Understand, Dredge is not really a Magic: The Gathering deck. When a card is playable in it, it doesn't mean it's a tournament playable card. It means it's playable in whatever crazy fantasy world that Dredge operates in.
Maybe you like spending money on packs and opening trash rares like this. A lot of people don't. Stop defending bad cards. You sound like one of the people who was trying to defend Thorncaster Sliver or Tidebinder Mage in M14. Stop making excuses for bad cards! We will never get better cards designed if we hopelessly apologize for bad ones.
That's just the thing. They are not bad. They are reasonable and they are playable. Calling them trash is silly because they are anything but. So my "making excuses" for "bad" cards is really me just pointing out how they're playable.
The game was built on people playing what they want. If people want to play with Tidebinder, then that's their choice. It'll be great in a blue devotion deck, along with the new merfolk Mythic. If people wanna play Thorncaster, awesome! It'll go great in Naya Slivers.
Really, it is extremely hard for Wizards to design a card that will absolutely never, ever be put into a deck.
EDIT: "Voting with your wallets"? The game isn't about money, it's about fun. Also, you literally throw cards you see as unplayable in the trash?
EDH: URJhoira of the GhituUR(Under con.) BMaralen of the MornsongB UBLazav, Dimir MastermindUB Standard: UMono U DevotionU Casual: GPrimordial Hydra JankinessG
Well... Spiritmonger was a staple in it's age, it was like "the best creature ever".
today, if they reprint it, it wouldn't come close to warp the format.... I'm not even sure it would be extensively played.
I really feel wizards should stop making creatures better while making spells worse...
at least stop making spells worse, lol.
How boring (not to mention a rip off) is it to have every set have a "He's a big dumb green creature that will never see play outside of this draft, you might as well drop it in the 5 for a $1 bin on your way out, thanks for the $4 for the pack though!"
Creatures printed at rare, with stats and abilities that make them unplayable and end up right in the garbage can after your draft? That's crazy talk!
Maybe you like spending money on packs and opening trash rares like this. A lot of people don't. Stop defending bad cards. You sound like one of the people who was trying to defend Thorncaster Sliver or Tidebinder Mage in M14. Stop making excuses for bad cards! We will never get better cards designed if we hopelessly apologize for bad ones.
Junk like this is bad for the game. Getting excited for junk like this is bad for the game. Buying pack and boxes with junk like this is bad for the game. Nothing will get better in MTG unless you start voting with your wallets.
this is the kind of i love opening. But then again, i like drafting and enjoying the game.
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I fear I won't have much time to play Magic these days.
I get to watch worlds develop around me.
I get to watch great leaders, terrible oppressors, and trend setters rise and fall.
Limited, Standard, Modern, everything is a different playing field I feel I can observe, but will not actually touch.
I look forward to the stories I will hear.
And more so to the ones I will watch unfold first hand.
Isn't the unknown exciting?
@ Valarin - You do realize that if they make every card better there will still be a top % of cards in terms of power and a bottom %, yes? Even if all cards had a more similar power level there would be a top % and bottom. The game would become bland if every card was of equal power, if that's even possible. Of course there are a few cards that messed up formats and resulted in banning but you can't make everything 100% perfect.
If you can create a draft format where every card is simultaneously a first pick and last pick, please release that game and see how well it sells. MtG is doing fine by most people's standards.
Nobody played Vorapede and that card was stupidly pushed. I still don't think reach and a mana sink for kill something with flying once will see play anywhere outside of "limited"
Lol oh wow didn't notice that. Aite. Well, the Colossus is a very serviceable fatty. In decks that want to go really big you'd rather have a 6/6 than the efficiency of a Plummet. Especially since the 6/6 Reach should nullify whatever flier your opponent has immediately before giving you the choice of destroying. It probably won't see much constructed competitive play but has a good Timmy appeal while being a possible standard sideboard option. It could be a green deck's way of having something to block the new Thundermaw Hellkite while also being a finisher. It's a very specific card but a good one.
Playable Titan-esque creature is playable! All he's missing is Trample.
Strictly better than Silklash Spider, which saw play.
Would you mind explaining how this is strictly better, if even better, than Silklash Spider?
