Seraph MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 51
1997-03-24 - Number 59
2007-09-10 - Number 26
| Card sets | Released in 3 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 end of a turn in which any creature is damaged by Seraph and put into the graveyard, put that creature directly into play under your control as though it were just summoned. If you lose control of Seraph or if Seraph leaves play, bury the creature.
Cards like Seraph
The allure of the Seraph card within Magic: The Gathering’s vast pantheon of creatures is undeniable. Examining its closest counterparts yields an enlightening comparison. Take Serra Angel for instance – another iconic card known for its vigilant nature. Both cards have the ability to avoid tapping when attacking, allowing for relentless offensive plays while maintaining a defensive stance. Yet, unlike Serra Angel, a Seraph often comes equipped with an extra ability that may give it a form of resilience upon death or an additional way to impact the board state.
Another relative to the Seraph is Baneslayer Angel. Baneslayer, with its sturdy stat line and life-linking abilities, provides a substantial advantage in life races. While it does lack the potential secondary effects after leaving the battlefield that some Seraphs have, it compensates with protection from demons and dragons, solidifying its niche as a powerful option in aerial combat.
Evaluating these cards side by side, it is evident that each has distinct advantages suited for different strategies within the game. Yet, what makes a Seraph card so captivating is its ability to leave a lasting impression on the match, whether through diligence in battle or through its enduring effects even after it falls.
Cards similar to Seraph by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of the primary strengths of a Seraph MTG card lies in its ability to possibly generate card advantage. Depending on its abilities, it can bring creatures back from the graveyard or create tokens, keeping your hand and battlefield full and increasing your options during gameplay.
Resource Acceleration: A Seraph card can contribute to resource acceleration by providing high-value creatures that impact the board immediately upon arrival. Their presence often leads to gaining tempo, allowing for swift and effective advancement of your board state, which can be decisive for the game’s outcome.
Instant Speed: Some Seraph cards offer abilities that can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to opponents’ actions adaptively. This capability to act outside of your own turn adds a layer of complexity and strategy, as you can make moves that disrupt your opponents’ plans while advancing your own.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Owning a Seraph card in your deck could sometimes feel like a burden rather than a boon when it carries a discard stipulation. To summon this celestial being to the battlefield, you may be forced to part with a valuable card from your hand, a trade-off that can leave you at a strategic disadvantage, particularly when your arsenal of cards is wearing thin.
Specific Mana Cost: Seraph cards often demand a precise combination of mana types to cast. This requirement can be a fatal flaw in a game where mana flexibility can make or break your strategy. Tailoring your mana base to accommodate such specific needs might handcuff your deck-building options and stifle creativity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The glory of summoning a Seraph often comes at a steep price. Their typically high mana cost means that by the time you have the resources to cast them, the tide of battle may have already turned. While they may promise a strong presence on the field, there are countless other creatures and spells that could offer you quicker, and sometimes greater, impact for less mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Seraph cards are known for their flexibility within a variety of decks. Their angelic attributes often allow them to be a stabilizing force in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: These celestial beings typically come with abilities that synergize well with other cards, potentially unlocking potent combinations that can turn the tide of a game.
Meta-Relevance: Given their powerful presence on the battlefield and ability to impact the game, Seraph cards maintain relevance in an ever-shifting meta, providing players with a solid choice against a diverse range of deck archetypes.
How to beat
Seraph cards have long been revered for their angelic might in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. These celestial beings often come with formidable stats and abilities that can turn the tides of combat. A typical Seraph card, with its combination of flying and vigilance, can present a considerable challenge for most decks to handle. Its resilience and consistent threat in the air make it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
To successfully counter a Seraph, players should consider utilizing removal spells that can bypass its protective abilities. Cards such as Murder or Doom Blade offer effective, direct solutions for dealing with troublesome angels. In addition, enchantments like Pacifism or Darksteel Mutation can neutralize a Seraph without having to destroy it, sidestepping any abilities it may have to come back from the graveyard or grant benefits when it dies.
Board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can also reset the playing field entirely, giving players a fresh start against a Seraph’s celestial onslaught. For those who prefer more strategic plays, employing counter spells as the Seraph is cast can prevent it from ever entering the battlefield and threatening your victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Seraph MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 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 Seraph Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 51 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 59 | 1997 | Normal | White | D. Alexander Gregory | |
| 3 | 2007-09-10 | Masters Edition | ME1 | 26 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Seraph has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Seraph card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You do not get the creature back if the creature is not still in the graveyard at the end of the turn. |
| 2007-09-16 | If Seraph isn’t on the battlefield at the time the other creature is put into a graveyard, the ability won’t trigger. However, the ability does trigger if Seraph and the other creature are put into the graveyard at the same time. |
| 2007-09-16 | If the other creature ceases to be a creature card after it leaves the battlefield (it’s an animated Mishra’s Factory, for example), it will be returned to the battlefield by this ability and you will have to sacrifice it when you lose control of Seraph. |
| 2007-09-16 | If the other creature is a token, it will cease to exist after being exiled. It won’t be returned to the battlefield. |
| 2007-09-16 | Once the ability triggers, you’ll return the card to the battlefield under your control at the end of the turn even if you no longer control Seraph at that time. In fact, if Seraph leaves the battlefield before the card is returned to the battlefield, you’ll never have to sacrifice it as a result of this ability. If Seraph remains on the battlefield but changes controllers before the card is returned, you’ll still get the returned card. However, in that scenario, you’ll still have to sacrifice it if you later regain control Seraph and then lose control of it once more. |