If we mean best as in actually just really good, I vote Faith's Fetters. If you mean maximum theoretical life output, then I too have to nod to martyr of sands. And, when part of a combo, Starlit Sanctum.
All in all, the best color for lifegain, in my opinion, is Black.
White or Green lifegain spells simply read "you gain N life".
Black lifegain spells read: "Kill something. You gain N life".
(Merits to Green/White good lifegain-attached creatures like Finks or Baloth, though)
But, if you want to twist the question even more, I'd have to say that the best life-gain card of all time would have to be Swords to Plowshares. I'm sure it's not what you had in mind, but I figured I'd point it out for fun!
Level 31 Invoker
Pride is a powerful tool; it makes us fight harder when we are weak as does it cut us down while we are at our prime.
If you are a player in the Lancaster, PA area or go to school at Millersville University there is a Magic Club that holds all kinds of events! Checkout our Facebook Page or message me, Austin Rittle! http://www.facebook.com/groups/170267396386812/
Martyr of Sands is probably the most efficient lifegain card in the game since you invest so little to gain so much so early.
Beacon of Immortality causes headaches when in a deck already strong in life gain since it can just make the gap between your life total and your opponent's so large that it may as well be infinite life. Also the fact that it shuffles back into your deck means it can always crop back up again.
As for other less astronomical but passive lifegainers, Knight of Meadowgrain remains one of the most efficient early-turn sources of life gain. Also hard to ignore Baneslayer Angel for higher cmc but still super-efficient life gain. Wall of Reverence is of course dumb with the right cards and it became a central piece in a good deck a while back, which is why its price shot up so much for a while. It + Plumeveil was a damned obnoxious defense combination.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Decks
Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite) Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks) Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks) Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
For sheer life gain power, I'd have to say Wellwisher, the potential of Elves is absolutely insane. From a spikey competitive position, I'd say Exalted Angel or Baneslayer Angel, they define metas and are damn good at life gain to boot!
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I haven't changed by signature since Mirrodin Besieged spoilers started!
See, the thing about life gain is this. A lot of people trash it. I have heard so many people say "life gain can't win you a game." And outside of Test of Endurance, that statement by itself is pretty much true. But the flip side of that statement is why life gain is great...it can stop you from losing a game. And it is superb at swinging an otherwise balanced game. Why else have cards like Kitchen Finks, Bottle Gnomes, Knight of the Meadowgrain and Pulse of the Fields been traditionally popular among both the competitive and casual crowd?
But when assessing a great life gain card, my own personal philosophy is this: aside from gaining life, why is this card good? And can the card win you the game by itself? And in a vaccuum, I think we can all agree that Baneslayer Angel and Exalted Angel fulfill this requirement because they are evasive beaters.
I just don't believe that simply gaining the most life at the best price would qualify as a great life gain card, or else we would all be picking Beacon of Immortality. For 5 mana, which effect would you rather have in such a deck: 5/5, flying, first strike, lifelink angel or target player gains 20 life? The second card is much more likely to gain you the most life but the first card is potentially game-winning on its own. Case closed.
So Baneslayer Angel is my first pick, and Exalted Angel my second.
im feeling old reading this post, but many of you dont seem to realize just how powerful zuran orb was in its time. it makes alot of the suggestions here seem quite ridiculous in comparison.
im feeling old reading this post, but many of you dont seem to realize just how powerful zuran orb was in its time. it makes alot of the suggestions here seem quite ridiculous in comparison.
I'd do a poll, though I think I'd leave out too many cards.
I vote Martyr of Sands, HM to Sun Droplet
Not for combo's or most life, just most competitive and efficency.
And Wellwisher, it's not the best card, but often absolutely infuriating.
Idiot life. Sac a cleric to starlit sanctum after an arbitrarily large number of free targets + daru sanctifier.
Ditto. Its even more amazing when paired up against another elf deck!
Or Tendrils of Corruption, since this one sees more competitive play.
All in all, the best color for lifegain, in my opinion, is Black.
White or Green lifegain spells simply read "you gain N life".
Black lifegain spells read: "Kill something. You gain N life".
(Merits to Green/White good lifegain-attached creatures like Finks or Baloth, though)
Also, Gerrard's Wisdom was played back in the day (although it saw almost no play even when reprinted functionally in Saviors).
Let's also not forget about Loxodon Hierarch and Ravenous Baloth.
But, if you want to twist the question even more, I'd have to say that the best life-gain card of all time would have to be Swords to Plowshares. I'm sure it's not what you had in mind, but I figured I'd point it out for fun!
-Friz
Pride is a powerful tool; it makes us fight harder when we are weak as does it cut us down while we are at our prime.
