This is likely going to be insane combined with Sacred Wolf or other hexproof creatures. Seriously.
Deco_y
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Combo with the infect creature of your choice.
sonorhC
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(6 votes)
2 mana to make something unblockable, able to survive blocking anything, and safe from some other creature-based effects, plus it pumps up the creature a little. Yeah, that sounds pretty good to me.
A3Kitsune
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I love it when auras that go great on Sacred Wolf have flavor that says the enchanted creature is "sacred" in some way. And then, this matches up with her flavor text perfectly.
DlCK
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Wizards is clearly trying to see just how good they can make an enchantment and still keep a contingency of nay-sayers who wine that enchantments create card disadvantage.
Effective in limited, i'll be putting some in my {G}{W} aura / hexproof deck, that being said, on a normal creature there is still the chance of card disadvantage from sorceries and instants, as well as things like Unsummon. Still a great card nonetheless.
RichardJesperson
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's easy to underestimate how useful protection from creatures is. Put this on a big creature (or worse, Phage) and watch your opponent cry when you attack.
Dr.Pingas
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(7 votes)
See, this is why I liked older magic. If I were designing a card like this, it would give it -1/-1, not +
blindthrall
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
WHAT?
OmegaSerris
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I love how three words adds so many functions to this card. Others have already listed them, so I won't echo it. But, yeah. I'm really liking this.
One possible modification that could have improved it is to nix the +1/+1 or, as someone suggested, make it -1/-1 and add "When enchanted creature dies, draw a card." which is in no way out of white's color (and it would be a nice, nonbroken throwback to Skullclamp). You could even go as far as "leaves play" but doesn't really matter, it's all theoretical anyways.
This in a set with hexproof will be a beast in limited. There must be a way to make it work in a constructed deck. Great for offense or defense.
SolidSoldier
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Quite possibly one of my most favorite Auras ever. Next to Spirit Loop.
AngelPhoenix
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is REALLY SCARY for 2 mana. They HAVE to use their spot removal on a creature with this, that might save another creature of yours with no protection at all. And like Dragonbreath said, this plus hexproof, specifically Sacred Wolf and suddenly your 3/1 dies easily to creatures not-much-of-a-threat becomes a 4/2 unblockable invicinvble game winner (barring feild wipes of course).
White needs more cards like this. I always felt that the point of white was to have pretty uninspiring creatures (from a value for mana standpoint) but to have the ability to make those creatures absolutely devasting with instant boosts and enchantments. Between this and Angelic Destiny, I think we're on the right track. Now all we need is a reprint of Flickering Ward, probably the best aura ever printed.
Compare to Unquestioned Authority. You don't get to draw, but this baby costs 1 mana less AND pumps it by 1. For those who played during Judgement, giving something protection from creatures is fairly powerful if you do it at the right time.
Not to mention that this combos well with anything that abuses enchantments. Evershrike anyone?
Exelia
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
I'm pretty new to MTG, so if I'm giving out wrong information then someone please correct me ;) @TwoStars I don't think that combo would work (or rather, they wouldn't combo at all). Lure forces the defending player to assign all his/ her available creatures to block the Lure-d (attacking) creature. The creature protection granted by Spirit Mantle doesn't allow any blockers to be assigned to the enchanted creature, which would leave the defending player free to assign blockers as s/he wishes. So the effect of Spirit Mantle causes the effect of Lure to, well, be ineffective.
NeoKoda
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Exalia is completely right. Lure doesn't allow illegal blockings.
EDIT: Wait... I don`t remember writing this at all. Though, Exelia is correct.
Hibron
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Your creature's spiritual mantle will not shelter it from a Curtain of Light ! ;)
ChumleyX
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card won me many a game in the pre-release. It also saved my butt on several occasions.
Since it worked so well in pre-release, I decided to test it out in my vintage G/W/U enchantment deck -- it's FANTASTIC. The +1/+1 and lower casting cost make it much more viable than Unquestioned Authority, which never made the cut. Now my four Kor Spiritdancer can enjoy Rancor, Spirit Loop and this. 4.0/5, for sure.
Paladin85
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Beloved Chaplain in aura form, makes your creature nigh unblockable and a super blocker. Let down only because its an aura and therefore vulnerable in some situations
Budget Angelic Destiny for Traft decks? Yes please! Half the CMC, too, which makes saving a little mana for counterspells/instant draw that much easier.
UrbanCleric
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
just a question if I usedGideon Jura . " becomes creature till end of turn" and cast this on him would he lose the enchantment once hes not a creature any more?
"Protection from creatures;" because just printing 'enchanted creature is unblockable' WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH.
Better find a way to give whatever this is equipped to shroud or hexproof (or just equip it to something with hexproof), because anything that has this that can still be targeted is going to eat a kill spell really soon.
