Radiant, Archangel MTG Card
Key Takeaways
- Radiant’s power scales with the number of flyers, upping her threat level significantly in the right deck.
- Two specific white mana in her cost can limit deck diversity but ensure a strong mono-white presence.
- Her ability to fit various strategies makes Radiant a valuable addition to your flying-centric deck arsenal.
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 Radiant, Archangel counts as an Angel. Attacking does not cause Radiant to tap. Radiant gets +1/+1 for each other creature with flying in play.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Radiant, Archangel’s intrinsic value comes from being a powerful flying threat that gets stronger with each additional flyer on the battlefield. This means that in a deck with numerous flying creatures, she can quickly become a dominant force, outclassing other creatures and providing you with a clear advantage in terms of board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Although Radiant, Archangel herself does not directly provide mana or resource acceleration, her ability to become a major threat without additional mana investment allows you to allocate resources elsewhere. This strategic flexibility can be seen as a form of indirect acceleration since the resources you might typically spend on bolstering a creature’s power can instead be used to develop your board or respond to opponents’ threats.
Instant Speed: While Radiant, Archangel doesn’t operate at instant speed, her imposing presence on the battlefield requires opponents to think twice before acting. Knowing that any attack into the air could be met with a formidable blocker may prompt opponents to hold back, effectively giving you control over the pacing of the game, much like the strategic advantage instant speed interactions provide.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Radiant, Archangel does not have a discard requirement, maintaining the level of card advantage with other strategies in a game could pose a challenge when managing resources alongside this creature.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Radiant, Archangel includes two white mana, which can restrict its integration into more diverse multi-color decks, potentially making it less flexible for a variety of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of five mana, including two that are color-specific, it confronts players with a significant resource commitment. In the same mana range, other cards might offer more immediate board impact or value, which is an important consideration for optimizing deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Radiant, Archangel shines in its ability to adapt to various deck archetypes. As a flyer with vigilance, she suits both aggressive and defensive strategies, safeguarding the skies while remaining an ever-present blocker.
Combo Potential: Radiant’s power scales with the number of fliers you control, which opens up numerous combo possibilities. Pair her with token-generating cards or effects that can multiply creatures to amplify her presence on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures are prominent, Radiant, Archangel stands out as a valuable asset. Her strength in countering other aerial threats while potentially growing into a formidable force makes her a compelling pick for your collection.
How to beat Radiant, Archangel
Swooping into the battlefield, Radiant, Archangel is a commanding presence, her strength scaling with the number of flyers you control. Overcoming this celestial force requires strategic play and an understanding of her mechanics. Removal spells are a must-have in your arsenal against her. Employ cards like Doom Blade for a straightforward take-down, or consider using board wipes like Day of Judgment to clear the skies of her and other flying allies.
Ensnaring Radiant before she can accumulate power is another tactic. Cards with the ability to tap creatures, such as Frost Lynx, or those that prevent untapping, like Sleep, can keep her grounded and ineffective. Combat tricks are also effective; engage her in battle with a creature equipped with instant-speed buffs like Giant Growth to turn the tides in your favor.
Ultimately, your goal is to mitigate her influence before she becomes overwhelming. Counter spells like Counterspell or aggro strategies to pressure your opponent early on can prevent her from becoming the radiant menace she has the potential to be. Adapt your approach, keep your answers ready, and you’ll stand a solid chance against Radiant, Archangel’s divine might.
Cards like Radiant, Archangel
Radiant, Archangel stands as an iconic figure among a venerable lineup of flying creatures throughout Magic: The Gathering’s history. Particularly within the angel tribe, Radiant shares the skies with powerful contemporaries like Serra Angel. Both cards present a formidable presence in the air, but Radiant offers power that scales with the number of fliers under your command, setting her apart as a high-potential threat in decks dense with flying creatures.
Similar in theme and impact is the card Baneslayer Angel, a mythic creature known for its sheer stat dominance and lifelink and protection abilities. While Baneslayer is generally more straightforward in its use, Radiant, Archangel can outshine in scenarios where the skies teem with allies. And let’s not overlook Archangel of Thune which, though more mana-intensive, synergizes well in life-gain strategies and can proliferate counters across your board, potentially eclipsing Radiant if the right conditions are met.
The comparison showcases that Radiant, Archangel holds a unique place in MTG, particularly fitting for players who seek to leverage airborne armadas. Each of these angelic beings carries specific strategic strengths, but Radiant’s capacity to escalate her power is an attribute that can be harnessed to tip the scales in aerial combat.
Cards similar to Radiant, Archangel by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Radiant, Archangel MTG card by a specific set like Urza's Legacy and Vintage Masters, 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 Radiant, Archangel and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Radiant, Archangel Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-02-15 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Michael Sutfin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-02-15 | Urza's Legacy | ULG | 20 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 40 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Michael Sutfin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Radiant, Archangel has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
