A solid rare! Too bad she isn't guilded, otherwise I'm sure this is the kind of rare that would have been great in intro packs. This is one of those cards that attracts new players like crazy and make them want to build their deck around it. As a guy who likes introducing people to magic, I approve of cards like this : balanced and breeds ideas/inspiration to new players.
lorendorky
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
This would be especially good comboed with Aurelia, the Warleader but what creature wouldn't?
Kryptnyt
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Switchblade Bomb Angel of Justice! I like the multiple functions.
Cyberium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Very tactical, allow you to choose an ability best suited for your situation, first strike against enemy defense, vigilance to remain balanced, or lifelink to regain your ground.
Purplerooster
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(6 votes)
Goal: Find a situation where it is beneficial to choose vigilance when you are on defense.
Roytaichou
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(7 votes)
Finally they did a remake of Gabriel Angelfire
SyntheticDreamer
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Absolute Limited dynamite. Easy first pick in a draft. This might see some Constructed use because that combat ability is extremely useful.
rollinsclone
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Massive bomb in limited. Seems like it could also be a ton of fun in Commander.
DarthParallax
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.6/5.0)(4 votes)
LoL, and Kaalia keeps getting Stupider and Stupider. I DO believe Wizards intends to make Kaalia's Deck playable entirely without Non-Creature Spells. Just Lands, and the occasional Artifact or Planeswalker. Maybe they will even make a "Black Lotus Demon" that serves as your "Mana Artifact" and get rid of Artifacts from her deck as well o.O xD Possibly not even Planeswalkers, though. xD Do not be surprised if you discover Gatherer has a Demon that can replace Liliana's Ultimate one of these days....o.O
RedJaron
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@lorendorky Add Cloudshift to that for extra fun. Figure out a way to repeatedly flicker Aurelia and it just gets mean.
chrome_dome
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(2 votes)
4.5/5. Let's see here: A 4/4 flyer for 6 that gives your creatures first strike, vigilance , or lifelink. Great in all formats.
RealmRPGer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Note that if you can pull off a second combat phase, you can give your creatures a second ability on top of the first.
psychichobo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Darthparallax: Kaalia's colours mean she has access to most of the things you could ever need in EDH, so it's not really a surprise. In all fairness you might want to not rely on her ability to get creatures to give abilities to your other stuff since it's putting a lot of strain on the poor gal, and this girl's ability doesn't kick in straightaway either. An enchantment or other permanent could be more useful.
Anyways, it upsets me that this isn't a male angel, as a homage to Gabriel Angelfire like Roytaichou said. She does look like every other angel ever, they could've at least tried something with the art.
Stupidly good ability though. Wouldn't complain if I had one on the field!
TPmanW
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Why is this rated less than 3.5? Trust me she is a bomb. *Remember her ability activates during opponents' combat phases too. First strike is good on anybody's turn.
Mike-C
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Put this in your Alms Beast deck.. WAIT. Why do you have an Alms Beast Deck??! Haha.. Any whoo.. It's pretty decent if "option" is your thing.
ekann123
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Works well with Aurelia, the Warleader.
On your 1st combat phase, choose either lifelink or first strike, whatever is better in the situation. 2nd combat phase, choose vigilence so you creatures stay untapped. Next turn, on their combat phase choose first strike so your creatures don't die as much. Fun!
The_Trendkill
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
A fun throwback to Concerted Effort. This one doesn't look like it has any crazy things you can do with it, like how you can grant all of your creatures Akroma and Progenitus' abilities with the old enchantment. Instead, this angel is much better all on its own. It makes combat very tough for your opponent to win, especially since it activates during every combat step, including your opponent's. Vigilance on your turn lets you attack and still leave blockers, and then first strike or lifelink makes combat unfavorable for your opponent on their turn. Pretty much a bomb rare in limited, 1st-pick material.
noobmag1
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I like her. Vigilance for your attack, First Strike for defense. I've had the most luck with her in , where you can easily get her out turn 4.
4/5 for being a solid card that's fair.
HowardTreesong
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Bomb in limited, it's adaptability to each combat puts your opponent under huge pressure. Take 'vigilance' in your attacking turn, then choose 'first strike' in their attack phase. In standard, a bit slow I imagine.
DeliciousFish
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
@Purplerooster When you are playing against Infect!
Tivoko
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A powerhouse in limited and very fun around the kitchen table. While not very good in a tournament deck (at the moment anyways) she's still powerful and her price (currently) is very affordable for any angel collectors out there.
I adore the artwork on this card, one of the few I can say this about in the modern era of Magic.
All in all I'd say this is a solid rare. Not game breaking, and not a slouch either.
4.5/5
Arachnos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Almost strictly better than Gabriel Angelfire, but apparently still not good enough to reach 4 stars.
Psychrates
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Yep, it's a Gabriel Angelfire remake. GA was the worst Legend of the Legends set. This card is better by leaps and bounds. Still not sure I would use it.
LordRandomness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So...telepathically lift the soldiers up and swing them at the enemy?
thoughtsinknots
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
She's like a mini Akroma's Memorial. Definitely an all star in the right deck.
ellroyo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Personal experience from a casual new player with this card is that it's an incredibly frustrating game ruiner. Myself and my group of friends that play have made it illegal. If its ability applied only to itself then I could see why it would be considered balanced but passing on to all creatures is just ridiculous.
0.5/5 for us
SAUS3
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@ellroyo Wow that's really harsh. Even in a casual environment, you can beat a card like this by just playing more cards that kill things. It is casual though so play how you want to play. I wouldn't have thought that this card would be one casual players hate though.
Continue
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A Limited nightmare. Vigilance on the attack, first strike or lifelink while blocking... for everything. She should be a snap first pick no matter what, even if you weren't in white for Dragon's Maze. You will be after you pick this.
I love it, it gives you such solid defense&offense, all your creatures can have flying is crazy, its awesome. i only wish it would be something more like a 2/2 for 4 so it would fit my white aggro, but i guess it would be overpowered then.
Comments (34)
This is one of those cards that attracts new players like crazy and make them want to build their deck around it. As a guy who likes introducing people to magic, I approve of cards like this : balanced and breeds ideas/inspiration to new players.
Anyways, it upsets me that this isn't a male angel, as a homage to Gabriel Angelfire like Roytaichou said. She does look like every other angel ever, they could've at least tried something with the art.
Stupidly good ability though. Wouldn't complain if I had one on the field!
*Remember her ability activates during opponents' combat phases too. First strike is good on anybody's turn.
On your 1st combat phase, choose either lifelink or first strike, whatever is better in the situation. 2nd combat phase, choose vigilence so you creatures stay untapped. Next turn, on their combat phase choose first strike so your creatures don't die as much. Fun!
4/5 for being a solid card that's fair.
When you are playing against Infect!
I adore the artwork on this card, one of the few I can say this about in the modern era of Magic.
All in all I'd say this is a solid rare. Not game breaking, and not a slouch either.
4.5/5
0.5/5 for us
Wow that's really harsh. Even in a casual environment, you can beat a card like this by just playing more cards that kill things. It is casual though so play how you want to play. I wouldn't have thought that this card would be one casual players hate though.
i only wish it would be something more like a 2/2 for 4 so it would fit my white aggro, but i guess it would be overpowered then.