

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