if only restoration angel didn't have the non-angel clause

zapyourtumorif only...I don't even know how many times I thought it should only exclude cards named restoration angel... xD Glorious Protectoris another one so close yet so far....

I Love this. My very first deck I ever built was angel tribal. Been trying to figure out how to make it competitive ever since. This deck build looks great. I always tried to “cheat” angels in though through re animation or my very first deck through Herald of War. If I ever get back into fnm I might give angels another try.

Feridia Thanks! Well, this is not T1 by any means but it is pretty competitive, definitely can get you wins on FNM, give it a try! I am sure you would have fun with it! Yeah, I've brew a bunch of decks where I tried to cheat angels or dragons just because I want to win with angels and dragons, xD.

Hey, I tried to make this work out but at my FNM I just get completely destroyed in most all matchups. I never get to really use aether vial at all, so it seems like it ends up being pretty dead for me.

I've been trying to make angels work for the last 3 months to no avail, this friday I will be trying out the deck with some soul sisters for ETB effects for Thune, and potentially some Windbrisk Heights. Have you tried any of those cards out in this type of deck?

FisterMantastic I don't know your build (I'll be happy to check it out if you want to share it), but this works quite well for me overall as long as I have good sideboarding plan. Is not like I am winning everything but overall I win more than I lose and I rarely get "completely destroyed".

I don't really know what to tell you about vial either, It makes God's work for me as long as I play it T1 or T2. Like in every deck, makes wonders against control, ensures I stay on curve, ramps, allows instant speed blocks etc. but also allowing some shenanigans like activating Resplendent Angel on opponents turns, explosive instant speed blocks and attacks with Righteous Valkyrie or Archangel of Thune, using Shalai, Voice of Plenty as some kind of counter spell... So there is not a chance in the world I am cutting that in my build, but if you don't feel like it works for you, cut it out.

Once again, I don't know your list and your local meta so I might be wrong, but assuming both are similar to mine, I've tried Soul Warden in the past and it adds very little value overall. I feel like both Giver of Runes and in a lesser extent Speaker of the Heavens add much more. We don't really go very wide to activate her multiple times per turn, and there aren't many meta decks that really go wide other than maybe affinity (which is not really strong anyway) ATM so you are not getting that much value from the opponents either. As a creature is too weak, she can't even block 1/1s. Having a T1 play to support your T5 play is not the best idea either if she's so weak, because she's rarely going to survive to that point, and adds barely nothing while in play meanwhile. She for sure will net activate Thune from time to time, but it is going to be rare and not as explosive as you might think. The most positive thing about her is not Thune activation but that she gives another extra play that leads to T3 Resplendent Angel activation (Soul Warden into Bishop of Wings into resplendent) and that she makes it quicker to reach 27 life for righteous. This decks makes really good use of Thunes ability but it's not build around maximizing it. If you want something to push in a big way Thune's ability you might want to check Linden, the Steadfast Queen but at that point you'll rather be playing souls sisters with thune as a wincon than Angel tribal.

I've never tried Windbrisk Heights because I never felt like it was really good enough here. First and most important, it might be a me thing, but tapped lands are a huge no no in modern IMO, don't ever let them get near me, xD. Also with my build I don't really attack with 3 creatures that often, many times I don't do it in the whole game (and not because I had a bad game, I might have easily won) so I feel that it will be very inconsistent. I think it's like Emeria's Call  ^Flip seems pretty good enough effect to take a small price to play the land, but in the end you get to use the "not land part" so rarely and of those times is so few of them decisive that any price on the land regardless of how small it is ends up not being worth it. Once again, it might not be true in your build, or even in mine because I haven't tried it and might be wrong, so if you try it let us know how it went!.

Good luck in the next FNM!

Thanks, I'll give it another run, but I ran it at two fnm events, and the vial just never made it to 3, or if it did it was immediately bounced so I had to reset. There are around 25 modern players at my local fnm, goblin combo, jund, like 4 living end players, lots of ephemerate grief shenanigans, affinity and hammer time as well. Most of my games went 0-2, but I do have a good track record VS bogles with it. I'll get back to you on how things go tonight but I refuse to let angels go because they are so fun!

