When should I use Avacyn's Glory's Restoration Angel?

Question

When and how should I use Restoration Angel in the Avacyn's Glory deck? I understand Flash means it can be used any time like an Instant. What is the purpose or situation for exiling a non-angel I control then regaining control?

Restoration Angel. Cost: 3W. Flash. Flying. When Restoration Angel enters the battlefield, you may exile target non-Angel creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under your control.

Are you perhaps playing Magic as a board game? This site is for video games, but I can move it to the site for board games if you wish. — , Nov 05 '13 at 16:11
@agent86 I suspect he is playing DotP 2014, but I still think this would be better on BCG as it is about general Magic strategy as opposed to a question about a DotP mechanic. — Origami Robot, Nov 05 '13 at 16:16

David Starkey · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-07T18:55:27.603

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Many cards have an ability that triggers when coming into play. With Restoration Angel, you could re-trigger one such ability.

For the deck you mentioned, Goldnight Commander has the following ability:

Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn

So, when you play Restoration Angel and remove any other creature, your creatures get +2/+2 instead of just +1/+1. If that other creature is Geist-Honored Monk then the boost to all creatures becomes +4/+4.

This is just one example. Fiend Hunter, Champion of the Parish, Mentor of the Meek, and Soul Warden could also be used with this strategy.

Alternatively, you can dodge spells and abilities this way. If a non-angel you have is targeted by a spell or ability (say Shock) then removing the target from play temporarily will cause that spell/ability to miss and do nothing instead. As @skovacs mentioned in the comments, this can also apply to unwanted enchantments on your non-angel creatures.

edited Feb 07 '17 at 18:55

answered Nov 05 '13 at 16:33

David Starkey

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While this is generally right you have it backwards, you can only target *non*-angel creatures. – Ral Zarek Nov 05 '13 at 16:48
@RalZarek Thank's for pointing that out. Updated the answer. – David Starkey Nov 05 '13 at 17:07
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Also, while significantly less useful than activating entry conditions, it could also be used to remove enchantments and debuffs applied to a non-angel creature. – Nov 05 '13 at 18:46
@skovacs1 great point, added. – David Starkey Nov 05 '13 at 19:18
Also if you are attacking and get an unfavourable block you can remove the dude who is going to do from combat with it – Gilsham Nov 20 '13 at 00:28
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@Gilsham Or, you can block, then have your blocker saved before damage is dealt. – Patrick vD Feb 07 '17 at 19:53
@PatrickvD Relevant answer, in case anyone wants to look further into that scenario. – David Starkey Feb 07 '17 at 20:36

When should I use Avacyn's Glory's Restoration Angel?

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