The Book of Exalted Deeds MTG Card


Turns lifegain into an indestructible Angel, reinforcing your defense and board control. Empowers mono-white decks with its unique emblem, creating enduring advantage. Challenges opponents with a resilient strategy that demands specific answers.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Artifact

Text of card

At the beginning of your end step, if you gained 3 or more life this turn, create a 3/3 white Angel creature token with flying. , , Exile The Book of Exalted Deeds: Put an enlightened counter on target Angel. It gains "You can't lose the game and your opponents can't win the game." Activate only as a sorcery.


Cards like The Book of Exalted Deeds

The Book of Exalted Deeds stands out as a noteworthy piece in MTG’s enchantment collection, reminiscent of cards that shape the battlefield with their passive effects. Similar in vein to The Immortal Sun, which also restricts certain player actions—namely, the ability to activate planeswalker abilities—it provides a consistent advantage. Yet, The Book of Exalted Deeds is distinguished by its ability to grant you an emblem with “You can’t lose the game and your opponents can’t win the game,” provided you meet its activation conditions and target a creature with lifelink.

Looking into the realm of creature protection, we encounter Avacyn, Angel of Hope. Avacyn shares the protective essence by granting indestructibility to your other permanents, while The Book of Exalted Deeds focuses on player invulnerability. However, unlike the emblem from The Book of Exalted Deeds, Avacyn’s effect can be undone if she’s dealt with.

Analyzing the utility, it becomes evident that The Book of Exalted Deeds offers a unique safeguard resembling a swift and unparalleled endgame strategy. It carves a niche for itself among MTG cards that serve as powerful game finishers or impregnable shields against opponents’ onslaughts.

The Immortal Sun - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
The Immortal Sun - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Book of Exalted Deeds by color, type and mana cost

Idol of Endurance - MTG Card versions
Urza's Sylex - MTG Card versions
Thopter Shop - MTG Card versions
Pearl Shard - MTG Card versions
Soldier Replica - MTG Card versions
Thunder Totem - MTG Card versions
Marble Chalice - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Dominance - MTG Card versions
Blinding Souleater - MTG Card versions
Godsend - MTG Card versions
Peacewalker Colossus - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Widget - MTG Card versions
Riveting Rigger - MTG Card versions
Mace of the Valiant - MTG Card versions
Maul of the Skyclaves - MTG Card versions
Archaeomancer's Map - MTG Card versions
Marble Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Knighted Myr - MTG Card versions
Holy Avenger - MTG Card versions
Cloister Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Idol of Endurance - MTG Card versions
Urza's Sylex - MTG Card versions
Thopter Shop - MTG Card versions
Pearl Shard - MTG Card versions
Soldier Replica - MTG Card versions
Thunder Totem - MTG Card versions
Marble Chalice - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Dominance - MTG Card versions
Blinding Souleater - MTG Card versions
Godsend - MTG Card versions
Peacewalker Colossus - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Widget - MTG Card versions
Riveting Rigger - MTG Card versions
Mace of the Valiant - MTG Card versions
Maul of the Skyclaves - MTG Card versions
Archaeomancer's Map - MTG Card versions
Marble Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Knighted Myr - MTG Card versions
Holy Avenger - MTG Card versions
Cloister Gargoyle - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using The Book of Exalted Deeds. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-White MidrangeMono-White Midrange PioneerMono-White MidrangePioneer League 2024-04-28
Boros AggroBoros Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Selesnya AngelsSelesnya Angels PioneerSelesnya Angels#31 Last Chance Qualifier: Pioneer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Book of Exalted Deeds provides a unique edge by allowing you to convert life gain into an indestructible Angel token. This bolsters your board presence and can repeatedly provide advantage if you consistently gain life, putting you well ahead of your opponent in terms of valuable assets on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to create a token that embodies a powerful creature type, it effectively accelerates your board state without the need for additional mana investment. This seamless integration into White’s life gain strategies turns a common resource — life points — into tangible, game-altering assets.

