MTG Salvation

There's a lot of removal in my format and I've been debating if it's worthwhile to add a Shelter to protect my creatures or more importantly; my general. I haven't seen many people run protection spells other than Simic Charm. Some EDH players told me it wasn't a good idea because it is a situational card and took up a valuable card slot. However, Shelter seems decent because at the very least acts as a cycle card. I was also thinking of God's Willing but I think I'd rather have a card in my hand at 1 CMC more rather than looking what I could want. Any ideas if these cheap protection spells are any good in EDH.

It depends on how often your things are targeted and how often you can afford to keep the mana untapped to use it. It's not a bad type of card, but it's pretty situational, and there are good alternatives such as blink, reanimation, permission, bounce, and static protection such as swords, greaves, and things like Asceticism, plus rattlesnakes along the lines of Martyr's Bond and Grave Pact.

I always want to play it, but it often feels like other cards are better. I'd play shelter, and maybe Apostle's Blessing (because it can protect a newly minted Sol Ring), but most of the time I just pass them by.

I once had an Akroma, Angel of Wrath deck that played Cho-Manno's Blessing, because having protection from 3 colours made her pretty much impossible to handle in combat.

I do not think cheap 1-shot protection spells are a great slot, and agree with your friends that say it takes up a slot that would be taken up with cards that have a bigger effect on the game. A big question remains: what type of deck do you have in mind? What colors are you in? Some colors will give you access to better protection spells.

Emerge Unscathed is interesting for some generals. Dodge removal and then potentially be unblockable the next turn.

1-cmc protection definitely has a place in the right deck, like a voltron deck, or any deck capable of alpha striking an opponent with 1 beefy creature. Combo decks as well.

I play Rebuff the Wicked, Faith's Shield, and Undying Evil in my Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts deck. If Faith's Shield wasn't so insanely pretty in foil I'd probably switch it with Shelter for the cantrip.

Really though it depends on your deck. If you're a voltron deck or only have a couple serious threats you plan to ride to victory, protection spells are perfectly fine.

Thanks guys for the responses. I guess I will try Shelter for now as the "if all else fails cantrip" is never a bad thing.

Mother of Runes, Devoted Caretaker

Samite Elder is usable if you're running Eight-and-a-Half-Tails, but probably not so much otherwise.

Actually, 8.5 Tails is pretty good by himself. He can blank any targeted thing for 1WW, or 1W if said thing is already white.

You're looking for Mother of Runes.

Reusable protection.

The only reason I run Shelter is because of the gorgeous art.

Quote from Cornebus

You're looking for Mother of Runes.

Reusable protection.

The only reason I run Shelter is because of the gorgeous art.

Mom is definitely powerful reusable protection; there's no doubt about that. I just like combat and response tricks that my opponent won't see coming by goading them to play their removal spells thinking it'll go through. With Mom out, your opponent will think twice about using their removal. It's simply a preference of play of mine. And Shelter does have beautiful art too.

Safe Haven might be interesting. It certainly helped me a few times and people seem to forget the land after a while. Even protects against non-targeted removal. Note that it doesn't produce any mana.