Silklash Spider may not be as large, but it kills swarms of flying Vampires, Faeries, Angels, and Dragons. It also may not belong in every deck; but, in the right deck, it wipes the floor with opponents.
Similarly, Arbor Colossus doesn't belong in every deck; but, in the right deck, it does well. Perhaps that deck is one with a Rancor or something, as good stats are simply not enough.
I'm pretty sure most people on these forums don't know the difference between "strictly better" and "sorta better in my opinion."
Strictly better = better or equal in every single area (power, toughness, mana cost, and ability.)
If there is any case at all where each card would perform better than the other, then it's not appropriate to use "strictly better." Some people bend the definition a bit for cards that are quite obviously better in the vast majority of cases, but I don't think Arbor Colossus vs Silklash Spider is an example of that, since silklash has higher toughness and an ability which hits multiple targets instead of one.
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Trolljutai, YOLOghan, Swagumgar, Bromoka, and Derptarka, the Elder Dragons.
I like him. I wish he had trample instead of reach. And there are no good permanent ways to give him trample right now so..... It makes him less appealing. Though currently I am eyeballing a GW P/T efficency deck to abuse the curve and he would probably top the curve since he is strickly better than advent of the wurm. It would be between him and archangel of thrun. Or both depending.
So disregarding haste strategies, let's compare Kalonian to this guy.
-Kalonian comes down as a 4/4 trample, swings next turn for 8/8 and trample.
-Colossus comes down as a 6/6 reach, swings next turn as a 9/9 and kills a flyer.
Now on the second attack, Kalonian definitely overtakes the Colossus, but on respective turns they drop, the Colossus is actually a little less vulnerable (it doesn't get hit by mortars), and killing a flyer when he becomes Monstrous is always helpful. Hell he can stop the new dragon the turn he comes down. I feel like his costs are more indicative of running him in monogreen more often than the hydra who is very splashable, considering and that it just fine.
Kalonian takes far less investment and is obviously a better card, but this guy is quite solid and will probably see play.
Pro:
+More devotion to Nylea (they have amazing synergy). Also great for the Coffers Shrine that will be auto-include in mono green.
+Better blocker (6/6 on the first turn, you don't need to attack and be vulnerable for it to get big)
+Can block fliers
+Can kill a flyer next turn
+Bigger then hydra even after it attacked
Con:
-More mana investment to make it big, removal makes you waste 11 mana
-Doesn't get out of hand after 2 turns (9/9 is still big enough in most cases)
-No trample alone
-Harder to cast in multicolor
Overall, Hydra snowballs harder and is more of a "seal the deal" type of card. It will also be played in more decks. Colossus on the other hand is better at getting you out of losing situations and is better in decks that devote to green.
If Spiritmonger's really smart and doesn't go to some self-esteem-focused school where being smarter than the other kids is actively discouraged, maybe. I'm pretty sure Invasion was in 2000, though.
Anyway, I'm also of the "this isn't power creep" school of thought. This is obviously worse than Terra Stomper, even if you factor in that the latter costs 1 more. (And if you're playing more than one color, or playing N-post or anything like that, that extra 1 isn't as relevant because both have GGG in their mana costs.) This is much, much worse than Kalonian Hydra. I'd even venture it's worse than both Thorn Elemental and Duskdale Wurm, though both cost 7 mana.
I can't really think of a good creature with reach for comparison, just because there are no good creatures with reach that cost more than three mana other than Sylvan Primordial, and that's more the sheer card advantage involved than it being a 6/8 with reach for eight mana. And this is no SP.
Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
How so? Trample and reach are actually antagonistic, and reach has no special synergy with shade.
Trample is the only thing missing on the giant. Maybe it doesn't fit with reach, but it fits with the 6/6(or 9/9). Also 3 devotion is a big selling point.
I understand that you think this is a trash rare that will ruin your boosters, but you can keep the discussion respectful. I was merely comparing both cards, even in the most obvious facets.
I like him. I wish he had trample instead of reach. And there are no good permanent ways to give him trample right now so..... It makes him less appealing. Though currently I am eyeballing a GW P/T efficency deck to abuse the curve and he would probably top the curve since he is strickly better than advent of the wurm. It would be between him and archangel of thrun. Or both depending.
Nylea is a good way to give him trample. He has 3 green in his cost, so he'll almost always bring enough devotion to make her a creature.
