Definitely an underrated card, it requires two hits by removal or blocking to take out permanently, and even if you lose both the angel and the cleric, you can still get the angel back with a second copy
Dabok
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(9 votes)
I agree with Superllama12 in this one, but I do want to say that this could have passed at rare, and no one would have complained...
lorendorky
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(4 votes)
This art seems mighty similar to Reiver Demon. Orzhovs' use of gold really really shines on multicolored cards.
CammyWhite
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(8 votes)
No matter if its playable or not, the art is absolutely amazing. Stunning piece by Jason Chan
Amurica
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(3 votes)
5 stars simply for the art
Redgurr
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(3 votes)
When I first saw this art in the Planeswalker guide to Orzhov I was soo excited that W/B was getting another angel card. Then when it was spoiled, I was pretty sad at how clunky it is.
Really? Would it have been asking to much to have cards with jaw-dropping art get decent abilities? Well at least casual players get a cheap affordable mythic to play with.
j_mindfingerpainter
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
UGH WHAT A WASTE OF A MYTHIC. I don't care if they can't make everything overpowered; I don't want them to. What I do want is for mythics to have mythic abilities, not produce a bad Rise from the Grave on a token!
Normally I don't hate cards, but I really, really wanted Orzhov to be good this set. Honestly, I'd pay {3}{W}{B}{B} to exile it from my own graveyard!
Arachibutyrophobia
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
the only problem with this card is that for all its good qualities, it doesn't actually do anything. it just flies around beating your opponents.
SyntheticDreamer
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(4 votes)
Jason Chan is amazing. This card...shouldn't be mythic. It's okay, but I'm not sure how useful this is. I'd rather play Obzedat, Ghost Council instead. It may not have flying, but it has more utility than this does.
SRSFACE
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(1 vote)
People forget that there's a "meh" mythic in every set, because statistically you're just as likely to draw any given mythic than you are any given rare. Stuff like this is to slow down people from drawing a bunch of, say, Aurelia's Fury.
Flyheight
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Such pretty art. 5/5 flying for 6 is perfectly reasonable in W/B, and I think her ability definitely pushes her into mythic status. Your opponent needs two CONSECUTIVE removal spells to deal with her or she just comes back. Granted, I do think the token could have done without the tap requirement and just have you pay mana, but it's still plenty strong.
Cyberium
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(6 votes)
One of the best art in the set, with her power fails to fit. 5/5 flyer for six cmc is very normal by today's standard, Deathpact Angel also requires two colors. The added ability is also difficult, because it requires the cleric to 'tap', which cannot be done while under summoning sickness. That tempo disadvantage is weakness enough.
Nevertheless, she is above average, just not a mythic level beater. People would feel less disappointed if she's a rare.
pedrodyl
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
You are all greatly underestimating the ability of this card. It's practically unkillable. Unless you merk both it and the token the first turn it is played, it's going to keep coming back. Consider it: if you play it, you automatically have enough mana to bring it back if it gets killed. If anyone even targets the cleric with malicious intent to you can just sac it in response. Plus the little guy can get back any Deathpact Angel from the grave. I gave it a 4.5/5
Roytaichou
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Why would you want to pay the mana to bring her back? People say she is hard to kill, but she requires you to drain your mana to bring here back when for five mana you could play Divinity of Pride which kicks this cards but.
Purplerooster
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Just found me a new populate target. That strategy is made valid when you have a deck around milling yourself.
LordOfTheFlies87
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Not super practical, but VERY cool design. Fancy token, too.
rollinsclone
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Mythics should hit the table with a bang. This hits the table with a "meh". 5/5 flyer for 6 is fine, and the ability to regenerate itself is better, but did it have to cost so freaking much to come back?
deserter
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(4 votes)
Maybe it's too early for some people to see why this card is Mythic Rare. Let me explain it: Deathpact Angel dies, you put a 1/1 white and black cleric creature token onto the battlefield with 3(W)(B)(B)(T) sacrifice this creature: Return a card named Deathpact Angel from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Ok, say turn 6 I cast Deathpact Angel. Opponent is tapped out or otherwise can't kill it on my turn. I attack etc and end my turn. Opponents turn he destroys it with a removal spell and I put the token as a result of my Deathpact Angel's "dies" ability. My turn again, and every other turn after that if that token is alive I can have a Deathpact Angel (5/5 flyer) at instant speed (flash). Yes it would still need 6 total mana but this is nowhere near the effect of Rise from the Grave. This is instant speed, most times can't be countered and you don't use an extra card to be able to do it.
