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The angel returns
What this set is
Avacyn Restored ends the Innistrad block with Avacyn freed and the humans winning. It is a large set drafted on its own, and it has no double-faced cards: the transforming werewolves of the first two sets are absent, which fits a story about the night lifting.
Its two new mechanics are soulbond and miracle. Soulbond pairs a creature with another unpaired creature you control, and both get the bonus while they stay paired. Miracle lets you cast the card for its much cheaper miracle cost if it is the first card you drew this turn, revealed as you draw it.
Avacyn Restored is a strong Commander set. Cavern of Souls, Craterhoof Behemoth, Blood Artist, Exquisite Blood, Cathars' Crusade and Restoration Angel are from here. Griselbrand is banned in Commander.
Themes
Every mechanic in Avacyn Restored
Soulbond
When this creature or another creature enters, you may pair them if both are unpaired. Both get the bonus as long as you control both. If either leaves, the other is free to pair again.
Miracle
You may cast the card for its miracle cost when you draw it, if it is the first card you drew this turn. Most miracle costs are far below the normal cost, so the top of your library matters.
Undying
Back from Dark Ascension on a handful of cards.
Where You Can Play It
Format legality
Avacyn Restored shipped under a single code. It predates Pioneer by five months, so the set is legal in Modern and the eternal formats, with one Commander ban.
Not Standard-legal; Standard only ever holds the last few years of sets. Avacyn Restored cards are playable in Modern, Legacy, Vintage and Commander, except that Griselbrand is banned in Commander. Commons from any set are Pauper-legal; that isn't listed per set here.
Limited
The draft format
Drafted as three packs of Avacyn Restored. Soulbond made creature combat a puzzle of pairings, and the absence of double-faced cards changed how open information worked compared to the first two sets.
Soulbond creatures
Midrange
Soulbond creatures pair with each other for big bonuses, which rewards a deck of creatures over removal-heavy builds.
Spirit fliers
Tempo
White and blue Spirits and fliers, with flash creatures to trade at instant speed.
Commanders
The most played commanders from Avacyn Restored
The legends this set is best known for. Tap one for its printings and what it costs.
Boosters, precons and singles from Avacyn Restored are on TCGplayer.
FAQ
Common questions
How do miracles work?
If a miracle card is the first card you drew this turn, you may reveal it as you draw it and cast it for its miracle cost, which is usually much cheaper. It works on any player's turn.
What is soulbond?
When a creature with soulbond or another creature enters, you may pair them if both are unpaired. Both get the soulbond bonus while you control both.
Is Griselbrand banned in Commander?
Yes. Griselbrand is on the Commander banned list. The rest of Avacyn Restored is Commander-legal.
Does Avacyn Restored have double-faced cards?
No. It is the one set in the Innistrad block without them.
All card names, art, and mechanics belong to Wizards of the Coast. Avacyn Restored released on May 4, 2012; details reflect the set as published. Sources: Wizards of the Coast set pages and release notes, Draftsim, Untapped.gg.
Playing Avacyn Restored in Commander?
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