Archangel Avacyn // Avacyn, the PurifierHow it works & interactions with other cards

Divine Protection and Transformation

When Archangel Avacyn enters the battlefield, she immediately grants indestructible to all creatures you control. This effect is locked in when the ability resolves, meaning only the creatures currently on the board benefit. Her second ability is a delayed trigger: if a non-Angel creature you control dies, she marks that event and prepares to transform at the beginning of the very next upkeep, regardless of whose turn it is.

The Purifier's Wrath

Once the upkeep begins and she transforms into Avacyn, the Purifier, a new triggered ability goes on the stack. This ability deals 3 damage to every other creature on the battlefield and each opponent. Note that if multiple non-Angel creatures die in a single turn, she only transforms once during the next upkeep; she cannot transform back and forth using her own ability.

Strategic Timing with Flash

Because Archangel Avacyn has Flash, you can cast her in response to a removal spell or during an opponent's combat phase to save your creatures. If you want her to transform, you must ensure a non-Angel creature you control dies. If a creature dies during an opponent's end step, she will transform almost immediately at the start of your own upkeep.

Interaction examples

Sacrificial Value

Archangel Avacyn // Avacyn, the PurifierSolemn Simulacrum

With Archangel Avacyn on the battlefield, your Solemn Simulacrum dies in combat. This triggers Avacyn's delayed transformation ability. At the start of the next player's upkeep, Avacyn transforms into Avacyn, the Purifier, dealing 3 damage to the board. You also get to draw a card from the Simulacrum's own death trigger.

Doubling the Divine Intervention

Archangel Avacyn // Avacyn, the PurifierRoaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Angel' chosen as the creature type, Archangel Avacyn's enter-the-battlefield ability triggers twice. While the second instance of indestructible is redundant, if a non-Angel dies, the transformation trigger also triggers twice. However, per official rulings, she will transform once and remain on her 'Purifier' side even if a second transformation trigger resolves.

Checklist Representation

Archangel Avacyn // Avacyn, the PurifierShadows Over Innistrad Checklist 2

Because Archangel Avacyn is a double-faced card, you can use the Shadows Over Innistrad Checklist 2 to represent her in your deck if you are not using opaque sleeves. When she is played, you swap the checklist for the actual card to track her transformation into Avacyn, the Purifier.