Paragon of the Amesha is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
First strike: Until end of turn, this creature becomes an Angel, gets +3/+3, and gains flying and lifelink.
Complete guide
Paragon of the Amesha is a versatile Knight that embodies the full spectrum of Alara's mana. While it starts as a simple creature with first strike, it can undergo a celestial transformation if you can harness all five colors of magic. This transformation turns it into a powerful offensive threat capable of swinging the game in your favor.
What It Does
At its base, Paragon of the Amesha is a 2/2 creature with first strike. Its true potential lies in its activated ability: for one mana of every color, it gets +3/+3, gains flying and lifelink, and changes its creature type to Angel until the end of the turn. Note that first strike remains active even after the transformation.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When you pay the five-color cost, the ability goes on the stack. Once it resolves, three things happen simultaneously: first, the creature's power and toughness increase to 5/5. Second, it gains the keywords flying and lifelink. Third, it loses its Human and Knight types to become an Angel. If you activate the ability again, it will get another +3/+3 and a redundant instance of lifelink, but it will remain an Angel.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is assuming Paragon of the Amesha keeps its original creature types. Unlike many cards that say 'in addition to its other types,' this ability specifically makes it an Angel, meaning it loses the Human and Knight subtypes until the effect wears off. Additionally, remember that gaining flying after blockers are already declared does not make the creature unblockable by ground units.
When to Play It
This card shines in five-color decks that can reliably produce every color of mana. Because it has first strike, the power boost makes it incredibly difficult to trade with in combat. It is best used as a mana sink during the late game to provide a massive life point swing and evasive damage.
Interaction examples
Solemn Simulacrum
Sakura-Tribe ElderTo activate Paragon of the Amesha, you need access to all five colors. You can use Sakura-Tribe Elder to search for a missing basic land type early on. Later, Solemn Simulacrum can fetch another land, helping you assemble the required mana base to trigger the transformation.
If you activate the ability before combat damage, Paragon of the Amesha deals 5 damage during the first-strike damage step. Because it has lifelink, you will gain 5 life immediately, potentially saving you from defeat before your opponent's slower creatures can even strike back.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Paragon of the Amesha
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You can activate Paragon of the Amesha’s ability more than once during a turn. The second time it resolves, it will get another +3/+3 and gain another instance of lifelink. However, multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant so you won’t gain extra life from the new one.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
When Paragon of the Amesha’s activated ability resolves, Paragon of the Amesha will gain flying and lifelink in addition to its other abilities. However, becoming an Angel will make it lose all other creature types. It will no longer be a Human or a Knight.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If Paragon of the Amesha gains flying after blockers have been declared, it won’t cause those blocks to change.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Paragon of the Amesha
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.