But i somewhat have to agree with rubber concerning the etb-effect. Why did Wizards design that card in a way that prevents it from killing Baneslayer Angel? I thought the actual intention of that card's protection part was to ensure it's the mightiest flyer in M10 against others. It's not that this card is greatly useful just to be used as reliable body...*sigh*.
Saha
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I was just thinking that a 6/3 fear for 5 is awesome, but you made me think again. Now I don't know. With Unholy Strength it would survive Usain Lightning Bolts and deal 8 damage a turn.
Wow, I hear blood speaker calling this guys name, use blood speaker to get this guy right to your hand, then after you play it get blood speaker back, and make more demons while killing off one enemy and gaining a 6/3 with intimidated.. pretty decent.
sir_dwar
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Decent, but I wish Wizard's will errata this into the test, "... destroy target angel, even if target would otherwise have protection from Halo Hunter" Baneslayer needs something to stop it.
shiana
★★☆☆☆ (2.6/5.0)(8 votes)
1 bolt and he's dead
dgregory
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Why couldn't this have been a horror, or even a vampire? (like the tribe needed anything else) At least make the ability non-target to get get around protection. Hell, If this thing destroyed ALL angels on one side of the table (something i find to be very reasonable given the relative infrequency of the creature type) we'd be talking about an answer to Luminarch Ascension as well as all the 2010 angels. As is though, it's really sick as a Divine vs. Demonic addition.
Oleander
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(6 votes)
It may be just me, but I find the name entirely too stupid. When I hear something like Halo Hunter, I either a) think of a kind of nerd in the game Halo, or b) think of a pedophile at a Christmas pageant. Halo Hunter doesn't inspire any sort of demonic sense, it's just a totally silly name. As for what it does, it's extremely disappointing, and I would be very upset to open this in a booster, as it has little use at all. Any angel in standard that would pose any immediate threat to you can null this guy on the spot. Baneslayer Angel has protection, Iona, Shield of Emeria can shut down your color (can't play him), and the Empyrial Archangel has shroud. And to think, this guy wastes a rare slot too? If he's gonna be rare, he needs to be rare worthy, not one of those mistakes where they go "Oops, that didn't fix the problem we wanted it to fix." If he was something other than a demon, it'd work. If his ability said "target opponent sacrifices an angel" it would be incredibly better. But no. It targets, and it's a demon. Very poor planning against a white deck with a nasty beater.
Mightyass
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Great. Standard needs a way to kill Baneslayer Angel (other than Doom blade) so they make a creature that cannot destroy him. Yaay WoTC!!! :(
Looks good until you realize that it can't target any Angel worth targeting. A 6/3 with fear for five mana isn't terrible I suppose, but there's just so much wasted potential here.
Artifice101
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Malakir. Nuf' said.
rubber
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
I don't understand why this card exists... Mildly useful as a Fear attacker, but it's so easy to kill. And why make an enters-the-battlefield ability that will never be used? There simply aren't enough angels in limited, and it can't kill Baneslayer Angel or Akroma, Angel of Wrath, so there will never be anything for it to hit in constructed either. Maybe in casual if there's changelings, but what's the point? Certainly a high pick in limited, I'll give it that. Very painful if you're not drawing the removal for it.
Also, the picture is meh.
trancebam
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(11 votes)
He can kill Baneslayer Angel. The way they worded it is what actually lets you kill Baneslayer Angel.
cadenblade
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Eh, this should only have had uncomon status at the most. maybe if it were a 6/6 and read "when -card- enters the battlefield, destroy target white creature" and had fear it would be worthy of rare. this was a disappointment.
Jackflap
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(6 votes)
To reply to Cadenblade, Mr. Rosewater wrote about demons and vampires in his Care for a Bite article a little over a week ago. Basically, demons are currently the head honcho for black creatures, which means several things. This one was likely top-down designed for flavor over power, which means that for the rarity it would generally be low-end. It would likely be rare due to being an iconic creature (demon). The angel-killing aspect would have to be on a demon if it was on a creature, as the two are diametrically opposed, and the designers likely would not waste a sorcery/instant on angel killing, but the offensive creature attached to the ability ensures the card will be playable against any deck. Being a low end rare by nature, it would have to have a large drawback, but that would aesthetically muck up the tidy package you have dismissed, hence the drop in toughness. And, finally, it does have fear. Fear was found to be a useful ability but labeled such it was restricted to black cards. Now, we have intimidate, which on a black creature still reads like fear.
flzooman
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
i love this card and think it is awesome. wen you put it into play you automattically destroy an angel, and when he attacks its pretty hard foryour opponent to block him. and a 5 converted mana cost is easy to play him, great card
Batstewart
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I was quite disappointed when I opened a booster and saw this. I was happier about my Grim Discovery.
