People forget that low-drops aren't just cards you can play earlier, they're cards you can cast on later turns while keeping mana open for a Cloudshift, a Cancel, a Titanic Growth, even.
4/5
God_Of_The_Smurfs
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I legitimately have no idea what to think of this card. It can't go toe-to-toe with delver, so I doubt it'll see any play in standard. Formats like legacy and modern are also relatively closed, and a card like this, which is obviously not overpowered, is not really going to find it's way into either of those environments. On the other hand, I also have a sneaking suspicion that It's deceptively good. Only time will tell, I guess.
WarioMan
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
This card's abilities are sexy as hell. She's a cheap beatstick that you can slap equipments on. During the Mirran swords last breath in standard, this should be a cool little creature to slap some of them on.
bowlofgumbo
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(10 votes)
Core set of awesome reprints is right! "Welcome Back!" is the motto of M13
SgtSwaggr
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Assemble the Avengers!
SkyknightXi
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
No, she can't be cast until the fourth turn. Thing is, there's no limit to how many you can cast in a turn. So, there's nothing stopping you from sending two of these out once you hit turn four...(Hope you have something like Fervor out, though...)
LordOfTheFlies87
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Great reprint.
Cyberium
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Cards like Aether Vial can avoid the restriction.
__Silence__
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(8 votes)
Note it says you cannot play it on YOUR first second or third turns. So why don't you play white/blue with leyline of anticipation and play it on THEIR second turn.
LordBubbles
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
curious condition, but no compliant about the card itself.
PinkMage
★☆☆☆☆ (1.6/5.0)(4 votes)
This card is overrated. It's true, on turn 4 you can put down two of these for 6 damage on turn 4. However, in today's standard she has little to no use and does not replace current turn 4 or even turn 3 cards in standard today.
for example, in a white deck she is going over a slot for elite inquisitor or Thalia. Which are both much better cards and come out on turn 2 instead of 4. Another problem with this card is that you are spending mana to drop a 3/3 on turn 4 that has nothing useful at that point in the game. She literally is competing for a drop on the same turn as sublime archangel and hero of bladehold.
Maybe 3-4 years ago this card would have been very good, however, today's magic is a game that prints overpowered low-cost cards and games don't go past turn 5 in most situations (notice i said most, the game can and will last beyond that on occasion, but not enough to warrant considering in any competent game of tournament standard). In a game of friendly casual magic, she will see as much play as platinum angel and is about as useful as well.
JasonPaul601
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A good card back in the day, but I don't know if she's playable in the current standard. The power creep has not been kind to her at all.
I mean, why play a 3/3 flyer with vigilance on turn four when you can get a 3/2 flyer as early as turn two (and attacking on that turn, no less)?
Salient
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(3 votes)
"Welcome Back!" is the motto of M13
Yep. Ultimate fanservice. It's a very good sign.
Zokorad
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(3 votes)
So sexy cute
don_miguel
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
serra the planeswalker in ravnica?
Hermeezey
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Well... this screws up my Mana Curve. I MUST HAVE IT.
Lotsofpoopy
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This card is full of value and I like value because I am a pro.
rollinsclone
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's amazing how different this card would have been if it had been 4 mana instead of having the restriction. But as it stands it's more than twice as good with its current form. I've won several casual games with only her on the board, so give her a shot.
ravenclaw567
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I pulled one at the pre-release, and was a staple in my WU creature deck. In epic and flavorful moment, I had an Serra Angel on the field with a few weenies. My opponent O-rings serra angel and passes the turn, I then play this and I preceded to beat back his assault and eventually break the o-ring and kill him. we both agreed that it was epic.
Dabok
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Arghh! My friend got this and Sublime Archangel when he bought a couple of boosters. He doesn't even have a white weenie deck to use those but won't trade it to me because they're awesome, oh well :(
TastetheJace
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Looks like they sacrificed the flavor text (which gives insight on the card's mechanics and character) of the original to explain vigilance since it's a core set. Naturally, I'd rather have the original.
Banekiller
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@ jasonpaul601
why not do both? Azorius is very popular right now. Besides, It isn't always just about when they come out, cause in the end, you can actually place two of these on turn four. And that vigilance is extremely useful. Besides, the chances of you getting that 3/2 by turn two is extremely slim, whereas if you pull this card, it's generally guaranteed that it will be out on turn four. In addition, you are likely to be playing other things up to when you place this card, otherwise you are screwed anyway. She is a great card to play, even on turn 10 (though at that point there are probably better moves).
