Emancipation Angel MTG Card


Emancipation Angel offers strategic card advantage by recycling enter-the-battlefield effects through its unique ability. Angel elevates your game, acting as an indirect resource accelerator by reusing powerful permanent abilities. Although not an instant-speed card, it complements such strategies, bolstering both tempo and board presence.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Angel
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

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."


Cards like Emancipation Angel

Emancipation Angel holds a unique position as a utility creature within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other cards offering the return-a-permanent mechanic like Kor Skyfisher, which also can return a permanent to its owner’s hand. Yet, Emancipation Angel stands out with a larger body of a 3/3 flyer that provides a substantial presence in the skies. The trade-off with Kor Skyfisher lies in the angel’s cost, making it slightly pricier mana-wise.

Another comparison is with Restoration Angel. It boasts a similar flash ability, which allows for surprise defensive plays, but unlike Emancipation Angel, Restoration Angel excludes itself from its own return-a-permanent ability. This gives the Restoration Angel an edge in reusing enter-the-battlefield effects without the need to return itself. However, it comes at a higher cost and lacks the straightforwardness of Emancipation Angel’s ability triggering upon casting.

Considering strategy and cost effectiveness, Emancipation Angel is an excellent card for decks that thrive on repeated use of enter-the-battlefield effects or for those seeking an affordable flyer with reasonable stats. It compares favorably to its counterparts while offering its own distinct advantages and playstyle possibilities.

Kor Skyfisher - MTG Card versions
Restoration Angel - MTG Card versions
Kor Skyfisher - MTG Card versions
Restoration Angel - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Emancipation Angel by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
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Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
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Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Snow Hound - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Stern Marshal - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Kitsune Palliator - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Emancipation Angel presents a valuable opportunity for strategic card advantage. By bouncing a permanent you control when it enters the battlefield, you can effectively reuse enter-the-battlefield effects, turning a potential one-time advantage into a repeatable benefit.

Resource Acceleration: In realigning your board state, Emancipation Angel can act as a form of resource acceleration. It isn’t direct mana acceleration but it essentially resets powerful mana dorks or lands with abilities, ensuring you maximize the utility of your resources continuously throughout the game.

Instant Speed: Emancipation Angel does not operate at instant speed itself, but it can complement an instant-speed game plan. It’s a robust three mana drop that can immediately impact the board after you’ve held mana up for countermagic or other instant-speed interactions, maintaining tempo and board presence effectively.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Emancipation Angel requires you to return a permanent you control to your hand upon casting. This can become a setback when you lack expendable permanents on the battlefield, turning the card’s ability into a potential hindrance rather than an advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This angel demands a rigid mana layout of two white and one generic mana. This specific casting cost makes it a bit harder to integrate into multicolored decks that may not consistently produce the required white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you consider the three-mana investment needed to cast Emancipation Angel, the fact that its effect could potentially diminish your board presence makes it less appealing. Other creatures at a similar mana cost could offer equal or greater power and toughness without demanding a return of a valuable permanent.


Reasons to Include Emancipation Angel in Your Collection

Versatility: Emancipation Angel provides a flexible solution for many deck archetypes, particularly those that capitalize on enter-the-battlefield effects or need a reliable blocker in the air. Its basic ability to return a permanent you control to your hand can reset key strategical pieces or save important assets from being removed.

Combo Potential: This Angel is a gem when it comes to combo plays, working smoothly with permanents that have beneficial entry effects or those you’d like to reuse. By returning a permanent to your hand, you have the opportunity to create advantageous board states and multiple uses of single cards.

Meta-Relevance: With constant shifts in the competitive scene, Emancipation Angel can adapt to different meta environments. Its strength lies in its capacity to offer both offensive and defensive value. As decks evolve, having a card that can interact positively with a wide variety of situations is indispensable, making Emancipation Angel a strategic addition to any collection.


How to beat

Emancipation Angel presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield in MTG. As a durable flyer, it can swiftly change the tide of the game. The key to defeating this card lies in timing and the careful management of removal spells. One efficient tactic is to wait until the Angel is cast to employ removal, thus ensuring that your opponent has already sacrificed the card’s own tempo advantage by returning a permanent they control to their hand.

Utilizing instant spells that destroy or exile creatures, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can effectively neutralize Emancipation Angel before it has the chance to exert its influence over the game. Additionally, countermagic like Negate or Dovin’s Veto can thwart its casting altogether. Keep in mind to weigh each action, as the Angel’s entrance cost also acts as a drawback for the opponent, effectively slowing down their development.

Through strategic planning and a calculated approach to removal or countering, you can minimize the impact of Emancipation Angel on your game plan. This careful management of resources will ultimately be crucial in maintaining control of the match and overcoming the temporary setback that this card can represent.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping up our insights into Emancipation Angel, we highlight its tactical versatility for your MTG collection. Leveraging its capacity to reset and reuse your high-value enter-the-battlefield effects can seriously enhance your gameplay. It also serves as a sturdy winged defender in many deck builds. Whether you’re considering refining your current deck or embarking on creating a new one, remember the dynamic nature of the meta and how cards like Emancipation Angel adjust to it. For detailed strategies, advanced tips, and to expand your MTG prowess, connect with us. Your journey towards deck optimization starts here.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Emancipation Angel MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Emancipation Angel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Emancipation Angel Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-05-04Avacyn RestoredAVR 192003NormalBlackScott Chou
22016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 102015NormalBlackScott Chou
32018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 152015NormalBlackScott Chou
42020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1022015NormalBlackScott Chou
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 552015NormalBlackHisashi Momose

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Emancipation Angel has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-12-07 For Emancipation Angel’s triggered ability, the permanent to return is chosen as the ability resolves. No player may take actions between the time you choose the permanent and the time it’s returned to its owner’s hand.
2018-12-07 If Emancipation Angel is still on the battlefield as its triggered ability resolves, you may return Emancipation Angel itself.