If you are a player in the Lancaster, PA area or go to school at Millersville University there is a Magic Club that holds all kinds of events! Checkout our Facebook Page or message me, Austin Rittle! http://www.facebook.com/groups/170267396386812/
Beacon of Immortality causes headaches when in a deck already strong in life gain since it can just make the gap between your life total and your opponent's so large that it may as well be infinite life. Also the fact that it shuffles back into your deck means it can always crop back up again.
As for other less astronomical but passive lifegainers, Knight of Meadowgrain remains one of the most efficient early-turn sources of life gain. Also hard to ignore Baneslayer Angel for higher cmc but still super-efficient life gain. Wall of Reverence is of course dumb with the right cards and it became a central piece in a good deck a while back, which is why its price shot up so much for a while. It + Plumeveil was a damned obnoxious defense combination.
Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite)
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks)
Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks)
Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
Standard
Waiting for Innistrad...
Extended
Hah!
Modern
Living End Cascade (RGB)
Legacy
Burn
Vintage
None
Casual
WB Aggro-Control
Green Stompy
Pink Floyd (UWr Wall Control)
Lunch Box (Fatty ramp)
D-Bag (White Control)
Level 13 Task Mage
Lifegain cards that aren't crap do something useful other than lifegain. Lightning helix, for instance, as well as exalted angel.
"Sometimes, the situation is outracing a threat, sometimes it's ignoring it, and sometimes it involves sideboarding in 4x Hope//Pray." --Doug Linn
HMs to Martyr of Sands and Zuran Orb. Geddon/Balance decks can't work without it. Drain Life is always fun too, though I've had a soft spot for Taste of Paradise. Words of Worship can get pretty ugly if you lurve card draw.
'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
hm to congregate
Under that, Congregate. Lifegain that saves my ass from certain death? Okay!
I have a soft spot in my heart for my old elves. Go pointy ears! (or knife ears)
Past that, old favorite (read: infuriating to play against) then Armadillo Cloak.
BRG Jund Midrange GRB //// B Vampire Aggro B //// WRU Patriot Control URW
Extended:
RGW Zoo WGR
Legacy:
RUG Canadian Thresh GUR
EDH:
U Arcum Dagsson U //// WB Teysa, Orzhov Scion BW //// UR Jhoira of the Ghitu RU
Special thanks to spiderboy4 of High~Light Studios for the banner
Phantom Nishoba
I swear, i've yet to win a game against it.
Tendrils of Corruption is my pick for most practical lifegain. Pretty much destroys a creature, and gives you a good chunk of life.
Tribute to Dr. Jeebus
Not a little Sheeple.
See, the thing about life gain is this. A lot of people trash it. I have heard so many people say "life gain can't win you a game." And outside of Test of Endurance, that statement by itself is pretty much true. But the flip side of that statement is why life gain is great...it can stop you from losing a game. And it is superb at swinging an otherwise balanced game. Why else have cards like Kitchen Finks, Bottle Gnomes, Knight of the Meadowgrain and Pulse of the Fields been traditionally popular among both the competitive and casual crowd?
But when assessing a great life gain card, my own personal philosophy is this: aside from gaining life, why is this card good? And can the card win you the game by itself? And in a vaccuum, I think we can all agree that Baneslayer Angel and Exalted Angel fulfill this requirement because they are evasive beaters.
I just don't believe that simply gaining the most life at the best price would qualify as a great life gain card, or else we would all be picking Beacon of Immortality. For 5 mana, which effect would you rather have in such a deck: 5/5, flying, first strike, lifelink angel or target player gains 20 life? The second card is much more likely to gain you the most life but the first card is potentially game-winning on its own. Case closed.
So Baneslayer Angel is my first pick, and Exalted Angel my second.
/end rant
The Saga of Arkay
Agreed. This and all the //gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?name=+[%22gain%20life%20equal%20to%20the%20sacrificed%20creature%22">%7C%7Ctype=+[%22gain%20life%20equal%20to%20the%20sacrificed%20creature%22]%7C%7Csubtype=+[%22gain%20life%20equal%20to%20the%20sacrificed%20creature%22]%7C%7Ctext=+[%22gain%20life%20equal%20to%20the%20sacrificed%20creature%22]"]gain life equal to sacrificed creature's toughness cards tied for the win.
0 Karn
W Darien
U Arcanis
B Geth
R Norin
G Yeva
UW Hanna
RB Olivia
WB Obzedat
UR Melek
BG Glissa
WR Aurelia
GU Kraj
BRU Nicol Bolas
RGB Prossh
BGW Ghave
GUB Mimeoplasm
WUBRG Sliver Overlord
GWU Treva, the Renewer
EDH Spike:
U Azami, Lady of Scrolls
Trades