My rating: 5/5 Artwork: 5/5 Flavor: No flavor text on this art makes me sad
AngelicVamp
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(2 votes)
I love angels and seeing a new b/w angel is amazing and with great artwork. 5/5 from me. Maybe not too great for mythic mostly for expensive mana cost but still the only 6 drop mythic of Orzhov and powerful flyer, plus a cool cleric token when it dies hehe. And I don't know why people underrate this card so bad if you noticed this one isn't legendary creature, you can have 4 on them on the battlefield, just for that reason it falls under the category of mythic rare easily. The other 6mana drop angel that brings token is in Avacyn Restored set Voice of the Provinces and is just a 3/3 flyer which is mostly for white and pretty useless for 6cmc , while Deathpact Angel can easily be put in black decks also.
DarthParallax
★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)(2 votes)
It's got continuous Recursion. It's a 5/5 Flier. AND it allows you access to a Token. All these little things don't perfectly mean she's a Mythic by Standard standards.
Let's take a look at another Gatecrash Mythic, though, Gideon, Asskicker of Justice. Gideon's favorite home is obnoxiously clearly Commander, lol.
Deathpact Angel is not as obnoxiously pushed-into-ToonTown, but I think the form and manner of it's Recursion Mechanic is quite exploitable in Commander as well. It's fair to call this Mythic. :)
Goatllama
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(6 votes)
Kinda anime-esque, ye Angel Deathscythe. Giant scythe, pale skin, etc. Same wing positioning as Restoration Angel, strangely enough. This is pretty much Orzhov's take on Firemane Angel, though it's more fairly priced (there's irony, here) in resurrection.
Gcrudaplaneswalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
To be honest, I wish the token at least had haste, but that wouldn't be agreeable flavorwise for Orzhov... Nonetheless, I would love to see this in my Limited pool.
Coralus
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The idea that it is a 5/5 actually sorta ruins this for me, because of the greater prevalence of selesnya charm But! If your creature tokens have +1/+1, and you have a heartless summoning, you get a 4/4 flyer for 4, that costs 6 and a tap to reanimate... This isn't sounding much better, actually...
EmptyMirage
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I will definitely put her in a casual Orzhov themed deck. That being said, I'm saddened they didn't give her something other than flying. I think if both her and her token got hexproof, she'll feel a lot more mythic.
Taudisban
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
I sort of feel like people are looking at this card the wrong way. Orzhov in this set is supposed to feel very grindy and drawn out. Constant recursion in a deck that is mostly just trying to deplete an opponent's resources is incredibly rough. The inevitability of this angel killing you is very Orzhovian and screams at the opponent to deplete their resources on her.
Any card with this much flavor deserves either legendary or mythic status.
Yozuk
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(8 votes)
Its just one ability away from being awesome. Was lifelink or deathtouch really too much?
ToAsTy42o
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
you know what would have made this a mythic? instead of that entire token thing: "When Deathpact Angel angel enters the battlefield, target opponent loses 10 life, and you gain 10 life. When Deathpact Angel leaves the battlefield, you lose 10 life, and target opponent gains 10 life."
DEATHPACT, GET IT!?
godamnit wizards, this card could have been sooooooo much cooler.
MithosFall
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(3 votes)
Ravnica is my favourite plane. I first joined Magic when the first came out back in 2006. The first, original Ravnica block was great. Had awesome cards and was just overall fun to play with. But what R&D has done to Ravnica this time around, it just upsets me. There are three types of cards about this block that frustrate me to no end.