Qazior
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Have you ppl looked at the rulings for this? Look at the intimidate part, it says "Normally, Halo Hunter can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or red creatures." Eh?
To the card itself, it's quite poorly designed to be a rare, but i think it was made to balance black's power in this set
Behalter
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Poining this out to the other random guy, this can't actually kill a baneslayer angel, its ability would have to target the angel, and since its from a demon source baneslayer has protection from it.
iondragonx
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I absolutely love this card. But then, I play with Deathrenders and Rite of Consumptions in my Demon deck... Hit for eight, drain for eight, slap down a new nasty.
AbyssalManZero
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I don't personally care what anyone says, granted they have good points, but for the most part he's brutal, plenty of good angels he can annialate Serra Angel, Angel of salvation, Battlegrace Angel... Among others. I like his name just fine, leaves no question about what he's all about LOL :P
JaxsonBateman
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Not bad at all in limited. Most players roll with 1 or 2 colours (usually 2 from my experiences), so it's effectively a 3 in 5 chance of being an unblockable 6 power creature. Of course, there's always Stonework Puma and Hedron Scrabbler, but neither of those can kill Halo Hunter on its own.
blackstarheart
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I've been seeing comments about Baneslayer Angel and how to get rid of it other than Doomblade. Building a deck with Halo Hunter is possible and viable if Terminate is added to that deck. Terminate (1swamp 1mountain) can remove any pesky creature that Halo Hunter can't remove. Terminate is legal in standard. Dark Banishing works too... point is Halo Hunter is good at removing "minor angels" effectively and that all it's good for. Now say you have Xathrid Demon in play... play Halo Hunter, destroy pesky minor angel like Serra Angel or the like, play terminates, lightning and incinerates to get rid of other angels (if you're playing a black red deck), sarcifice Halo Hunter deal 6 to all opponents. That makes Halo Hunter very useful! Just some ideas...
Selez
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
People keep complaining about how bad this card is, how it's a waste of a rare slot, and all that. True, it's very unlikely to make it in standard. True, it dies to bolt. True, it's ability was created for resonance and flavor reasons that sort of FAIL given the three most popular angels in recent sets. But three things come to mind in response to these complaints: First, NOT EVERY RARE IS GOING TO BE GOOD! The bad rares are what make the good rares more worthy of their status as RARE and more expensive which keeps Wizards thriving. Second, certain cards are rare not because of their playability but because their effect isn't supposed to be a common or even uncommon effect. Who wants to see this card at uncommon, what with the whole "destroy target angel" bit?? Third, it actually ISN'T THAT BAD. An oft unblockable 6-power creature is great in casual and limited. Just consider the angel massacre an added bonus. Those who get this in a pack and swear just aren't creative enough (or are way too hardcore about Magic, and are missing out on the joys of casual).
BelloAbril
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Black response to the new Angel of Admonition, yay.
Gezus82
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
it's funny but I pulled this and am actually quite impressed. a 6/3 intimidate for 5 is nothing to scoff at. and actually killing and admonition angel once made me love him, though he should definitely not be played for his stupid angel-bane ability
PaladinOfSunhome
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Good anti-Angel but he is let down by his lower toughness and I agree with Oleander. Awesome art, though.
3.5
CatsAreCthala
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(20 votes)
Magic planning guys: Let's make an answer to Baneslayer! Designer: I just did! Play tester: Wait a minute...
