Massively underrated and underplayed in EDH. Especially with the new legend rules ruining the ability to kill generals via clone, this card becomes more valuable against hexproof monstrosities. If you can pay 7 for him, you can likely prevent all of the damage their general deals. Plus while they're tapped out and hurting, you can swing with a creature that only Avacyn, Angel of Hope and a select few other cards can block easily.
He doesn't need to tap, so even while he beats face with his ultra-efficient body (for white anyways.) you're still protected. 5/5, should see more play.
Posted By:
ElliotSternberg
(6/20/2013 5:52:37 AM)
I guess Baneslayer has warped everything, but I consider a 7/7 flyer for 7 CMC without any drawbacks in white to be really, really awesome. Not to mention is has an awesome ability!
I love it! Also have a foil, really pretty.
Posted By:
Lord_of_Tresserhorn
(9/24/2011 4:49:41 PM)
I really like his ability because it doesn't need a tap so you can play it in bursts, works especially well with training grounds, pay 5 to block 15 damage.
Posted By:
Gezus82
(7/12/2010 9:16:09 AM)
@UNBAN_SHAHRAZAD: actually, Ruby Medallion works with Fireball, since it (like other cost reducers) applies to the total mana cost, which includes the number chosen for X.
As an example, you control 6 untapped lands and a Ruby Medallion, and are about to throw a Fireball at your opponent's smug face. You announce X as 6, making the total mana cost {6}{R}, which is then reduced to {5}{R} by the medallion. Finally, you tap your 6 untapped lands and pay the now reduced cost, turning that smug look into a frown.
The same thing is true with Training Grounds, except you cannot reduce the cost below {1} (Though you may still choose to redirect only 1 or 2 damage, it'll still cost {1}, just like redirecting 3 damage)
Posted By:
exterion
(7/11/2010 4:38:31 AM)
I pulled one of these at prerelease. Nice enough card, pity it couldn't protect itself from the fireball it took to the face.
I really want to use one of these to pull the old Final Fantasy Reflect trick; zap myself with something, use the Archon to prevent the damage, and shunt it to my opponent. Just because I could.
Posted By:
B_Quad
(7/12/2010 2:43:27 PM)
Great for EDH. Even if they have rendered their general untargettable, you can still redirect its damage because the effect doesn't target the creature, it targets you.
Posted By:
Nagoragama
(5/23/2011 1:50:45 AM)
As far as I can tell, this does combo with Training Grounds. If you choose 3 for X, you only need to pay {1}. You can then activate it again for additional damage prevention if needed.
Posted By:
Vinifera7
(5/27/2011 10:03:50 PM)
YES! DEATH TO BANESLAYER.
Posted By:
UltimaCenturion
(7/9/2010 11:11:32 AM)
It's a 7/7 flier for 7CMC. It is tied with Woolly Razorback and Iona, Shield of Emeria for whites second most powerful card. Losing out only to Akron Legionnaire. And let's face it, that guy just sucks. The ability is icing.
Anything that smashes Baneslayer Angel's face in deserves five stars from me. I bought four last night.
Posted By:
Eved
(7/8/2010 5:35:53 PM)
Expensive but cool.
Posted By:
VirtueVsVice
(7/8/2010 5:08:27 PM)