I'm not sure how to evaluate this card. He's definitely not "OMG SO CRAY CRAY." My knee jerk reaction is that he's a little underwhelming, but then I don't play any sanctioned constructed formats, so...
In my fave format, EDH, he's not so hot. I do like new Sarkhan, though.
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If his +1 gave vigilance as well I'd rather this card extremely high. As it is the problem I have is he is underwhelming on an empty board. +1 that does nothing or -2 for a 4 mana 2/2 flyer that presumably becomes a 3/2 lifelink next turn. He's not going to be the card control is looking for like the last Sorin was in esper control for awhile, but in a deck that reliably creates early aggression (Brimaz is probably the poster child for pairing with Sorin) he can be quite the house against opposing aggression.
Another 4cc WB Sorin, looks pretty good this time too.
The -2 for a 2/2 flying token ability gives a nice way to protect itself, add to your board position and the +1 for a mass +1/+0 and lifelink can be a very potent ability with a weenie/token hoard potentially creating a huge life swing. The opponent only Abyss ultimate is also a solid ability and with a starting loyalty of 4 and a cost of only -6 it's pretty easy to achieve.
All in all another very nice Walker, wizards have really managed to get better at making them, the changing thought in what an Ultimate should be is also interesting with all originally ultimates pretty much = a potential win the game effect and these newer ultimates Sarkhan/Sorin etc. being good but gradual advantage engines, which don't kick in immediately in terms of value.
Does the +1 ability only affect creatures you control when it resolves? Or does it affect any creature you control until your next turn like a static +1/+1 anthem effect from Spear of Heliod?
As a relevant example, say I +1 Sorin during my turn and then block with Brimaz during my opponent's turn while my +1 is active. Does the cat soldier get +1/+0 lifelink?
His final ability is kinda mean. A non-color discriminate The Abyss you can't really deal with besides killing the person who activated that ability :3c
I am very impressed by this new Sorin, but is it not too soon for him to be a major character in the story, again?
Also, what reason does he have to be on Tarkir? That seems almost as random as Tamiyo being on Innistrad, in my mind.
Why is it that this version of Sorin's token-generating ability decreases his loyalty, while the same ability on his previous incarnation increased his loyalty? Is it because the creature generated is more powerful?
His final ability is definitely very powerful and nasty, and I expect that players shall be most eager to use that ability to crush their opponents' board presence.
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Sorin at least had a direct relationship with Ugin, who he was supposed to be good friends with. It makes sense that he'd go looking for Ugin when he probably hasn't had contact with him for a while when he needs help sealing the Eldrazi back up. I think it makes fine sense that he would show up now in the story, as well, since we're ramping up to Return to Zendikar pretty hard, and he was a major player in the previous Zendikar.
Also, his token generation is probably on his minus because he has such high starting loyalty for such a low costing ultimate. If he were to have his token generation be his plus, he would be able to reach his ult very quickly while directly defending himself. It would be very difficult for non-swarm decks to respond to him before he was able to get his ultimate off, unless they were to use a direct damage/targeted destruction effect on him. (Ironically, the decks that would have the easiest time with him would be the ones that care the least about his ultimate).
Planeswalker abilities don't exist in a vacuum; you have to take the other abilities of the 'walker into consideration to understand why the card is set up the way it is.
Why is it that this version of Sorin's token-generating ability decreases his loyalty, while the same ability on his previous incarnation increased his loyalty? Is it because the creature generated is more powerful?
Previous version was at home in Innistrad, where were a plenty of vampires around. I guess, it's a bit more difficult to get one on Tarkir =)
I am very impressed by this new Sorin, but is it not too soon for him to be a major character in the story, again?
He wasn't a very major character in Innistrad, so its not really too soon, plus Elspeth was in Shards of Alara and then Scars of Mirrodin, a a lot closer together then Innistrad and Tarkir are.
Also, what reason does he have to be on Tarkir? That seems almost as random as Tamiyo being on Innistrad, in my mind.