1: Inefficient designs. The first Ravnica block had some inefficient cards, but they were usually commons or uncommons. This block has some horribly overpriced and underpowered cards. They don't have to be at Scars of Mirrodin level, dialing it back to Alara level would be perfectly fine and I'd be happy!
2: Unoriginal concepts. There are so many cards in RTR that take their inspiration from other cards. I mean, are you really running that fast out of ideas, R&D?
3: Unmemorable cards. There are a couple, like Deathrite Shaman, but largely, this set is highly forgettable. Bland designs and reused concepts make for some cards that'll be lost into Magic's history.
Maybe I'm judging this block too early, but goddamn. We're 4/5ths the way through seeing all of RTR's cards (since Dragon's Maze is a small set). I'm really hoping that there are some unforgettable cards in Dragon's Maze or else this block will just leave a nasty taste in my mouth.
majinara
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Nice idea and flavor and everything. Still, it's not that great. A 5/5 multicolor flyer for six mana is not that great. The average rare dragon is a 6/6 flyer for six mana with a powerful ability. I think, they should have given this guy protection from black and white, or some other keyword abilities, and remove the mana cost from the activated ability of the token. The opponent has then still one turn time to either exile the angel from the graveyard or kill the 1/1 token. But like this... 2.5/5
JRE47
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I really only see this being good with populate or something that can take advantage of the token. As is...well, I'd rather have ol' Angelic Overseer.
This will find a home in decks, no doubt. But as many others have said, it's a shame it's taking up a Mythic spot.
JarieSuicune
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Funny to hear Return being bashed so much when: Ravnica is the ONE SET that everyone kept bashing every other set against. When suddenly: Look! They're too similar; taking ideas from other cards! ... ... ... really? Are you lot really that unthinking? OF COURSE they'd take from other cards! They're a continuation of a past set! What did you want? (Not) Return to Ravnica? Did you expect everything to be so changed that the only thing "Ravnica" about it was the mere existence of the guilds?
This card is a great card! How many creatures have an efficient way to bring themselves back for no more than their own casting cost? Hers even gives you a creature to fill her space, as meager as a 1/1 is.
Deathpact... HER deathpact. Duh. That's why she doesn't stay dead! "What, really?" ... DUH.(Was that really such a difficult idea for you guys?)
Not worth Mythic? Bah. You people have come up with your OWN idea of what "Standard" is, and you're much worse at it than you think.
If anyone dislikes anime-style, sucks to be them. I rather enjoyed getting my Anime Chandra, and she's a prize of my collection. If only we had more cards that got special (Japanese-only) releases like that...
psychichobo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
I'm liking anime style cards now. I was initially worried (Anime Chandra is GOD AWFUL for being some cutesy desu maid-lover's wet dream) but stuff like this is pretty good - not over the top, just spot on.
It's not mythic though. The ability is too awkward for that, there's no genuine intimidation or 'oomph' factor in this. Can't complain though.
BongRipper420
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I cannot express how badly I wish this card was constructed playable. It's art is just too cool.
And Yozuk is right, this really is just one keyword away from being completely awesome. If it had death touch, lifelink or vigilance, this card would've been completely sweet and/or felt a lot more mythic. As it is now, it's cool, but that's pretty much it.
SkyyValentine
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Should have had lifelink and the priest should have been "Tap, pay 5 life, sacrifice this creature: Return a card named Deathpact Angel from your graveyard to the battlefield." Would have made her better and far more Orzhov-y.
FIAmagic
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I would have given it a higher rate if the token didn't need to tap to sacrifice itself. Unfortunately not.
The closest comparison we have is Sengir Nosferatu. While the angel is better against destroy-based mass removals, she is bad against exile and still dies to two target removals.
1/5 from me. I won't refrain from calling the bad mythic of Gatecrash.
BlueBodies
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(3 votes)
This art is some of the greatest in all of Magic. It deserved a playable card. The token is too fragile, even with populate.