GradiustheFox
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The questionable usefulness aside, though I think it's a decent enough deal if you ignore the silly angel killing ability... That aside.. I just can't get over how goofy he looks. For one thing he's in the standard Bigfoot pose. The fistful of halos should be very grim and creepy, but it looks more like he's off to play a ring toss or maybe go to a rave. The way he's looking at the viewer, finally, just gives me the impression of a blue collar worker strolling by like 'yo'. I just can't take him seriously, no matter how many spikes on his back or fangs in his mouth he has.
hhfgd
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
i dont know what your all complaning about this card is solid . any body running mono black is
gonna have so much good removal they dont have to worry about baneslayer..in fact i welcome it as i doom blade it and rise it from the grave ..this card is solid and underated.4\5 easily
thor0625
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
i use this guy just for making attacks, and a good sacrifice for xathrid demon if halo hunter survives... good to use against mono colored decks.. i have 2 of this in my deck.. just because he's a demon.. haha
Lord_AndraK
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If it said all opponents Sacrifice an angel now that would be something.
oh baneslayers your only angel in play did you say, too bad!
sacrifcing protection doesnt help there.
RafiqTheMiststalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I would've loved this if it's effect was:
"As you cast Halo Hunter, name an Angel. When Halo Hunter enters the battlefield, target opponent sacrifices all creatures they control with the same name." or however Oracle would write it.
I feel this might see some play that way, cause, as it is, this doesn't really do much. Akroma and Baneslayer can't be killed by this, and they are two of the best angels imo.
psyklone
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(10 votes)
Anyone notice how the rulings think this card is red? In theory you can use this to force your opponent to not block despite having a black creature. Whatever you can convince a judge of is legal, even if it isn't. Lost a match by being out argued before.
Sironos
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(13 votes)
If your opponent has no black or artifact creatures, a 6/3 with intimidate for 5 CMC is pretty good, so just ignore that angelkiller ability.
Love the art, kinda looks like a differently coloured Diablo.
He should have been in divine vs. demonic, would've made a lot of sense.
GruesomeGoo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The biggest tease of a card ever. Seriosuly, obviously this was made to give people who complain about Baneslayer Angel a good middle finger. I mean, there's only one Angel in Magic that's REALLY good. Oh, but it conviently has protection from Demons. Thanks Wizards.
SoulShatterer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Good-Bye, Akroma. Wait, PROTECTION FROM BLACK. Still, it can kill Serra Angel and Admonition Angel, so it isn't a TOTAL waste.
Fear > Intimidate...wotc switch it back for black creatures at least.
Wizards please just as you changed several of the keywords mechanics, change intimidate's.
Should read "This creature can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or creatures with power equal or greater than this creature's power."
Blackworm_Bloodworm
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
If more angels actually had halos, his name would make more sense. Admonition, Lightkeeper, and Shepherd of the Lost are the only angels I've seen with anything remotely halo-like. It's a shame, too. I wish more angels were depicted with halos.
He may not be able to kill Baneslayer, but he can kill just about every other angel, and angels are dangerous.
Dr.Cannon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
This card is MEAN! It's fairly low mana cost and abilities should make anyone look over it's low toughness... although really it's not THAT low.
channelblaze
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(8 votes)
WHY can't this thing take out BSA. That's not that much to ask, is it. But no, it just sorta sits there and gets lightning bolted...
AXER
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(2 votes)
There are too many f@gg angels from Zendikar. This guy should be able to set them in their place. And why the hell was this not put in Demons VS Angels?
Nathreet
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
Most people don't play angels (nor anything so specific) so I find that ability pretty irrelevant except when side-boarding. Even if it took out baneslayer that'd be pretty pointless except as sideboard material. But a 6/3 intimidate for only 5 isn't bad.
Tiggurix
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(2 votes)
Stupid name. Stupid flavour. Decent card.
How the hell are you supposed to grab hold of a halo in the first place? They are holy nimbuses of light, not tacky floating rings. It's still a decent card, but seen from a Vorthosian point of view, I think it's completely unappealing.
Shadoflaam
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(6 votes)
I tried to use this against a baneslayer once. I lost the FNM and was horribly embarrassed. Now I want a baneslayer.
NARFNra
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(5 votes)
That is some badass flavor right there.
JWalks82
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(3 votes)
One of the only demons without a drawback. That being said, one of the biggest Bolt lure's i've seen..
Duskdale_Wurm
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(3 votes)
6/3 Intimidate.
: O
Tynansdtm
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Errata fail.
