Angel's MercyHow it works & interactions with other cards

Divine Restoration

Angel's Mercy is an instant-speed spell that costs four mana, including two white. When it resolves, it performs one simple task: it increases your life total by exactly 7. Because it is an instant, you can cast it at almost any time, including during your opponent's turn or in response to an attack.

How it Resolves

First, you cast Angel's Mercy by paying its mana cost and placing it on the stack. Once both players pass priority, the spell resolves. You immediately add 7 to your current life total, and the card is placed in your graveyard. If an effect prevents life gain, the spell still resolves but your life total remains unchanged.

Strategic Considerations

A common mistake is casting Angel's Mercy too early when you aren't under pressure, which uses up your mana and a card without affecting the board state. It is often best used when your opponent expects you to be within range of a finishing blow. Note that gaining life does not count as damage being prevented or 'healing' a creature; it strictly affects your player life total.

When to Cast

Timing is key for utility spells. You can use Angel's Mercy to survive a lethal attack after blockers have been declared but before damage is dealt. It also serves as a great trigger for other cards that care about life gain, turning a simple health boost into a tactical advantage.

Interaction examples

Surviving the Elephant

Generous Gift

Suppose your opponent uses Generous Gift to destroy your best land, leaving you with a 3/3 Elephant token. If you are at 2 life and the Elephant attacks, you can cast Angel's Mercy before damage. You gain 7 life, going up to 9, allowing you to survive the 3 damage from the token and stay in the game.

The Protection Conflict

Teferi's Protection

If you cast Teferi's Protection, your life total cannot change until your next turn. If you then attempt to cast Angel's Mercy while Teferi's Protection is active, the spell will resolve, but you will not gain any life. Your life total will remain exactly where it was because the 'cannot change' rule overrides the gain effect.

Response to Lethal Burn

If an opponent casts a spell that would deal 5 damage to you while you are at 4 life, you can cast Angel's Mercy in response. Angel's Mercy goes on top of the stack and resolves first, putting you at 11 life. Then the damage spell resolves, bringing you down to 6, and you remain in the match.