Blitz_Hammer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Why does the cleric token have no race?
Hashbeth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The Art is incredible, the card is mediocre. It would have been fine as a rare, or, as many have said, needed some better abilities. That being said, it's the kind of card that players will buy just because it looks cool.
I view this card as a challenge. Wizards gives us a mediocre card that will be hard to put into many decks, but if you manage to pull it off, you're rewarded with a really cool looking card.
bloodsuck
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Personally I'd sac her and her token to give my fallen angel +4/+2 until end of turn. That way I'd be able to kill my opponent's hover barrier, which when you run stuff like this in your deck, is quite an accomplishment.
Specter_Fanatic13
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card makes me sad. While her art and flavor are amazing, I just don't think she's worth it. Six mana is very steep no matter how you slice it. Six mana in 2 colors is very, very steep. If she had another ability like deathtouch or lifelink I wouldn't care as much. Even then, you have to tap the cleric to bring her back and pay her full cost. That essentially means your "shut down" for two turns if your opponent kills her after she is summoned. Plus she has to die. Many removal spells could just as easily exile her or keep her detained/arrested so you can't get her back.
I love the art. I love the flavor. And I see the use in playing her. But for six mana, I could play Treasury Thrull or Merciless Eviction, both of which I feel do more for your position if you wanted to run the more expensive Orzhov rares. The Thrull can extort, is a solid if overcosted beater, and can bring back dead guys or enchantments to buff you creatures/stall the field. The eviction can permanently remove several different types of permanents. The angel provides a semi hard to kill beater, that is still vulnerable to a bevy of removal/stall options ,with no other really cool features.
Very well designed, but I won't use her that much. And I regret that heavily, because I love her.
OrgasmandTea
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Dat art. Card's below par for six mana mythics, but DAT ART. Deathtouch and Lifelink would have made this card. I mean, when you've printed Wurmcoil Engine in colourless, it's not like you actually care about balancing your mythics...
starbind69
★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Meh card, awesome art.
3.5/5
patronofthesound
★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Oozing with flavor, but I agree, not playable in the extremely quick metagame. Very vulnerable to the all too prolific exile effects, i.e d sphere, terminus...
I disagree that lifelink or a keyword would have made this playable. It is simply too gimmicky next to champs like geist and huntmaster. What this card needed was for the cleric's res ability to cost only the tap, screw repeating the whole cmc. Even then it probably would lose to obzedat.
I mean, i know card adv. is valuable, but come on.
3/5, flavor saves it
Enemy_Tricolor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I dunno. It seems like an interesting niche weapon for decks with a heavy reliance on sac effects.
Te@pot
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This doesn't die to abrupt decay or ultimate price... And is one less unburial rites. I think it will be good in ramp.
Frostraven
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
5/5 for art 2/5 for functionality
I don't rate cards for flavor, so:
2/5
It's the most disappointing mythic I have ever seen. In Gatecrash -- I pick Syndic of Tithes over this every single time.
Syndic of Tithes is a better black and a better white card than this.
Gravecrawler triggers Extort from the graveyard at the very least.
Smoke_Stack
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Good if you're triggering morbid I guess but I feel like there's cheaper ways of going about it. Could be playable with Cartel Aristocrat so if it gets an O ring thrown at it, you could just sac the angel. Pity that Orzhov's only good rare (Obzedat) costs $20.
Nagoragama
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
One of the few RTR "guild mythics" I think is worse than the original "guild rare" from Ravnica block.
Rancid_Raptor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Doesn't die to doom blade Dies to Storm crow
HowardTreesong
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
The token is just a little too fragile unfortunately when you don't have the mana open as ideally you want to sac it in response to something or end of your opponent's turn to get the big angel back. In standard, it's too big, costly and its main mechanic is a bit clunky. In limited, it's a 5/5 flyer with a mechanism to get it back, it's very strong.
SquiddyFish
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Hm. Not amazing, but I give 5/5 for art (as do many others). Jason Chan designs the best angels.