@ everyone
Though Avenger can't be placed immediately, she is still a fantastic card, given that, though she cant come out until turn four, she still only costs 2 white, which frees the other 2 mana for other things that you can place. Finally, her vigilance. Vigilance is a fantastic ability, and there is no disputing that. As your sole creature, she can swing over defenses with her flying, and still be able to hold back tough creatures with her 3/3. All in All, a great card, playable even in standard.
5/5
hot4boys
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(4 votes)
THE LE REDDIT MEME ARMY LEEJUN LOVES THIS CARD! 5 STARS IF YOU AGREE LOL XD!
RougeH
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Use in extort for even more value.
Gheridarigaaz
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
People argue that this is overshadowed by a lot of other cards in standard atm... true, but considering you'll probably cast this, leave mana open for something, maybe extort, or think twice, or spell rupture. Which imo, keeps the card's value relatively high in game when she's on the field. I keep forgetting she's got vigilance too
But then again... i see this and think... here's another way æther vial can be broken...
patronofthesound
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Surprised they reprinted a card with such a wanky time spirally mechanic, specially in a core. Cool, but see obzedat and thragsuck for turn 4-5 in standard.
Edit: that third karn oracle clause is lol. Anti-synergy with shaharazad.
JimmyNoobPlayer
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
After the collapse of the Guild Pact, an angel who has known nothing but war lives by the mantra of vigilantly protecting lives. But as the world is further corrupted by the Orzhov Syndicate, the only path that leads her forward may be to extort for two on turn four. SERRA RISING: AVENGEANCE.
delta474
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Bad card. Since it can't be played the second turn, it doesn't properly fit the mana curve.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Ability is hardly a drawback, turn 4 just play 2 of these suckers.
Comments (31)
What an awesome card.
1) Forest -> Avacyn's Pilgrim
2) Plains -> Harrow for two more plains
3) Plains -> Serra Angel / Shepherd of the Lost
4) Plains -> Serra Avenger x3
Often followed by a Goldnight Redeemer, or possibly a Deathless Angel
People forget that low-drops aren't just cards you can play earlier, they're cards you can cast on later turns while keeping mana open for a Cloudshift, a Cancel, a Titanic Growth, even.
4/5
On the other hand, I also have a sneaking suspicion that It's deceptively good.
Only time will tell, I guess.
for example, in a white deck she is going over a slot for elite inquisitor or Thalia. Which are both much better cards and come out on turn 2 instead of 4. Another problem with this card is that you are spending mana to drop a 3/3 on turn 4 that has nothing useful at that point in the game. She literally is competing for a drop on the same turn as sublime archangel and hero of bladehold.
Maybe 3-4 years ago this card would have been very good, however, today's magic is a game that prints overpowered low-cost cards and games don't go past turn 5 in most situations (notice i said most, the game can and will last beyond that on occasion, but not enough to warrant considering in any competent game of tournament standard). In a game of friendly casual magic, she will see as much play as platinum angel and is about as useful as well.
I mean, why play a 3/3 flyer with vigilance on turn four when you can get a 3/2 flyer as early as turn two (and attacking on that turn, no less)?
Yep. Ultimate fanservice. It's a very good sign.
He doesn't even have a white weenie deck to use those but won't trade it to me because they're awesome, oh well :(
why not do both? Azorius is very popular right now.
Besides, It isn't always just about when they come out, cause in the end, you can actually place two of these on turn four. And that vigilance is extremely useful. Besides, the chances of you getting that 3/2 by turn two is extremely slim, whereas if you pull this card, it's generally guaranteed that it will be out on turn four. In addition, you are likely to be playing other things up to when you place this card, otherwise you are screwed anyway. She is a great card to play, even on turn 10 (though at that point there are probably better moves).
@ everyone
Though Avenger can't be placed immediately, she is still a fantastic card, given that, though she cant come out until turn four, she still only costs 2 white, which frees the other 2 mana for other things that you can place.
Finally, her vigilance. Vigilance is a fantastic ability, and there is no disputing that. As your sole creature, she can swing over defenses with her flying, and still be able to hold back tough creatures with her 3/3.
All in All, a great card, playable even in standard.
5/5
But then again... i see this and think... here's another way æther vial can be broken...
Edit: that third karn oracle clause is lol. Anti-synergy with shaharazad.