4.5 out of 5 for having the potential to cause more moans and groans from your opponent that nost any other aura you can throw down, but for simultaneously making whatever to play it on the biggest target on the board.
woodbok
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Messes up creature based decks.
RATZGobbler
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Palace Guard anyone? They should really make more creatures that can block any number.
Guest704514906
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
can morkut banshee target a creature with spirit mantle?
j_mindfingerpainter
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
And I cast Pariah? Your creatures can't deal damage to me or whichever creature I want? Oh, yeah.
I know there are loopholes and everything like that but at least it's a start. Without the help of Phytohydra or Stuffy Doll, this is my alternative help for Pariah.
Bob111634
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card always infuriates my opponents, but it also turns the enchanted creature into a major target if it lacks hexproof
dingophone
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card <3s vigilance!
LordOfTheFlies87
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Powerful. Dang.
Totema
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Pretty nice if you like the Fight mechanic.
N3wtn
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
That is some really great art.
OrphanerDualscar
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I really don't understand why the rating is as low as it is...
damnearkilliner
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Strictly better than rancor.
Lord_Skoonie
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@damnearkilliner: Rancor is nothing like Spirit Mantle. Rancor is a one drop Aura that gives something +2/+0 and Trample that you regain when the creature you cast this on dies. Spirit Mantle is a two drop Aura that gives +1/+1 and protection from creatures. Both are excellent cards, but you can't say one is strictly better than the other since the only thing they have in common is a subtype.
If you still want to argue that they can be compared, then remember that Rancor gives you card advantage, since it goes back to your hand unless your opponent wastes removal on it; it can be cast on anything without fear while the Mantle is best cast on Hexproof creatures.
DoctorGii
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Lord_Skoonie Rancor is still only safe to cast on a hexproof creature or when they have no mana open. If someone kills your creature in response to you casting Rancor, you lose Rancor. Sure, it's better than a standard aura by far, but Rancor isn't as hard to remove as many people think it is. And if you argue that they have to "waste" a removal spell to get rid of it, the same thing applies to killing a creature enchanted with a standard aura like Spirit Mantle.
Comments (45)
One possible modification that could have improved it is to nix the +1/+1 or, as someone suggested, make it -1/-1 and add "When enchanted creature dies, draw a card." which is in no way out of white's color (and it would be a nice, nonbroken throwback to Skullclamp). You could even go as far as "leaves play" but doesn't really matter, it's all theoretical anyways.
Win/win.
This in a set with hexproof will be a beast in limited. There must be a way to make it work in a constructed deck. Great for offense or defense.
White needs more cards like this. I always felt that the point of white was to have pretty uninspiring creatures (from a value for mana standpoint) but to have the ability to make those creatures absolutely devasting with instant boosts and enchantments. Between this and Angelic Destiny, I think we're on the right track. Now all we need is a reprint of Flickering Ward, probably the best aura ever printed.
Not to mention that this combos well with anything that abuses enchantments. Evershrike anyone?
@TwoStars
I don't think that combo would work (or rather, they wouldn't combo at all). Lure forces the defending player to assign all his/ her available creatures to block the Lure-d (attacking) creature. The creature protection granted by Spirit Mantle doesn't allow any blockers to be assigned to the enchanted creature, which would leave the defending player free to assign blockers as s/he wishes. So the effect of Spirit Mantle causes the effect of Lure to, well, be ineffective.
EDIT: Wait... I don`t remember writing this at all. Though, Exelia is correct.
Since it worked so well in pre-release, I decided to test it out in my vintage G/W/U enchantment deck -- it's FANTASTIC. The +1/+1 and lower casting cost make it much more viable than Unquestioned Authority, which never made the cut. Now my four Kor Spiritdancer can enjoy Rancor, Spirit Loop and this. 4.0/5, for sure.
4/5
Better find a way to give whatever this is equipped to shroud or hexproof (or just equip it to something with hexproof), because anything that has this that can still be targeted is going to eat a kill spell really soon.
4.5 out of 5 for having the potential to cause more moans and groans from your opponent that nost any other aura you can throw down, but for simultaneously making whatever to play it on the biggest target on the board.
I know there are loopholes and everything like that but at least it's a start. Without the help of Phytohydra or Stuffy Doll, this is my alternative help for Pariah.
If you still want to argue that they can be compared, then remember that Rancor gives you card advantage, since it goes back to your hand unless your opponent wastes removal on it; it can be cast on anything without fear while the Mantle is best cast on Hexproof creatures.
Rancor is still only safe to cast on a hexproof creature or when they have no mana open. If someone kills your creature in response to you casting Rancor, you lose Rancor. Sure, it's better than a standard aura by far, but Rancor isn't as hard to remove as many people think it is. And if you argue that they have to "waste" a removal spell to get rid of it, the same thing applies to killing a creature enchanted with a standard aura like Spirit Mantle.
How about Blightsteel Colossus? instant kill?