Luinar
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I built a ramp deck with other means to win the game. I use Deathpact Angel as a blocker. Shes great that way.
vantha
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Yozuk and some other reviewers were right when they said this card lacked just one more ability to make it playable. In white or black the ability should've been Lifelink or Deathtouch, sure she has evasion and is a 5/5, but most Rare angels are in that same category. Her replacement is a 1/1 cleric, in today's standard environment that P/T just doesn't hack it. Compare with Thragtusk who is an equally sized 5/3, nets you 5 life, and replaces itself with a 3/3 to boot. Oh yeah did we mention that he is 1 mana cheaper and a rare and easier to splash? Her recursion cost is her original casting cost, which is fair, but since she doesn't have Haste means you spent an entire turn to replay her and do nothing useful with your mana, while you opponent has open mana to either destroy, counter, or steal her from you.
This is truly a card with amazing art but the ability is very dysfunctional. I want to call it a Phoenix ability on an angel. But she really doesn't turn the game in your favor. The last part I want to state is if her Recursion cost was and made the Cleric tap instead of Sacrificing itself, then you might have a very solid Mythic.
raptorman333
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
from the older days, Angel of Despair. Kind of a downgrade. Especially now with all the cloudshift-type cards available in standard.
EvilDarkVoid
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
I feel like casting Angelic Destiny on the Cleric token. Bonus points if it then fights a Deathpact Angel and wins (thanks to the First Strike). Why die to resurrect an angel when you can be an angel, and a better one at that? Speaking of a better one, I feel like Angelic Destiny is for the most part a better card (not strictly better, but for the most part) which is sad because the implied flavor of this thing is really cool.
rabbimoshie
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I really don't think this card deserves all the hate it's getting. Just because she won't work for your style doesn't mean that there is no use for her. Most of my opponents have a hard time getting rid of her permanently, though exiling her works. She doesn't leave behind the token in that case. Even if she was just a 5/5 flyer for 6 she would still be worth playing. When she hits the battlefield, players tend to focus on getting rid of her and that takes resources that could be used to better purposes.
Shalinar
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@pedrodyl: In that scenario, she literally just becomes a 5/5 flier for 6 that has Upkeep 3WBB. When exiling is so prominent in the current standard (Fiend Hunter etc), her cleric token is useless. This card gives you virtually no advantages over your opponent (seeing as how any mythic they drop on turn 6 is probably going to be more useful than a 5/5 that does nothing but flies), until she is dead, which is usually not the best situation to be in when playing Orzhov.
Yes her cleric makes her relatively immune to non-exiling removal, but again, if your opponent can get rid of her with, say, a Renounce the Guilds, then you are forced to pay her expensive 3WBB again, if they had no way to deal an entire damage to the cleric (or simply remove the token as well), then she gives you no advantage because when you revive her you are not a turn ahead of where you were last turn. You are still stuck on your 6th turn with one extra mana whereas your opponent has advantage over you now because they have not spent their 7th turn repeating their last turn.
I love this card. It's my favorite card in this set simply because it is just so damn pretty. It is also my laptop background. But unfortunately that doesn't make the card good :( It is a rare-level card that is somewhat resistant to removal (although burn and exile both deal with her easily), nowhere near the power level of mythic status.
SAUS3
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I so badly wanted to use this card just because the art is so good, but it's just too weak. The concept is really cool, and has the potential to be good, but it should have costed less to get the angel back.
4/5 mostly because the art is just that good.
Tiggurix
★☆☆☆☆ (1.2/5.0)(2 votes)
I don't understand people's fascination with the artwork. It's obviously well made, yes, but the overdramatic pose and the ridiculousness of that scythe (seriously, that's not how a warscythe looks like: http://discoverthemiddleages.com/img/full/War%20Scythe%202.jpg) are both major turn-offs for me. Also, there's tonnes of other, better illustrations which demonstrate the same level of technical skill in Magic.
dubc0485
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Good with token deck
Kamishini
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Sadly, a lot of people are right. This card just... isn't that good. I mean, it's good, but it doesn't seem to live up to the Mythics standard that have been around for a while now.
