The Angel of Despair from Magic: The Gathering's 2017 Commander Anthology is a formidable seven-mana white-black creature known for its flying ability and powerful board-clearing enter-the-battlefield trigger.
2017 • Magic: The Gathering • Commander Anthology
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Raw / Ungraded
TCGplayer Market (reference) · Guide Estimate evidence · captured Oct 12, 2026
The Angel of Despair, numbered 173 in the 2017 Commander Anthology set, stands as a formidable presence in the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. This seven-mana Creature — Angel requires a balanced investment of white and black mana, reflecting its dual-color identity and its capacity to impact the board significantly. With a power and toughness of 5/5, it commands attention while in play, serving as a central threat in any deck that can support its high casting cost. The card's primary strength lies in its enter-the-battlefield ability, which allows the controller to destroy a target permanent upon entry. This effect makes it an excellent answer to opposing threats, capable of removing artifacts, enchantments, or other creatures that have become obstacles. Combined with the flying keyword, the Angel is difficult to block, ensuring it can deal damage to opponents or simply survive long enough to exert pressure. This combination of removal and evasion makes it a versatile tool in the Commander format, where board states can become cluttered and permanent removal is often necessary to maintain momentum. As a Rare card from the Commander Anthology, Angel of Despair was selected for its proven utility and strategic value in the multiplayer format. The set was curated to highlight cards that have historically performed well in Commander games, making this release a staple for players looking to build resilient and interactive decks. Collectors of Magic: The Gathering often seek out cards from this era for their historical significance in the format's evolution, as well as for their artistic and mechanical design. For those interested in the broader context of the game, the Angel of Despair represents a classic design philosophy where high mana costs are balanced by game-changing effects. Its inclusion in the Commander Anthology underscores its relevance to the format, offering a reliable way to control the game while presenting a significant threat to opponents. Whether building a new deck or expanding a collection, this card offers a compelling blend of offense and defense that has resonated with players since its release.
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The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
The core identity of the card within the set.
The subject, team, league, and sport context tied to this card.
Featured
Angel of Despair
Game
Magic: The Gathering
Rarity, print treatment, and game-specific stats for this card.
Rare
Todd Lockwood
Card Stock
English
{3}{W}{W}{B}{B}
Creature — Angel
5 / 5
B, W
Abilities, attacks, oracle text, and flavor text printed on the card.
Flying When this creature enters, destroy target permanent.
"I feel in them a sense of duty and commitment, yet I can feel nothing else. It is as if their duty is to an empty void." —Razia, Boros archangel
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