ZeroSheep
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Silly demon, it's available at your local Gamestop!
Tetsu_tora
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I can generate this effect with Phyrexian Broodstock and escape routes or cavern harpy. Flavorful card IS flavorful tho. 3.5
SeiberTross
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(6 votes)
This may be the easiest card ever to overlook the fact that its a 6/3 intimidate for 5. Talk about an ability to end games quickly. The whole angel death deal is just icing on the cake. This actually can end games FASTER than Baneslayer Angel for everyone complaining about the lack of killing that card.
For reference there has NEVER been a creature with intimidate/fear with that much power printed for such a low cost. Dust Elemental was, but you had to return 3 creatures to play it.
MagicMTG
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(3 votes)
I think Halo Hunter is a pretty cool guy. eh kills angels and doesn't afraid of anything...
DragoKnight
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Seiber To be fair, the Baneslayer Angel also has Lifelink and First Strike. Sure, first strike is really only relevant against anything <= 5, but it does help when those situations do occur. Not to mention Lifelink on a 5/5 flying body can help you gain a bit of life too, thus prolonging the game a little. Not to mention she has protection, but those protections are kinda weak, so that point is kinda moot.
So...while this Demon can potentially finish off your opponent faster, Baneslayer can at least heal you good size chunk life for you.
Now, this isn't saying the demon is bad, cause your right, 6/3 intimidator for 5 is pretty scary.
Kryptnyt
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Okay. Look at this guy. Now look at Amphin Cutthroat. Now look at this guy. Look back at Amphin Cutthroat. What do you call this? Pose theft?
they should have worded it as "target player sacrifices an Angel creature" :(
OmegaSerris
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(3 votes)
When Halo Hunter enters the battlefield, target player sacrifices an Angel.
Wow, was that so hard? Even better:
When Halo Hunter enters the battlefield, each player sacrifices an Angel. Put a +1/+1 counter on Halo Hunter for each creature sacrificed this way.
It would have had more purpose in Constructed while being a fun build-around card for multiplayer (Mirrorweave/changeling shenanigans). As it is, it's pretty much just a somewhat decent creature with a very circumstantial (read: practically non-existent) Doom Blade tied to it.
AvatarofBro
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is a fine card, it was just of victim of its time. If this had come out when Baneslayer wasn't decimating standard, I think it would have fared much better. Imagine how effective it would be during Avacyn Restored...
Notchism
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
instead of griselbrand how about halo hunter getting reprinted
I could be wrong, but I think those are the most relevant Angels that this cannot touch. There are quite a lot more than just those Angels though that exist. Would have been nice if this had actually worked for Standard, but other than the tiny issue with Baneslayer, he does what you should expect him to do in other Formats.
I think there would have been a lot more positive feelings towards both cards if this had simply been made BEFORE Baneslayer (and Baneslayer cost {1} more, obv.) Before Baneslayer, this guy is, in fact, a slaughterer of all/nearly all Angels. Akroma and Avacyn have every right to be able to get around him, being massive Legendaries, and because Good Guys aren't *really* allowed to lose. That would leave Sigurda and Baneslayer as somewhat pushed/annoying standouts, but Reiver Demon gets them both unless I'm very mistaken.
Here is an excellent reason to not knock this card though: Gisela, Blade of Goldnight. Yep, this guy works on her. Your welcome.
Kaalia will still be rocking practically all the cards I listed except Sigurda, but she's Kaalia. That's kinda her thing :)P
Comments (76)
But i somewhat have to agree with rubber concerning the etb-effect.
Why did Wizards design that card in a way that prevents it from killing Baneslayer Angel? I thought the actual intention of that card's protection part was to ensure it's the mightiest flyer in M10 against others.
It's not that this card is greatly useful just to be used as reliable body...*sigh*.
Certainly a high pick in limited, I'll give it that. Very painful if you're not drawing the removal for it.
Also, the picture is meh.
To the card itself, it's quite poorly designed to be a rare, but i think it was made to balance black's power in this set
3.5
Designer: I just did!
Play tester: Wait a minute...