Although, this is much more like what WotC promised it's Mythics would be, not standard changing cards, but flavorful, unique cards. At least, that I can remember.
It should have had lifelink, deathtouch, and/or the recursion should have been cheaper, like pay life, or pay less mana for it. But sadly, that didn't come to fruition...
Still, I'mma gonna put this in my EDH deck and see how it does. If the continual recursion is more promising there than in other formats.
Arachnos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
For this price, deserves to have an extra ability or two. Lifelink wouldn't have hurt.
Faelivri
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
5/5 flying that can eventually come back for that cost isn't terrible, but not worth a Mythic Rare. Rare would be fine. Deathtouch without changing rarity would be ideal.
David.O
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The mana cost could have been cheaper to bring back the angel on it's token, come on Wizards?! Make a card with great art at least a bit playable outside of casual.
Kanra777
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Wish it had deathtouch or lifelink or was a rare rather than a mythic rare. Oh well. 4/5 JUST, because of how much I like the art.
Comments (65)
Really? Would it have been asking to much to have cards with jaw-dropping art get decent abilities? Well at least casual players get a cheap affordable mythic to play with.
Normally I don't hate cards, but I really, really wanted Orzhov to be good this set. Honestly, I'd pay {3}{W}{B}{B} to exile it from my own graveyard!
Nevertheless, she is above average, just not a mythic level beater. People would feel less disappointed if she's a rare.
Let me explain it:
Deathpact Angel dies, you put a 1/1 white and black cleric creature token onto the battlefield with 3(W)(B)(B)(T) sacrifice this creature: Return a card named Deathpact Angel from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Ok, say turn 6 I cast Deathpact Angel.
Opponent is tapped out or otherwise can't kill it on my turn. I attack etc and end my turn.
Opponents turn he destroys it with a removal spell and I put the token as a result of my Deathpact Angel's "dies" ability.
My turn again, and every other turn after that if that token is alive I can have a Deathpact Angel (5/5 flyer) at instant speed (flash). Yes it would still need 6 total mana but this is nowhere near the effect of Rise from the Grave.
This is instant speed, most times can't be countered and you don't use an extra card to be able to do it.
My rating: 5/5
Artwork: 5/5
Flavor: No flavor text on this art makes me sad
Let's take a look at another Gatecrash Mythic, though, Gideon, Asskicker of Justice.
Gideon's favorite home is obnoxiously clearly Commander, lol.
Deathpact Angel is not as obnoxiously pushed-into-ToonTown, but I think the form and manner of it's Recursion Mechanic is quite exploitable in Commander as well. It's fair to call this Mythic. :)
Any card with this much flavor deserves either legendary or mythic status.
"When Deathpact Angel angel enters the battlefield, target opponent loses 10 life, and you gain 10 life. When Deathpact Angel leaves the battlefield, you lose 10 life, and target opponent gains 10 life."
DEATHPACT, GET IT!?
godamnit wizards, this card could have been sooooooo much cooler.
1: Inefficient designs. The first Ravnica block had some inefficient cards, but they were usually commons or uncommons. This block has some horribly overpriced and underpowered cards. They don't have to be at Scars of Mirrodin level, dialing it back to Alara level would be perfectly fine and I'd be happy!
2: Unoriginal concepts. There are so many cards in RTR that take their inspiration from other cards. I mean, are you really running that fast out of ideas, R&D?
3: Unmemorable cards. There are a couple, like Deathrite Shaman, but largely, this set is highly forgettable. Bland designs and reused concepts make for some cards that'll be lost into Magic's history.
Maybe I'm judging this block too early, but goddamn. We're 4/5ths the way through seeing all of RTR's cards (since Dragon's Maze is a small set). I'm really hoping that there are some unforgettable cards in Dragon's Maze or else this block will just leave a nasty taste in my mouth.