Sorins looking for Ugin, same as Sarkhan, which is a better reason then why Tamiyo was on Innistrad.
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He's decent, but seriously, who wanted *another* B/W Sorin?
Not bloody me.
I'm irritated that they can't divorce the idea that one must be white to be good.
Jace is good and he is still monoblue.
And Sorin was good and monoblack in Zendikar.
They attributed his white splash to nostalgia on Innistra, so trying to justify this now is irksome.
It was also justified because he cares about the many when it comes to the Eldrazi. He had come to Tarkir to find Ugin to help face the Eldrazi again. His black is because he doesn't care about smaller individuals who are hurt in his processes, and what he is doing is technically in the selfish reason to save his home plane. His white comes that he is trying to be a protector of, at the very least, Innistrad. He stopped the human extinction with Avacyn. He was saving the Multiverse, but probably really only cared about Innistrad in the end, by locking the Eldrazi away again. He came to Tarkir with a white goal of protection in mind. He wanted to find Ugin to help protect planes from being consumed. He still acted black, such as turning the poor Temur guy into a vampire to take him to Ugin. If it wasn't for the time travelness of the block, I'd say the revelation of Ugin's death would have sapped the white from Sorin completely. There'd be no real way, in his mind, to stop the Eldrazi; he might as well give up and just do what he pleases until the end. With Ugin being likely revived, however....I think until his only real concern about the Eldrazi are gone, he's gonna be BW. Maybe after that we can see a return of him being mono-black. Or at least A new mono-black walker. And a mono-green one if Garruk's gone Golgari forever now.
Modern: UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy: UWBMiracles
Edh: UUUThassa Control WWWHokori Stax GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy BBBGriselbrand French List RBGShattergang(Super Villians) RWGHazezon Flicker UBRMarchesa Aggro URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
Pretty annoyed at how similar he is to Lord of Innistrad, but he seems at least decent. Loses the ability to drop an unremovable anthem upon ETB, but gains improved tokens, lifelink, and a powerful and attainable ultimate. I do like that his +1 lasts on the opponent's turn, letting you block effectively for life gain. Brimaz into this will be nice, and Raise the Alarm adds token-producing potential, but unless there is mana fixing to go Mardu tokens then RW still seems the better option.
Overall: seems slightly worse than Lord of Innistrad, but LoI was playable and there are some solid token cards staying through rotation, so new WB token Sorin v2 could definitely see play
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T2 Intangible Virtue
T3 Spectral Procession
T4 This Sorin, use +1
are people really underestimating three 3/2 flying lifelink vigilance creatures that are coming in and then blocking???
I hope you're not worried about limited balance on a mythic rare
In my fave format, EDH, he's not so hot. I do like new Sarkhan, though.
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Hoping the remain walker throughout the rest in a block is new walker though....
The -2 for a 2/2 flying token ability gives a nice way to protect itself, add to your board position and the +1 for a mass +1/+0 and lifelink can be a very potent ability with a weenie/token hoard potentially creating a huge life swing. The opponent only Abyss ultimate is also a solid ability and with a starting loyalty of 4 and a cost of only -6 it's pretty easy to achieve.
All in all another very nice Walker, wizards have really managed to get better at making them, the changing thought in what an Ultimate should be is also interesting with all originally ultimates pretty much = a potential win the game effect and these newer ultimates Sarkhan/Sorin etc. being good but gradual advantage engines, which don't kick in immediately in terms of value.
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I like the idea that they're the returning characters that travel with us through new sets.
This guy is fairly solid but not amazing. It will need a lot of cards to work with it.
Either a fast weenie strategy to tip the race in your favour with the +1 or a control deck finishing opponents off with the -2.
I think the slow beatdown with 2/2 vamps in the late game is going to be a thing.
As a relevant example, say I +1 Sorin during my turn and then block with Brimaz during my opponent's turn while my +1 is active. Does the cat soldier get +1/+0 lifelink?