FisterMantastic The vial thing I don't get how is always that bad for you because it tends to be great for me.

But for the rest, yeah, you are pretty unlucky, it seems that your local meta consist in mainly the decks we struggle most against, that's quite unfortunate. I guess you would have to work on the sideboard a lot. The SB in here needs a few changes for the actual meta, a few more creature removal to begin with.

Goblin combo (or any combo deck) is really hard for us. If there are a bunch of those Nevermore is probably our best side option to try to stop combos. Also fatal pushes on the side to take the snoop.

Jund unless they put Lili on turn 3 I don't tend to find it an specially difficult matchup, but like for the living end, put Rest in Peace on the side and that should be enough most of the times. If there are that many living ends around you maybe you even want some extra (and cheaper) graveyard hate to make sure it doesnt get though seized, Tormod's Crypt or Soul-Guide Lanternshould be able to do that job.

Ephemerate + Grief or Solitude (or anything that basically give us card disadvantage) hurts a ton. Shalai helps with that, but is a T4 play which many times is too slow. If you suffer that much against them you may want to put Leyline of Sanctity on the side, or double down in instant speed kill spells to make sure that at least you only get hit by each those once and not 2 or 3 times.

Affinitty doesn't tend to be hard for me, only sometimes because of Urza's Saga. Switch the Anguished Unmakings for Vindicates to help with that (I've done it, I should actualize this list, xD). Other than that it shouldn't be a problem with all the life gain. But you have a million "disenchant" effects in white if you feel like needing more hate.

Hammertime is a pretty hard match up specially on the draw. Double down on instant speed removal to kill its things while they are gettin equipped (mainly put a few pushes in the side)and hope you can stabilize before you die. Maybe even play Stony Silence even if having that doesn't totally stop them because of Sigarda's Aid. Bear in mind that we worry more about the trample in the Shadowspear than the hammer itself.

But yeah, I am sorry man, you have literally the worst meta possible to play this thing. I hope this helps a bit but you are in a tough area to play this. Mine is just the opposite, full of ultra aggressive decks that I can easily stomp.

I am happy at least you are finding this thing fun because I really think it's a super fun deck to play!

Good luck today, I hope it goes better!

Haha thanks, I'll take the advice and keep trying it out. Is there a play for Sanctifier en-Vec over Youthful Valkyrie do you think given the amount of graveyard abuse I tend to be against?

FisterMantastic I don't really know about Sanctifier en-Vec overall. If you told me that the problem is Kroxa or Dragon rage channeler ill say "sure, go for it". But if your GV troubles are with Jund and Living end I don't know... It will definitely help, but I don't think that would completely stop them at all.

Junds Tarmo's will still have your grave to feed from and their green stuff in theirs. Lilly makes you sacrifice things so it bypasses sanctifier's protection.

Living end plays creatures of basically any color, in fact lately I seem to find that most living end decks are mainly blue. So depending on the build that would only partially stop that also.

If you main deck a card that is only good against certain decks it should completely shut them down, not just halfway. In the other hand taking out angel creatures only waters down our main strategy, which is putting angels in play so our million triggers trigger. But at least she's a cleric, it could be worse...

If you feel like you need GY hate mainboard for sure go for it, but I don't think Sanctifier will solve your problems the way you think. Maybe as a 2x (replacing 2 youthfuls) because it helps a bit on those match ups and when the ability doesnt matter at least it has a body (and I can't recall any other GY hate card that at least gives you that when the hate is useless)but I don't think it will work as well as you are thinking, i'll probably rather put 2x Soul-Guide Lantern. But if you play it do it as a 2x at best, and I would still keep RIP as my main GV hate in the side and not another couple of those.

FisterMantastici don't know what the hell I was thinking about talking about Kroxa and dragon rage as if they weren't in Jund, xD. Yeah, Sanctifier will help a lot against Jund (even if you will still have the couple of troubles I mentioned.