This will find a home in decks, no doubt. But as many others have said, it's a shame it's taking up a Mythic spot.
This card is a great card! How many creatures have an efficient way to bring themselves back for no more than their own casting cost? Hers even gives you a creature to fill her space, as meager as a 1/1 is.
Deathpact... HER deathpact. Duh. That's why she doesn't stay dead! "What, really?" ... DUH.(Was that really such a difficult idea for you guys?)
Not worth Mythic? Bah. You people have come up with your OWN idea of what "Standard" is, and you're much worse at it than you think.
If anyone dislikes anime-style, sucks to be them. I rather enjoyed getting my Anime Chandra, and she's a prize of my collection. If only we had more cards that got special (Japanese-only) releases like that...
It's not mythic though. The ability is too awkward for that, there's no genuine intimidation or 'oomph' factor in this. Can't complain though.
And Yozuk is right, this really is just one keyword away from being completely awesome. If it had death touch, lifelink or vigilance, this card would've been completely sweet and/or felt a lot more mythic. As it is now, it's cool, but that's pretty much it.
The closest comparison we have is Sengir Nosferatu. While the angel is better against destroy-based mass removals, she is bad against exile and still dies to two target removals.
1/5 from me. I won't refrain from calling the bad mythic of Gatecrash.
I view this card as a challenge. Wizards gives us a mediocre card that will be hard to put into many decks, but if you manage to pull it off, you're rewarded with a really cool looking card.
I love the art. I love the flavor. And I see the use in playing her. But for six mana, I could play Treasury Thrull or Merciless Eviction, both of which I feel do more for your position if you wanted to run the more expensive Orzhov rares. The Thrull can extort, is a solid if overcosted beater, and can bring back dead guys or enchantments to buff you creatures/stall the field. The eviction can permanently remove several different types of permanents. The angel provides a semi hard to kill beater, that is still vulnerable to a bevy of removal/stall options ,with no other really cool features.
Very well designed, but I won't use her that much. And I regret that heavily, because I love her.
3.5/5
I disagree that lifelink or a keyword would have made this playable. It is simply too gimmicky next to champs like geist and huntmaster. What this card needed was for the cleric's res ability to cost only the tap, screw repeating the whole cmc. Even then it probably would lose to obzedat.
I mean, i know card adv. is valuable, but come on.
3/5, flavor saves it
2/5 for functionality
I don't rate cards for flavor, so:
2/5
It's the most disappointing mythic I have ever seen.
In Gatecrash -- I pick Syndic of Tithes over this every single time.
Syndic of Tithes is a better black and a better white card than this.
Gravecrawler triggers Extort from the graveyard at the very least.
Dies to Storm crow
This is truly a card with amazing art but the ability is very dysfunctional. I want to call it a Phoenix ability on an angel. But she really doesn't turn the game in your favor. The last part I want to state is if her Recursion cost was
Yes her cleric makes her relatively immune to non-exiling removal, but again, if your opponent can get rid of her with, say, a Renounce the Guilds, then you are forced to pay her expensive 3WBB again, if they had no way to deal an entire damage to the cleric (or simply remove the token as well), then she gives you no advantage because when you revive her you are not a turn ahead of where you were last turn. You are still stuck on your 6th turn with one extra mana whereas your opponent has advantage over you now because they have not spent their 7th turn repeating their last turn.
I love this card. It's my favorite card in this set simply because it is just so damn pretty. It is also my laptop background. But unfortunately that doesn't make the card good :( It is a rare-level card that is somewhat resistant to removal (although burn and exile both deal with her easily), nowhere near the power level of mythic status.
4/5 mostly because the art is just that good.
Although, this is much more like what WotC promised it's Mythics would be, not standard changing cards, but flavorful, unique cards. At least, that I can remember.
It should have had lifelink, deathtouch, and/or the recursion should have been cheaper, like pay life, or pay less mana for it. But sadly, that didn't come to fruition...
Still, I'mma gonna put this in my EDH deck and see how it does. If the continual recursion is more promising there than in other formats.