Angelheart Protector MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Released	2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set name	Zendikar Rising
Set code	ZNR
Power	3
Toughness	2
Number	3
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Cristi Balanescu

Key Takeaways

Angelheart Protector changes combat dynamics by boosting creatures as it enters the battlefield.
It synergizes well with enter-the-battlefield and temporary stat boost strategies.
Despite mana cost considerations, it remains an adaptable pick for creature-focused decks.

Text of card

When Angelheart Protector enters the battlefield, target creature you control gains indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.)

"We shall persevere."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Angelheart Protector provides a valuable benefit when it enters the battlefield by giving another target creature you control a boost. This can turn the tide of battle in your favor, making it more than just a creature— but a pivotal play that can influence the game’s outcome.

Resource Acceleration: Although Angelheart Protector doesn’t directly accelerate your resources in the traditional sense, its synergy with other cards that care about creature entering the battlefield can potentially ramp up your advantage. It’s a common piece that pairs nicely in decks designed to leverage every creature’s impact.

Instant Speed: Angelheart Protector itself may not be an instant, but its effect on the battle is immediate. This adds to its value as it can be a surprise element during combat—not in casting it, but in the selection of the creature it empowers, which can be critical for blocking or attacking strategies.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Angelheart Protector doesn’t call for a card discard directly, it needs to be played thoughtfully, especially in a deck where every card in hand is crucial. Playing it at a moment when the benefit might not be maximized could be a setback.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one white mana, Angelheart Protector can be a challenge to cast in a multi-colored deck if mana fixing isn’t sorted out or if there’s a scarcity of white mana sources in the current board state.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For Angelheart Protector’s ability to give a creature you control a +1/+1 bump only until the end of the turn, its three total mana cost is a significant investment. This could be restrictive early in the game or when competing against lower-cost creatures with more permanent abilities or effects.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Angelheart Protector provides an immediate impact on the game by buffing a creature the moment it hits the battlefield. Perfect for decks that aim to protect pivotal creatures or those who seek an advantage in combat scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card offers synergy with strategies revolving around enter-the-battlefield effects or those that capitalize on temporary stat boosts. Additionally, its human cleric identity can be instrumental in tribe-specific decks.

Meta-Relevance: As gameplay styles shift, Angelheart Protector remains a relevant choice, particularly in formats that favor creature-based strategies. Its ability to safeguard key creatures from removal makes it a noteworthy inclusion against control-heavy opponents.

How to beat

Angelheart Protector offers a modest yet potentially impactful presence in Magic: The Gathering games. As a creature card that gives another of your creatures a temporary buff when it enters the battlefield, it operates as a facilitator for more significant plays. To effectively combat Angelheart Protector, consider timing your removal spells. Cards that can unconditionally remove creatures, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can disrupt your opponent’s strategy by targeting the creature receiving the Protector’s boost.

Moreover, utilizing instant-speed removal allows you to react at the most advantageous moment, ideally when the Protector’s ability triggers, thus preventing your opponent from reaping the benefits of its protective aura. In games revolving around attrition, every card-play counts, and negating the advantage gained by Angelheart Protector can be crucial. Another tactic involves controlling the battlefield with sweepers such as Wrath of God or Damnation to clear the board of multiple threats, including the Protector, in one fell swoop.

Ultimately, understanding your deck’s interaction with the field and dynamically managing threats will be key in outmaneuvering opponents utilizing Angelheart Protector. Stay one step ahead, and the protector’s attempt at safeguarding its allies falls short, leaving your path to victory clear.

Understanding Angelheart Protector’s Role

Angelheart Protector serves as a valuable piece in the MTG universe, particularly in decks that emphasize on protecting and bolstering other creatures. Its defining capability is the ability to confer a temporary boost in toughness and power to another creature when it enters the battlefield. Unlike other combat tricks, Angelheart Protector adds a body to the board while interacting positively with other creatures.

Cards like Angelheart Protector

In comparing Angelheart Protector with its counterparts, one can look at Serra Angel. Both share the flying attribute, but Serra Angel stands out with vigilance and a stronger overall presence on the board. Nevertheless, Angelheart Protector has a lower mana cost and provides an immediate impact on another creature, potentially altering combat outcomes favorably.

Another card worth mentioning is Emancipation Angel. Similar to Angelheart Protector, it has a play-impact effect, but rather than strengthening another creature, it returns a permanent to your hand, offering a different strategic benefit. This showcases the Protector’s unique blend of supporting offense while contributing to your battlefield presence.

While cards like Serra Angel and Emancipation Angel offer distinct advantages, Angelheart Protector’s ability to protect and buff teammates as it enters combat secures its niche, making it an unexpectedly versatile ally in many gameplay scenarios.

Cards similar to Angelheart Protector by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Angelheart Protector MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Angelheart Protector and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Angelheart Protector has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal