Jaw-dropping power. White has never been good at
getting big creatures, which is what makes this
powerhouse so surprising. If you're playing
white, at least in part, then you probably want
this. Even GREEN doesn't get 5/5's this powerful
for five mana. What happened with that?
The most common reaction to this angel's game
text is something along the lines of ". . .
really?" But she's real, and she's spectacular.
Following in the footsteps of Akroma and her
keyword overkill, Baneslayer Angel is a worthy
addition to any collection and almost any deck.
The protection ability looks like flavor-based
window dressing - until you remember that one of
Alara's five mini-planes was ruled by dragons
and another one by demons . . .
Welcome back faithful readers today’s card is
one I hope I pull from my soon to be acquired
booster box, Baneslayer Angel. With the official
release date of Magic 2010 upon us there are as
always a handful of chase rares, Baneslayer
Angel being near the top of the list. A 5/5
flying first strike, lifelink, protection from
dragons, protection from demons all for five
mana. A 5/5 flyer for five mana is a heck of a
deal the added abilities are just gravy on such
a huge creature.
The inclusion of protection from demons and
dragons while highly flavorful is nearly useless
unless staring down an army of changelings.
Baneslayer Angel is a great finisher card for
control decks or any white decks that need a
huge creature for a minimal mana investment. In
standard white decks are looking highly
impressive, and I’m guessing Baneslayer Angel
will see an extensive amount of play as a
relatively cheap finisher with a slew of
impressive abilities. In extended this card may
see play as well seeing it is highly efficient
huge bodied angel. Eternal formats a relatively
small chance but anything is possible. In casual
and multiplayer this creature dominates the
skies and is a great addition to angel decks and
should be popular with Timmies and Spikes alike.
In limited an absolute bomb pick it for the
monetary value, to prevent an opponent from
getting it, and to totally dominate the skies.
Welcome to the era of M10 it looks to be an
exciting and historical standard format.
Today's card of the day is Baneslayer Angel an
impressive and dangerous addition to the list of
White angels. Comparing it to Serra Angel, the
soon to be rotating out of standard Angel of
Mercy, and Battlegrace Angel which all have the
same color and converted mana cost shows what a
powerhouse this card is. Serra Angel has
Vigilance while Battlegrace has the same power
and toughness and Lifelink when attacking.
Baneslayer has First Strike and the powers of
Battlegrace on defense.
Angel of Mercy is pretty much weaker in every
way aside from the slightly better mana cost at
one less White mana and it gives life when it
enters the battlefield instead of needing to
deal damage. Any deck looking at a big white
creature should seriously consider Baneslayer as
a go to choice in Standard format.
Constructed for Standard the only reason to play
a different angel is if you really value
Vigilance or have a pure Exalted deck. Otherwise
Baneslayer is extremely well priced.
Casual is all about bomb cards and this angel
does well enough. No serious combinations or
tricks though as her powers are pretty
straightforward. There are cards with more
mechanical fun to slip into a casual deck and
the rarity is a bit of a deterrent.
Limited if you get this card you probably want
to play White. In sealed it is hard to ask for
much more than the package you get here and if
she sticks around you probably have a won game.
In booster draft getting this in your opening
pack is a gift and you probably want to draft
fairly heavily into the color. Just watch the
packs as they come around to gauge if other
players are skewing White as well. In later
packs unless you can't live without another card
in the pack take this card anyway. You do not
want to sit there facing an opponent's
Battlegrace Angel, especially after passing it
for a Lightning Bolt that won't even kill it.
The only drawback is the double White in the
mana cost, but for all of her benefits this is a
small price to pay.
Multiplayer is a format where Serra Angel shines
due to her Vigilance.
Subtracting that from Battlegrace Angel keeps
her a bit weaker here as her Lifelink and First
Strike can be outweighed by numerical
superiority. Still a powerful card, but not as
high of a choice as other formats.