Selesnya Charm also gives trample in G/W. Or Enlarge.
I don't think "strictly better" means what you think it means. This card costs 1 more mana than Advent of the Wurm, doesn't come out at instant speed, and can't be populated.
Seriously folks, I can understand misusing more complex/obscure terms, but "strictly better" should have pretty obvious meaning to anyone who knows the definition of the words. Make some effort to not toss around terms you don't understand...it's getting kinda annoying.
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Trolljutai, YOLOghan, Swagumgar, Bromoka, and Derptarka, the Elder Dragons.
Nylea is a good way to give him trample. He has 3 green in his cost, so he'll almost always bring enough devotion to make her a creature.
Selesnya Charm also gives trample in G/W. Or Enlarge.
I don't think "strictly better" means what you think it means. This card costs 1 more mana than Advent of the Wurm, doesn't come out at instant speed, and can't be populated.
Seriously folks, I can understand misusing more complex/obscure terms, but "strictly better" should have pretty obvious meaning to anyone who knows the definition of the words. Make some effort to not toss around terms you don't understand...it's getting kinda annoying.
Nylea doesn't seem worth it in many decks. Maybe as a 2 of but hardly something I'd play as a 4 of or even a 3 of. Charm and Elarnge are terribad for trample as it only works once. Charm is good as a card in general but not as a good way to give him a constant trample which is what he needs.
Your correct I should not have used "strictly better" but rather "much better". Populate is a weak mechanic that doesn't see much constructive play. Please refrain from making assumptions about my ignorance when you have read all of one of my posts. Thank you. It gets annoying when people get their granny panties into a bunch over wording when the meaning is obvious.
Powercreep.
When a 5 mana 6/6 with all upside is not good enough for constructed anymore.
Modern:
Something new every week
Legacy:
Something new everyweek
That's just the thing. They are not bad. They are reasonable and they are playable. Calling them trash is silly because they are anything but. So my "making excuses" for "bad" cards is really me just pointing out how they're playable.
The game was built on people playing what they want. If people want to play with Tidebinder, then that's their choice. It'll be great in a blue devotion deck, along with the new merfolk Mythic. If people wanna play Thorncaster, awesome! It'll go great in Naya Slivers.
Really, it is extremely hard for Wizards to design a card that will absolutely never, ever be put into a deck.
EDIT: "Voting with your wallets"? The game isn't about money, it's about fun. Also, you literally throw cards you see as unplayable in the trash?
URJhoira of the GhituUR(Under con.)
BMaralen of the MornsongB
UBLazav, Dimir MastermindUB
Standard:
UMono U DevotionU
Casual:
GPrimordial Hydra JankinessG
Since when? Just how old is Spiritmonger, really?
Old enough to be in High School.
Well... Spiritmonger was a staple in it's age, it was like "the best creature ever".
today, if they reprint it, it wouldn't come close to warp the format.... I'm not even sure it would be extensively played.
I really feel wizards should stop making creatures better while making spells worse...
at least stop making spells worse, lol.
this is the kind of i love opening. But then again, i like drafting and enjoying the game.
I get to watch great leaders, terrible oppressors, and trend setters rise and fall.
Limited, Standard, Modern, everything is a different playing field I feel I can observe, but will not actually touch.
I look forward to the stories I will hear.
And more so to the ones I will watch unfold first hand.
Isn't the unknown exciting?
Elves
Loam Depths
Goblin Stompy
Kobold Aggro
GB Nic Fit
Pod Nic Fit
12 Post
Pattern Combo
Squirrel Stompy
Amulet of Vigor Combo
Restore Balance
Cascade Swans
Mono U Tron
Through the Breach
Elves
Mono Red Control
Tooth and Nail Tron
Leviathans
Krenko Combo
Jaya LD
Zirilan Dragons
Omnath
I assume he gets ticked off and knocks a flying creature out of the sky.
Commander:
R Daretti, Scrap Savant
BR Olivia Voldaren
BRG Shattergang Brothers
GUR Riku of Two Reflections
WBG Karador, Ghost Chieftain
If you can create a draft format where every card is simultaneously a first pick and last pick, please release that game and see how well it sells. MtG is doing fine by most people's standards.