UBRGrixis Kiki Control
BGUSultai Shadow
GWRBushwhacker Zoo
EDH:
BGU Sidisi, Brood Tyrant
UBR Marchesa, the Black Rose
GWU Roon of the Hidden Realm
here http: //www.mtgsalvation.com/userblogs/fire10798/37327-why-there-is-a-very-good-chance-that-the-eldrazi
UBRGrixis Kiki Control
BGUSultai Shadow
GWRBushwhacker Zoo
EDH:
BGU Sidisi, Brood Tyrant
UBR Marchesa, the Black Rose
GWU Roon of the Hidden Realm
Also, what reason does he have to be on Tarkir? That seems almost as random as Tamiyo being on Innistrad, in my mind.
Why is it that this version of Sorin's token-generating ability decreases his loyalty, while the same ability on his previous incarnation increased his loyalty? Is it because the creature generated is more powerful?
His final ability is definitely very powerful and nasty, and I expect that players shall be most eager to use that ability to crush their opponents' board presence.
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Also, his token generation is probably on his minus because he has such high starting loyalty for such a low costing ultimate. If he were to have his token generation be his plus, he would be able to reach his ult very quickly while directly defending himself. It would be very difficult for non-swarm decks to respond to him before he was able to get his ultimate off, unless they were to use a direct damage/targeted destruction effect on him. (Ironically, the decks that would have the easiest time with him would be the ones that care the least about his ultimate).
Planeswalker abilities don't exist in a vacuum; you have to take the other abilities of the 'walker into consideration to understand why the card is set up the way it is.
Previous version was at home in Innistrad, where were a plenty of vampires around. I guess, it's a bit more difficult to get one on Tarkir =)
I'm irritated that they can't divorce the idea that one must be white to be good.
He wasn't a very major character in Innistrad, so its not really too soon, plus Elspeth was in Shards of Alara and then Scars of Mirrodin, a a lot closer together then Innistrad and Tarkir are.
Sorins looking for Ugin, same as Sarkhan, which is a better reason then why Tamiyo was on Innistrad.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Jace is good and he is still monoblue.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
And Sorin was good and monoblack in Zendikar.
They attributed his white splash to nostalgia on Innistra, so trying to justify this now is irksome.
It was also justified because he cares about the many when it comes to the Eldrazi. He had come to Tarkir to find Ugin to help face the Eldrazi again. His black is because he doesn't care about smaller individuals who are hurt in his processes, and what he is doing is technically in the selfish reason to save his home plane. His white comes that he is trying to be a protector of, at the very least, Innistrad. He stopped the human extinction with Avacyn. He was saving the Multiverse, but probably really only cared about Innistrad in the end, by locking the Eldrazi away again. He came to Tarkir with a white goal of protection in mind. He wanted to find Ugin to help protect planes from being consumed. He still acted black, such as turning the poor Temur guy into a vampire to take him to Ugin. If it wasn't for the time travelness of the block, I'd say the revelation of Ugin's death would have sapped the white from Sorin completely. There'd be no real way, in his mind, to stop the Eldrazi; he might as well give up and just do what he pleases until the end. With Ugin being likely revived, however....I think until his only real concern about the Eldrazi are gone, he's gonna be BW. Maybe after that we can see a return of him being mono-black. Or at least A new mono-black walker. And a mono-green one if Garruk's gone Golgari forever now.
Could've costed 1WB, or made his token production a 0 ability maybe at the cost of a point of power.
Draft it Here!
UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy:
UWBMiracles
Edh:
UUUThassa Control
WWWHokori Stax
GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy
BBBGriselbrand French List
RBGShattergang(Super Villians)
RWGHazezon Flicker
UBRMarchesa Aggro
URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
Overall: seems slightly worse than Lord of Innistrad, but LoI was playable and there are some solid token cards staying through rotation, so new WB token Sorin v2 could definitely see play