Instant Speed: While The Book of Exalted Deeds itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its ability to grant an Emblem that makes a land indestructible can be activated at instant speed if the required mana and conditions are met. This allows for strategic flexibility, ensuring your crucial land remains a constant resource amidst your opponent’s attempts to disrupt your mana base during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While The Book of Exalted Deeds doesn’t require a discard directly, it necessitates careful hand management to ensure you meet its strict activation conditions without depleting valuable resources.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands an exacting mana arrangement of triple white, which can be challenging to achieve reliably outside of mono-white or heavy white-based decks, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Bearing a significant cost of three white mana, The Book of Exalted Deeds can be a hefty investment in the early game. This can be problematic when playing against fast-paced decks that demand a quicker response.


Reasons to Include The Book of Exalted Deeds in Your Collection

Versatility: The Book of Exalted Deeds offers a unique angle for white decks to leverage the power of lifegain strategies. As a mythic rare card, it offers nuanced plays beyond simple healing by enabling you to turn a creature into an Angel and pumping it with additional abilities. It’s an adaptable tool in decks that focus on life manipulation and control.

Combo Potential: There’s immense synergy to exploit with The Book of Exalted Deeds, especially when combined with cards that protect your permanents or increase lifegain effects. This can lead to game-changing combos that can lock opponents out of victory or amplify your win condition through a fortified board state.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where control and long-game strategies are prevalent, The Book of Exalted Deeds shines as it fortifies your defenses and sets the stage for late-game dominance. It helps to solidify positions against aggressive decks and enables comeback mechanics that are vital in fluctuating environments.


How to Beat

The Book of Exalted Deeds is a powerful MTG card that adds a layer of resilience to your strategy, mainly through its ability to transform a land into an indestructible entity. Overcoming this can be challenging, but not impossible. One effective approach to bypass its benefits is to employ land removal spells or effects that force a player to sacrifice a permanent. Directly targeting the enchanted land with a card like Field of Ruin can quickly dismantle your opponent’s fortified position.

Another practical method is to attack the card’s activated abilities. Counterspells like Negate can prevent The Book of Exalted Deeds from being used effectively. Additionally, if the enchantment has already taken hold, phasing out your opponent’s land through cards like Teferi’s Time Twist or even exiling it with something like Scavenger Grounds are potent options to neutralize their advantage.

It’s also worth considering strategies that don’t confront the card head-on. Applying pressure with an aggressive deck that outpaces the setup of The Book of Exalted Deeds can often lead to victory before your opponent can leverage its power. In essence, understanding the right time to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is key when facing this formidable card.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG comes down to strategic deck building and in-depth knowledge of the cards at your disposal. The Book of Exalted Deeds stands as a testament to the intricacy and depth of gameplay available. If you’re intrigued by the potential it brings to a White lifegain deck, or you aim to construct an indestructible fortress, this card can be a cornerstone. But there’s always more beneath the surface in MTG. Enhance your play further by exploring synergies and counter-strategies to truly excel. Dive into our reservoir of wisdom for deeper insights and strategies to ensure your next duel ends in triumph.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Book of Exalted Deeds MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The List, 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 The Book of Exalted Deeds and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The The Book of Exalted Deeds Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 926222015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
22020-09-26The ListPLST AFR-42015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
32021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 4p2015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
42021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 4s2015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
52021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten Realms PromosPAFR 4a2015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
62021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 3592015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren
72021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 42015NormalBlackDaniel Ljunggren

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Book of Exalted Deeds has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2021-07-23 The Angel won't lose the ability it gains if it stops being an Angel after the ability resolves.
2021-07-23 The enlightenment counter placed by the last ability serves as a memory aid. It isn't connected to the granted ability. The Angel keeps that ability even if it loses the counter. Similarly, if the counter is somehow moved to another permanent, that permanent doesn't gain the ability.