Magic The Gathering Card of the Day: Baneslayer Angel

Welcome back readers today’s card of the day continuing our top ten countdown is Baneslayer angel one of the most powerful white creatures available in recent years. With five powerful abilities on a 5/5 flying creature for five mana it’s making an impact in standard tournaments and is an all around powerful creature that will effect a large variety of competitive tournaments. In standard this card is the perfect finisher for control decks utilizing white, not only does provide a powerful offensive attacker but a powerful defensive deterrent as well. The protection from demons and dragons although flavorful has only a limited application for a few cards that appear in competitive circles. It’s a powerful creature that has secured a home in standard decks and that will most likely not change anytime soon. In extended this a powerful card that has made an impact as a powerful and efficient creature. In casual and multiplayer circles this card is fierce angels are a popular tribe for casual deck builders and this creature can be vicious at the kitchen table dominating the skies and slaying dragons left and right. In eternal formats I doubt it could make a huge impact as it costs five mana. In limited definitely a top pick as it only dies to dedicated removal and can take down most commonly encountered creatures. Overall this card is a powerful force as a finisher in decks using white be they agro or control style decks overall it’s a powerful card that has made a definite impact on competitive magic.

Constructed: 4.0
Casual: 4.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 4.0

Today's card on the countdown is Baneslayer Angel which is a serious contender for the best of the White angels. Comparing it to Serra Angel, 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.

Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 3.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 3.0