I think it is pretty situational for an angel or changeling deck.
IMO I think that an effective tribal (angel) should give some other benefits, maybe a reduced mana cost or tutoring (Like Eye of Uging).
lorendorky
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(4 votes)
I suppose you could draft a bunch of these and some angels and flicker them :/
Trygon_Predator
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(4 votes)
It doesn't ETB tapped, which is a mercy.
majinara
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(4 votes)
I guess it's playable in mono white decks, since there you don't mind a few lands producing colorless mana.
Mode
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
It's some sort of Soul Warden as part of your manabase that only triggers with your Angels. Most of all, it does not enter tapped. In a monocolored Angel deck this doesn't seem bad at all actually.
This card seems a bit underestimated as of now, since triggered abilities that profit from lifegain can get pretty powerful when you profit from them without any card disadvantage. (I'm thinking of cards like Ajani's Pridemate and Well of Lost Dreams. The former makes a good early drop for your costy tribe, the latter provides card advantage by paying more for each Angel - or just by playing the land) Last but not least, this might give you just the time you need to survive against an aggro deck.
It begs to be included in an Angel tribal deck. Though, I'm not entirely sure building an Angel tribal deck is a good idea.
Frostraven
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(6 votes)
So, let me guess. The demon version of this card would be the following: When Demon Pits enter the battlefield, you lose 1 life. Whenever a demon enters the battlefield under your control, you lose 1 life.
Tap, pay 1 life: Add one colorless mana to your mana pool. Spend only this mana to cast Demon spells.
Whenever a demon dies, you lose 1 life.
Sacrifice a demon, pay 1 life: You lose 1 life.
... Sounds about right.
Angels > Demons
Narim
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Well, it may seem mediocre at best, but it has its uses... it's much more playable since it requires angels just to enter the battlefield, not to cast them. It seems that deck using Entreat the Angels, Luminarch Ascension and maybe Ajani's Pridemate and some damage prevention may like it.
blindthrall
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(5 votes)
@Frostraven: "If this land is destroyed, punch yourself in the face."
Lash_of_Dragonbreath
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
You know, for an utility land at common, this is pretty good. Compare to some older lands, which couldn't even tap for mana. Also, potential combo piece with Twilight Shepherd + Juniper Order Ranger + any sac outlet.
DacenOctavio
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The Refuge cycle saw play in conjunction with Ajani's Pridemate. This, by not coming in to play tapped, has applications with Well of Lost Dreams.
Jimmy_Rustles
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
These go well with myAlchemist's Refuge and Ange'ls Tomb
Morgaledh
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Why not run 4 of these in an angel deck? Great card if it's what you need.
wholelottalove
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is so situational that it's pretty bad. You could use Conspiracy to make everything in your deck an angel but gaining one life isn't worth the trouble of fixing you deck like that.
Hunter06
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you have the space and a few angels this can be nice, but it is certanly not build around worthy. 2.5/5 Stars
Really too bad there isn't a demon version of this. Maybe: When The Pit enters the battlefield, each player loses 1 life. Whenever a Demon enters the battlefield (any player!) each player loses 1 life.
The fact it hits both players does a few things. It makes it less abusable (since losing life is a win con and gaining usually isn't.) It makes it a drawback (so in flavor with demons) and it feels like the opposite: Angels benefit just you, demons hurt everyone.
Plus, I wouldn't mind for them to have a "The Pit" land to allow us demon-tribal idiots to make *mega* themed decks.
Prognox
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So this and Archangel of Thune for some instant +1/+1 counters and life. If Herald of War's on the field, even better. Multiple Sanctuaries trigger separately, so additional counters for each one. So it's better than okay for now, correct?
SerGarlan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Why all the hate for this card? I mean yes, this card is situational, but one doesn't downvote an elf because it combos only in elf decks.
I use four of these in my Green/White Angel Enchantment deck. They're essentially soul sisters in land form, and stall the game long enough to get those hefty 5 cmc and up angels in play before your enemy widdles you down. Just when you think you've lost, you start playing creatures and the tide literally turns. Ride of the Valkyries plays through the rafters as you're literally saved by angels.
Comments (21)
IMO I think that an effective tribal (angel) should give some other benefits, maybe a reduced mana cost or tutoring (Like Eye of Uging).
Most of all, it does not enter tapped. In a monocolored Angel deck this doesn't seem bad at all actually.
This card seems a bit underestimated as of now, since triggered abilities that profit from lifegain can get pretty powerful when you profit from them without any card disadvantage. (I'm thinking of cards like Ajani's Pridemate and Well of Lost Dreams. The former makes a good early drop for your costy tribe, the latter provides card advantage by paying
Last but not least, this might give you just the time you need to survive against an aggro deck.
The demon version of this card would be the following:
When Demon Pits enter the battlefield, you lose 1 life.
Whenever a demon enters the battlefield under your control, you lose 1 life.
Tap, pay 1 life: Add one colorless mana to your mana pool.
Spend only this mana to cast Demon spells.
Whenever a demon dies, you lose 1 life.
Sacrifice a demon, pay 1 life: You lose 1 life.
...
Sounds about right.
Angels > Demons
Also, potential combo piece with Twilight Shepherd + Juniper Order Ranger + any sac outlet.
2.5/5 Stars
Someone could use it in a combo like soul conduit and platinum angel, or phyrexian unlife.
When The Pit enters the battlefield, each player loses 1 life.
Whenever a Demon enters the battlefield (any player!) each player loses 1 life.
The fact it hits both players does a few things. It makes it less abusable (since losing life is a win con and gaining usually isn't.) It makes it a drawback (so in flavor with demons) and it feels like the opposite: Angels benefit just you, demons hurt everyone.
Plus, I wouldn't mind for them to have a "The Pit" land to allow us demon-tribal idiots to make *mega* themed decks.
I mean yes, this card is situational, but one doesn't downvote an elf because it combos only in elf decks.
I use four of these in my Green/White Angel Enchantment deck. They're essentially soul sisters in land form, and stall the game long enough to get those hefty 5 cmc and up angels in play before your enemy widdles you down. Just when you think you've lost, you start playing creatures and the tide literally turns.
Ride of the Valkyries plays through the rafters as you're literally saved by angels.
A great utility land for Angel decks. 4/5 stars