That aside.. I just can't get over how goofy he looks. For one thing he's in the standard Bigfoot pose. The fistful of halos should be very grim and creepy, but it looks more like he's off to play a ring toss or maybe go to a rave. The way he's looking at the viewer, finally, just gives me the impression of a blue collar worker strolling by like 'yo'. I just can't take him seriously, no matter how many spikes on his back or fangs in his mouth he has.
gonna have so much good removal they dont have to worry about baneslayer..in fact i welcome it as i doom blade it and rise it from the grave ..this card is solid and underated.4\5 easily
oh baneslayers your only angel in play did you say, too bad!
sacrifcing protection doesnt help there.
"As you cast Halo Hunter, name an Angel. When Halo Hunter enters the battlefield, target opponent sacrifices all creatures they control with the same name."
or however Oracle would write it.
I feel this might see some play that way, cause, as it is, this doesn't really do much.
Akroma and Baneslayer can't be killed by this, and they are two of the best angels imo.
In theory you can use this to force your opponent to not block despite having a black creature.
Whatever you can convince a judge of is legal, even if it isn't. Lost a match by being out argued before.
Love the art, kinda looks like a differently coloured Diablo.
He should have been in divine vs. demonic, would've made a lot of sense.
...or not.
Wizards please just as you changed several of the keywords mechanics, change intimidate's.
Should read
"This creature can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or creatures with power equal or greater than this creature's power."
Admonition, Lightkeeper, and Shepherd of the Lost are the only angels I've seen with anything remotely halo-like. It's a shame, too. I wish more angels were depicted with halos.
He may not be able to kill Baneslayer, but he can kill just about every other angel, and angels are dangerous.
And why the hell was this not put in Demons VS Angels?
How the hell are you supposed to grab hold of a halo in the first place? They are holy nimbuses of light, not tacky floating rings. It's still a decent card, but seen from a Vorthosian point of view, I think it's completely unappealing.
: O
For reference there has NEVER been a creature with intimidate/fear with that much power printed for such a low cost. Dust Elemental was, but you had to return 3 creatures to play it.
To be fair, the Baneslayer Angel also has Lifelink and First Strike. Sure, first strike is really only relevant against anything <= 5, but it does help when those situations do occur. Not to mention Lifelink on a 5/5 flying body can help you gain a bit of life too, thus prolonging the game a little. Not to mention she has protection, but those protections are kinda weak, so that point is kinda moot.
So...while this Demon can potentially finish off your opponent faster, Baneslayer can at least heal you good size chunk life for you.
Now, this isn't saying the demon is bad, cause your right, 6/3 intimidator for 5 is pretty scary.
Look at this guy.
Now look at Amphin Cutthroat.
Now look at this guy.
Look back at Amphin Cutthroat.
What do you call this? Pose theft?
Wow, was that so hard? Even better:
When Halo Hunter enters the battlefield, each player sacrifices an Angel. Put a +1/+1 counter on Halo Hunter for each creature sacrificed this way.
It would have had more purpose in Constructed while being a fun build-around card for multiplayer (Mirrorweave/changeling shenanigans). As it is, it's pretty much just a somewhat decent creature with a very circumstantial (read: practically non-existent) Doom Blade tied to it.
I could be wrong, but I think those are the most relevant Angels that this cannot touch. There are quite a lot more than just those Angels though that exist. Would have been nice if this had actually worked for Standard, but other than the tiny issue with Baneslayer, he does what you should expect him to do in other Formats.
I think there would have been a lot more positive feelings towards both cards if this had simply been made BEFORE Baneslayer (and Baneslayer cost {1} more, obv.) Before Baneslayer, this guy is, in fact, a slaughterer of all/nearly all Angels. Akroma and Avacyn have every right to be able to get around him, being massive Legendaries, and because Good Guys aren't *really* allowed to lose. That would leave Sigurda and Baneslayer as somewhat pushed/annoying standouts, but Reiver Demon gets them both unless I'm very mistaken.
Here is an excellent reason to not knock this card though: Gisela, Blade of Goldnight. Yep, this guy works on her. Your welcome.
Kaalia will still be rocking practically all the cards I listed except Sigurda, but she's Kaalia. That's kinda her thing :)P
Lol, you have to kill an angel if their is a legal target, even if the only angel is your general.
/fail
They are certainly for different purposes; but 6 evasion in a control deck is... pretty damn brutal.
KILLS OWN CHANGELING
My life. Wry.