But I still it wouldn't help that much against Living End (which seems to be a bigger problem for you).

True, I guess I just need to throw tons of graveyard hate into the sideboard. 3 rips I was running before wasn't enough. And you are right about the blue in them now, hit with force of negation and brazen borrower hurts the anti graveyard stuff and it very very reliably pops off at turn 3 it seems. Chalice of the Void is an option, as it also helps deal with affinity, but I don't have the funds at the moment to devote just to sideboard. I'll see how things shake out tonight and then make a couple decks here on the site, I only just made an account to reach out here for advice which has been great so far! Appreciate all the advice!

FisterMantastic Yeah, 4 rips for sure. And couple of Soul-Guide Lanterns or Tormod's Crypt (whatever you like more) if you need more hate should do the trick. I don't think they are that consistent but FYI Ravenous Trap and Crypt Incursion might be fun/interesting SB cards that can also do the trick. Grafdigger's Cage can also stop living end.

If force of negation es a problem a card that I found works surprisingly well and is super fun to play is Mana Tithe. It works the first time at least xD, so I just sideboard it in game 2 and took it out if I had to play game 3. It also works quite well just against the Violent Outburst and the living end itself, since normally they tap out to cast it as soon as possible. No one expects the Spanish Inquisition...I mean, the white counterspell. Not the most consistent thing but a fun one to have in mind at least from time to time.

Yeah, chalice of the void could do the trick pretty nicely, but I feel the same as you. I want it for the side of another deck but man...that kind of money for a sideboard card hurts...

Glad to help! The more people play and test it the more feedback we will have and the better it could become. I am hoping for players better than me to give it a try, hahaha. I just hope most people that try it are at least a bit luckier than you with the matchups, xD.

FisterMantastic Hi! were you a bit luckier at the FNM?

It went a little bit better, It just feels like it won't work super well in my local meta with buttloads of removal and fast games. Even with RIP I was still pretty free to living end, but I had bad draws so I won't count it out on that one yet. More testing will be done and I'll find some mix of things that eventually works out decent in my locals, but the whole "I'm just gonna play creatures and smash" is proving pretty rough thus far haha.

Also, Grafdigger's doesn't actually stop living end just so you know :p, thought about it and looked into it. cascade casts the found card from exile, and then living end also puts the creatures in from exile.

Glad to hear that at least it went a bit better. Yeah, testing and specially learning the matches would does wonders for not tier/meta decks.

I don't think they are worth it but if there is so much removal maybe you can check Gods Willing, Fight as One or Ephemerate as protection.

Oh! you are right, I shouldn't make recommendations from the top of my head without checking first. xD

I like this list idea- I'll second the call for mono white - there are cards being printed like Portable Hole that fill universal removal holes, the rest should get there.

Youthful does a lot, Serra Avenger is worth some testing if you can vial it out, and Speaker of the Heavens plays to the lifegain synergy. Thats it in terms of low cost fairly-early game angels. Luminarch Ascension is dope but not exactly early game.

I just want wizards to print some better 1/2/3 drop angels, or cards that care about angels. Impostor of the Sixth Pride shouldn't be in the competition for a tribe with a card printed in almost every set, and I shouldn't look at human tribal cards to support speaker/bishop synergies.

A 1 drop creature that becomes an angel when X happens, or grants decent stats to angels would go so far. Even an angel Squadron Hawk would do a lot.

(I mean we got an angel Squadron Hawk they just doubled the mana cost xd)

lagotripha portable hole is worthless in this deck. 99% of the permanents that worry us are 3cmc or more (mainly planneswalkers, ensnaring bridges, etc. You can go momo white but if you do the only card that does the trick is Generous Gift.

I've more than tested Serra Avenger, it's what I used before Youthful was printed. But the card is only good if you vial it in, a 2 of works Shor of. Not more than that. Youthful is much better.

Speaker of the Heavens is my choice 1 drop for a more budget list. It's ceiling is super high. But it's bottom is super low. It's either a wincon or a dead top draw/chumblocker. Giver is much more consistent and adds way more overall. Still is a card I will totally add 2 off to a more budget or low to the ground list.

