Well, Avacyn Restored is almost spoiled entirely, and with it comes over a dozen new Angels. Considering I took my most recent Angel deck apart, some of the new ones are ones I definitely want to add. So I thought I'd ramble about some of the new ones here in general.
Please note the opinions given below should be considered from a Casual view, focusing more on Multiplayer and Commander than dueling.
So here is Zedd's thoughts (in alphabetical order):
Angel of Glory's Rise 5ww
Creature - Angel Rare
Flying
When Angel of Glory's Rise enters the battlefield, exile all Zombies, then return all Human creature cards from your graveyard to the battlefield.
"Justice isn't done until undeath is undone"
4/6
This one is obviously too situational to use in an Angel Tribal deck. only time it should end up in one is if you know you're playing against Zombies. No way would I bother to put this in.
Angel of Jubilation 1www
Creature - Angel Rare
Flying
Other nonblack creatures you control get +1/+1.
Players can't pay life or sacrifice creatures to cast spells or activate abilities.
"Though Innistrad is not cleansed of evil, we finally have cause to rejoice."
3/3
now this is one I can see myself using! not only does it have a nice 3/3 body on it, it also pumps up your other creatures. Score. Also, given the abundancy of creature sacrificing and paying life for spells present, her secondary ability is pretty awesome too. This one will really mess up my playgroup.
Very awesome art on this one. Zedd approves.
Archangel 5ww
Creature - Angel Uncommon
Flying, vigilance
5/5
If MTGsalvation is accurate, this is back. There are better angels at that cost. Move along.
Avacyn, Angel of Hope 5www
Legendary Creature - Angel Mythic Rare
Flying, vigilance
Avacyn, Angel of Hope and other permanents you control are indestructible.
A golden helix streaked skyward from the Helvault. A thunderous explosion shattered the monolith, and Avacyn emerged, free from her prison at last.
8/8
I really like her ability. I really really do, given that my Angel deck tends to run several WoG, DoJ and Planar Cleansing. But her cost is high and she can still be taken care of fairly easily. I can't see myself putting more than one in my Angel deck and not be kicking my own a** for not putting a second Akroma in. Indestructible is nice but it's not actively causing my opponent to lose...
Pretty snazzy art here too.
Emancipation Angel 1ww
Creature - Angel Uncommon
Flying
When Emancipation Angel enters the battlefield, return a permanent you control to its owner's hand.
"You have done your best. I give you leave to rest."
3/3
This is another one I am really liking. A 3/3 flyer for CMC 3! All I have to do is return a permanent to my hand eh? That's still pretty good. There's all kinds of low cast mana accelerants you could use, or return an Oblivion Ring to select a new target. All kinds of options. I will most likely be running some of these as my 3 slot angels is pretty slim.
I really like the art for this one.
Goldnight Redeemer 4ww
Creature - Angel Uncommon
Flying
When Goldnight Redeemer enters the battlefield, you gain 2 life for each other creature you control.
The Host sings of Avacyn's return without a single verse about its own suffering.
4/4
Not a good choice for Angel Tribal. The odds are high when she hits play she'll be underpowered, and you might only have a couple of angels in play. 6 mana could be better spent on something with more oomph, like Baneslayer (which only costs 5) and have mana to spare for that StP.
Herald of War 3ww
Creature - Angel Rare
Flying
When Herald of War attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Angel spells and Human spells you cast cost 1 less for each +1/+1 counter on Herald of War.
3/3
Now this is more like it. Not only does it speed up Angel drops the more it attacks (which blends nicely with an early turn Angel of Jubilation), it keeps getting bigger itself, making it a horrid threat. P/T seems a bit low at 3/3 for 5 mana but I'm pretty sure I can make this a big contender in the deck with right mana acclerants. Guaranteed to be targetted on a regular basis.
Art is pretty spiffy.
Restoration Angel 3w
Creature - Angel Rare
Flash
Flying
When Restoration Angel enters the battlefield, you may exile target non-Angel creature you control, then return that creature to the battlefield under your control.
3/4
Very nice. 3/4 with Flash for 4. it's triggered effect is optional too, which is even more awesome. While I don't think I'd use this in my Angel deck, I would definitely consider it just because of the Flash to catch opponents offguard.
Seraph of Dawn 2ww
Creature - Angel Common
Flying, lifelink
2/4
I can think of a better angel for my CMC 4 slots. Emeria Angel comes to mind, as does Angel of Jubilation.
Voice of the Provinces 4ww
Creature - Angel Common
Flying
When Voice of the Provinces enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 white Human creature token onto the battlefield.
3/3
No. Just...no. Not in an Angel tribal. Will never bother with this one save for my Angel collection.
Bruna, Light of Alabaster 3wwu
Legendary Creature - Angel Mythic Rare
Flying, vigilance
Whenever Bruna, Light of Alabaster attacks or blocks, you may attach to it any number of Auras on the battlefield and you may put onto the battlefield attached to it any number of Aura cards that could enchant it from your graveyard and/or hand.
5/5
This one makes me want to recreate my G/W/U aura deck. Sweet jesus does it ever. In an aura deck this is so badass. The cost is reasonable too for a 5/5 with flying and Vigilance.
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight 4rww
Legendary Creature - Angel Mythic Rare
Flying, first strike
If a source would deal damage to an opponent or a permanent an opponent controls, that source deals double that damage to that player or permanent instead.
If a source would deal damage to you or a permanent you control, prevent half that damage, rounded up.
5/5
I am going to splash red just for this. Her cost is pretty high at CMC 7 but that ability so makes it worth it for multiplayer. Awesome for Highlander too.
Sigarda, Host of Herons 2gww
Legendary Creature - Angel Mythic Rare
Flying, hexproof
Spells and abilities your opponents control can't cause you to sacrifice permanents.
Great devotion yields great reward.
5/5
Another one I like, but my playgroup uses a lot of spells and abilities to make opponents sacrifice stuff and Eldrazi are still seen on a semi-regular basis. One I will most likely use more in my G/W than my Angel Tribal.
Well, there's my point of view on the new Angels, dealing with a Tribal themed deck for Casual Multiplayer! Next time I might post a new build I'm doing hoping to implement the ones I found more interesting.
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