Angel of the Dire Hour MTG Card


Angel of the Dire Hour provides a powerful advantage by exiling all attacking creatures instantly. Its high mana cost requires strategy but rewards with potential game-changing plays. Adaptable across various deck types, it excels in controlling and life-gain strategies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 5
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flash Flying When Angel of the Dire Hour enters the battlefield, if you cast it from your hand, exile all attacking creatures.

She arrived like a meteorite, and the enemy fell in a shock wave of holy vengeance.


Cards like Angel of the Dire Hour

Angel of the Dire Hour has carved out its niche in the realm of combat-centric cards within Magic: The Gathering. This card stands shoulder to shoulder with other divine beings like Sunblast Angel which similarly disrupts the battlefield with its ability to destroy tapped creatures when it enters the battlefield. However, Angel of the Dire Hour raises the stakes by exiling attacking creatures and having the surprise factor with its flash ability, allowing for unexpected game turns.

Deflecting Palm is another card that can alter the course of combat, but unlike the Angel, this instant only impacts a single source of damage, turning it back on the opponent. What it lacks in board impact, it compensates with lower cost and the potential for a dramatic life point swing. Then there’s Comeuppance, which can stop damage from multiple sources and retaliate in kind, echoing the Angel’s protective aura at a critical moment.

Each of these cards offer unique advantages in managing threats and deterrence in the battle phase. However, Angel of the Dire Hour sets itself apart with its combination of combat control and evasion, making it a formidable force on the playing field.

Sunblast Angel - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Comeuppance - MTG Card versions
Sunblast Angel - MTG Card versions
Deflecting Palm - MTG Card versions
Comeuppance - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Angel of the Dire Hour by color, type and mana cost

Elder Land Wurm - MTG Card versions
Seraph - MTG Card versions
Archangel - MTG Card versions
Ancestor's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Serra Avatar - MTG Card versions
Drogskol Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Eternal Dragon - MTG Card versions
Soul of Eternity - MTG Card versions
Crowd Favorites - MTG Card versions
Kami of the Honored Dead - MTG Card versions
Luminous Angel - MTG Card versions
Angel of Retribution - MTG Card versions
Ghosts of the Innocent - MTG Card versions
Angel of Glory's Rise - MTG Card versions
Windbrisk Raptor - MTG Card versions
Pale Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Yoked Plowbeast - MTG Card versions
Vengeful Archon - MTG Card versions
Angelic Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Kemba's Legion - MTG Card versions
Elder Land Wurm - MTG Card versions
Seraph - MTG Card versions
Archangel - MTG Card versions
Ancestor's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Serra Avatar - MTG Card versions
Drogskol Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Eternal Dragon - MTG Card versions
Soul of Eternity - MTG Card versions
Crowd Favorites - MTG Card versions
Kami of the Honored Dead - MTG Card versions
Luminous Angel - MTG Card versions
Angel of Retribution - MTG Card versions
Ghosts of the Innocent - MTG Card versions
Angel of Glory's Rise - MTG Card versions
Windbrisk Raptor - MTG Card versions
Pale Wayfarer - MTG Card versions
Yoked Plowbeast - MTG Card versions
Vengeful Archon - MTG Card versions
Angelic Arbiter - MTG Card versions
Kemba's Legion - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Angel of the Dire Hour enters the battlefield, it can change the tide of the game by exiling all attacking creatures. This not only removes numerous threats but also can deny your opponent significant card resources, effectively setting them back while you maintain or establish a stronger board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Although Angel of the Dire Hour is not a direct source of resource acceleration, resolving this spell in the late game can act as a resource equalizer. By removing multiple adversary threats without losing any of your own, it can potentially save mana and resources in the long run that would otherwise be spent on dealing with those threats individually.

Instant Speed: Angel of the Dire Hour can be cast at instant speed due to its Flash ability. This allows you to strategically wait until the perfect moment during your opponent’s turn to surprise them and turn an unfavorable attack into a complete rout for your opponent. The flexibility of an instant speed play also means you can continue to play reactively and keep mana available for other spells or abilities until it’s most impactful.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Angel of the Dire Hour doesn’t have a discard requirement, which is advantageous in preserving hand resources. However, it’s worth considering the overall strategy and whether having a full grip is essential for your deck’s success.