Luminarch Ascension is waaaay to slow for modern.

Tobe fair impostor is never been in the competition, XD, but yeah, they've printedmreprinted a few 2 cmc angels latelly, but I wish those were at least rares. And I will kill for a 1cmc rare/mythic angel. And yeah, I wish we didn't have to look for humans but honestly I think is going to be hard to get something better than bishop, even if she's not an angel. That thing is too good.

A 1cmc creature that becames an angel could be dope, but in this build it would be worthless since most our staff cares of angels ETBing, not in play.

What I think we need is some kind of card advantage stapled in to an angel. And we could use an angel variation of Skyclave Apparition also. There are a couple angels that do that but all return the card when they leave the battlefield, which sucks.

I hope that in innistrad we get and angel worth making the list, fingers crossed

Oblivion Ring kek

Oblivion Ring doesn't hit lands (quite important now with Urza's Saga ) and above all gives their stuff back if removed. No thanks. Plus Generous Gift is an instant. The ring is a solid card but the gift is the better option IMO if you go mono white. Still the 2nd best option for that spot in mono white, that's true.

Been following this deck for a minute now because Angels are probably my favorite tribe in Magic and this seems like a list that I could show up to FNM with and pull out a couple wins with.

I did want to ask since I am piecing this together if the 4th Archangel of Thune is something I should consider dropping a few bucks on as well as the 3rd Shalai, Voice of Plenty. The only thing I could even think to slot in is a Lyra Dawnbringer but I saw some comments that maybe that isn't the best choice. Are there any recommendations anyone has?

DigitlViking glad you like the deck! With an appropriate SB for the meta I am sure you can get a few wins with this deck, and more importantly have a ton of fun.

Archangel of Thune is our biggest finisher and we tend to want one as soon as we can cast it. That said it's a 5 drop and it's not like we can't win without her so I don't think there will be much problem going to 3 to save a few bucks. Lyra Dawnbringer is the second best choice for a 5 drop IMO for this deck, and they do quite similar things, so it won't make much difference if you go 3 Thunes and 1 Lyra. And in the future you may want to upgrade once tryed and seen why Thune has an slight edge.

About Shalai, Voice of Plenty , I think she's amazing, you are always happy to see her in your hand. She protects us and our hand super well and combos neatly with Giver of Runes. You feel safe with her on board. The only reason I don't run a 4 of is because she is legendary. But she doesn't really advance our win plan, so I assume that if you cut one of them our plan doesn't really change or gets affected, it's just a bit easier to disrupt.

About other options, the other best angel 4 drops are Archangel of Tithes, Angel of Jubilation and Linvala, Keeper of Silence. I already explained their their individual pros and cons more in depth in previous comments so check those out. But basically those 3 (may depending on the deck) disrupt your oppenents plan. But to have a card that my or my not disrupt the oppenents plan I'll rather have one that ensures that our plan doesn't get f****d. After all we are in white, every card is relevant.

Any way, if you manage to free two slots i'll probably give a go to 2 Speaker of the Heavens. When he is online is such a power house... A couple of Serra Avenger s might fill the gap also.

Card draw is a huge problem so I've been thinking lately about testing a 2 of Mask of Memory and my main candidates to go were actually an archangel and a Shalai so you might want to be the one who gives it a try and tell us all how it went. I think that with such a cheap both cast and specially equipping cost and so many flyers in our deck it has the chance of being pretty consistent.

DigitlViking. I forgot to mention Serra the Benevolent as a a possible 4 drop. I've already explained why she doesn't make the cut for me but it's a really solid card. You my find that it does work for you.

darkmus Appreciate the thoughts. I happen to have the Mask of Memory sitting in one of these long boxes here I think, so maybe I will give that a go and see what happens. I do have a solid pile of angels here I could try swapping in and out to see where I end up with them. Given what some are playing locally, Angel of Jubilation might end up being a solid contender for the slots as well. That would likely be the most disruptive.

Once I get things sleeved up and a few games in I will hopefully be able to report back about the masks.