Giant spiders are not common in greek mythology (although they do exist- see Arachne)
Silklash Spider may not be as large, but it kills swarms of flying Vampires, Faeries, Angels, and Dragons. It also may not belong in every deck; but, in the right deck, it wipes the floor with opponents.
Similarly, Arbor Colossus doesn't belong in every deck; but, in the right deck, it does well. Perhaps that deck is one with a Rancor or something, as good stats are simply not enough.
Strictly better = better or equal in every single area (power, toughness, mana cost, and ability.)
If there is any case at all where each card would perform better than the other, then it's not appropriate to use "strictly better." Some people bend the definition a bit for cards that are quite obviously better in the vast majority of cases, but I don't think Arbor Colossus vs Silklash Spider is an example of that, since silklash has higher toughness and an ability which hits multiple targets instead of one.
And only after attacking with Kolonian Hydra 2 times:
Pro:
+More devotion to Nylea (they have amazing synergy). Also great for the Coffers Shrine that will be auto-include in mono green.
+Better blocker (6/6 on the first turn, you don't need to attack and be vulnerable for it to get big)
+Can block fliers
+Can kill a flyer next turn
+Bigger then hydra even after it attacked
Con:
-More mana investment to make it big, removal makes you waste 11 mana
-Doesn't get out of hand after 2 turns (9/9 is still big enough in most cases)
-No trample alone
-Harder to cast in multicolor
Overall, Hydra snowballs harder and is more of a "seal the deal" type of card. It will also be played in more decks. Colossus on the other hand is better at getting you out of losing situations and is better in decks that devote to green.
If Spiritmonger's really smart and doesn't go to some self-esteem-focused school where being smarter than the other kids is actively discouraged, maybe. I'm pretty sure Invasion was in 2000, though.
Anyway, I'm also of the "this isn't power creep" school of thought. This is obviously worse than Terra Stomper, even if you factor in that the latter costs 1 more. (And if you're playing more than one color, or playing N-post or anything like that, that extra 1 isn't as relevant because both have GGG in their mana costs.) This is much, much worse than Kalonian Hydra. I'd even venture it's worse than both Thorn Elemental and Duskdale Wurm, though both cost 7 mana.
I can't really think of a good creature with reach for comparison, just because there are no good creatures with reach that cost more than three mana other than Sylvan Primordial, and that's more the sheer card advantage involved than it being a 6/8 with reach for eight mana. And this is no SP.
How so? Trample and reach are actually antagonistic, and reach has no special synergy with shade.
But, but...Attacking with an 8/8 trampler and you have enough money left over to spend on Growths usually spells GG...
Congrats for reading the card. Now let's find mechanics that aren't strictly worse than what every other color gets.
If you pay the mana, and the hydra becomes 16/16 next turn and is definitely G to the G!
I'll stick to the Hydra.
On phasing:
Trample is the only thing missing on the giant. Maybe it doesn't fit with reach, but it fits with the 6/6(or 9/9). Also 3 devotion is a big selling point.
I understand that you think this is a trash rare that will ruin your boosters, but you can keep the discussion respectful. I was merely comparing both cards, even in the most obvious facets.
Nylea is a good way to give him trample. He has 3 green in his cost, so he'll almost always bring enough devotion to make her a creature.
Selesnya Charm also gives trample in G/W. Or Enlarge.
I don't think "strictly better" means what you think it means. This card costs 1 more mana than Advent of the Wurm, doesn't come out at instant speed, and can't be populated.
Seriously folks, I can understand misusing more complex/obscure terms, but "strictly better" should have pretty obvious meaning to anyone who knows the definition of the words. Make some effort to not toss around terms you don't understand...it's getting kinda annoying.
10c rare.
Nylea doesn't seem worth it in many decks. Maybe as a 2 of but hardly something I'd play as a 4 of or even a 3 of. Charm and Elarnge are terribad for trample as it only works once. Charm is good as a card in general but not as a good way to give him a constant trample which is what he needs.
Your correct I should not have used "strictly better" but rather "much better". Populate is a weak mechanic that doesn't see much constructive play. Please refrain from making assumptions about my ignorance when you have read all of one of my posts. Thank you. It gets annoying when people get their granny panties into a bunch over wording when the meaning is obvious.