Specific Mana Cost: Angel of the Dire Hour demands a significant white mana investment, requiring not just seven mana but three of which must be white. This specific mana cost can often hinder deck flexibility, favoring players with a strong white mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a seven mana cost, the card is on the higher end of the mana curve. For a card that provides its powerful effect of exile all attacking creatures, you may find yourself waiting longer than desired to play it. This could potentially put you at a disadvantage against faster, more aggressive decks.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Angel of the Dire Hour offers a unique surprise factor, making it a powerful addition to decks that thrive on disruption. Its ability to clear the battlefield of attacking creatures is not only a game-changer but can be used in a variety of deck archetypes, especially those centered around control and life-gain strategies.

Combo Potential: This card can seamlessly slot into combinations that capitalize on creature removal or enter-the-battlefield triggers. Pairing Angel of the Dire Hour with cards that recycle or duplicate its ability can create oppressive board states for your opponents and turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Meta-Relevance: Given a game environment filled with aggressive decks, Angel of the Dire Hour serves as a powerful countermeasure. In a meta dominated by creature-based strategies and swarm tactics, the angel’s ability to exile attacking creatures at a critical moment makes it a potent tool for maintaining board control.


How to beat

Angel of the Dire Hour is an impactful card in Magic: The Gathering, often changing the course of a game when it hits the battlefield. Its unique ability to exile attacking creatures can turn a tight match on its head. To effectively counter this celestial being, timing is crucial. Employ instant-speed removal spells such as Path to Exile before your opponent reaches seven mana, thereby ensuring the angel never gets its wings. Alternatively, apply pressure early in the game to reduce the likelihood of a late-game comeback supported by this card.

Counterspells are also a strategy worth considering. Holding up cards like Counterspell or Mana Leak when your opponent is nearing the critical mana threshold can nullify the angel’s surprise element. Furthermore, it’s beneficial to avoid overcommitting creatures to the attack when the angel could make her appearance, as she can only exile creatures that are declared attackers. Thus, play cautiously and maintain a balance between applying pressure and keeping resources back to mitigate the damage she could potentially cause.

Defeating Angel of the Dire Hour demands a combination of strategic foresight, deck building consideration, and in-game tactics. Ensure your deck can handle threats before they become dire to maintain dominance over the playing field.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping things up, understanding the dynamics of MTG is key to crafting a winning strategy. Angel of the Dire Hour is a card that can significantly shift the momentum of any match. If you’re keen on outmaneuvering your opponent with clever plays and devastating surprises, integrating this celestial guardian into your deck could be a game-changer. It blends control with combat strategy, making it a top pick for those with a penchant for mid-game dominance. Dive in deeper with us and discover how Angel of the Dire Hour can elevate your deck from good to legendary. Let’s embark on this MTG journey together, refining tactics and building your ultimate card collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Angel of the Dire Hour MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2014 and Mystery Booster, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Angel of the Dire Hour and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Angel of the Dire Hour Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-11-07 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Jack Wang.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-11-07Commander 2014C14 12015NormalBlackJack Wang
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 212015NormalBlackJack Wang
32020-07-17JumpstartJMP 852015NormalBlackJack Wang
42020-09-26The ListPLST C14-12015NormalBlackJack Wang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Angel of the Dire Hour has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Angel of the Dire Hour card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2014-11-07 Creatures that were declared as attackers or entered the battlefield attacking continue to be attacking creatures until the combat phase ends. It’s possible to exile all attacking creatures after they’ve dealt combat damage if you cast Angel of the Dire Hour during the combat damage step or end of combat step.
2014-11-07 If a spell or ability instructs you to put Angel of the Dire Hour onto the battlefield from your hand, that means you won’t have cast it, so its triggered ability won’t trigger.
2014-11-07 If you cast Angel of the Dire Hour outside of combat, its triggered ability will trigger but have no effect.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.