Serra Avenger – Time Spiral Remastered
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2021
Ratings:
Constructed: 2.25
Casual: 4.00
Limited: 4.25
Multiplayer: 3.00
Commander [EDH]: 3.25
Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is bad. 3 is average. 5 is great.
Reviews Below:
David
Fanany
Player
since
1995
I can’t help but feel like Serra Avenger’s flavor text might have been an attempt to foreshadow not only the Mending, but the triumphant and bright Dominaria expansion. We should have listened at the time, and not been so caught up in complaining about Dragonstorm and whatever else. (Notice how I don’t even remember any more.)
Regardless, Serra Avenger is back in Time Spiral Remastered, which means a whole new generation will have a chance to learn what she’s all about. Now, it’s easy to get a heart-shadow over her stats and her timing. You probably hope for more than a French vanilla 3/3 creature on your fourth turn in casual or constructed. But remember, you’re only paying two mana for that creature. Maybe you’ll cast two. Maybe you’ll cast her and a removal spell, leaving her free to attack. Maybe you’ll cast her plus an equipment card, and threaten to attach it and absolutely devastate your opponent in one turn’s time. Maybe you have Youthful Valkyrie in play, and said angel is going on the sword-ride with her new friend. This is one of the best things about Magic: starting with something basic and turning it into something exciting.
Constructed: 2/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
Commander: 3/5
An interesting enough creature, Serra Avenger compensates for a very nice stat line for its mana cost by locking you out of casting it on your first three turns. Note that it’s your first three turns; flash shenanigans can easily make this a much faster play, and reanimation spells like Unearth will still get the job done. A 3/3 with vigilance and flying is certainly not bad, albeit a bit behind the curve these days on turn 4. She’s never quite lived up to her hype, but there are plenty of Angel decks that might find a home for her; she’s a cheap body that enables one to play other efficient tricks in the same turn.
Constructed: 2.5 (considering Modern oft is a “turn 4 format”, casting this on turn 4 is not the best thing to do, and enabling it to flash in is a bit tricky)
Casual: 4
Limited: 4.5 (evasive, efficient beaters rule most Limited formats)
Multiplayer: 3
Commander: 3.5
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