Ugh... I wish Wizards would stop with the Hexproof. It's such a degenerate mechanic. Shroud at least was fair on both sides.
There's no doubt I will take a lot of damage from this guy.
Realistically, would shroud make this card any weaker? I see the argument with little dorks, but it's already a 6/6 trampler, do you really need to suit it up with auras or equipment?
He goes GREAT with Ajani Steadfast's +1, which you couldn't use on him if he had Shroud.
This creature is nice, but its morph cost is only 1 mana less than its normal cost, which, combined with the cost for summoning it face-down, makes me wonder why a player would ever want to use the morph ability; I presume that it is so the creature can be summoned early, when its controller has only a small amount of mana at their disposal, and then turned face-up when the player has more mana?
The main reason for morph to be on a card like this is for bluff potential. When any Rattleclaw Shaman you put face down could actually be one of these, you opponent needs to play around it all game. As many people have pointed out, the greater the diversity of constructed playable morph cards the more compelling these mind games become.
Morph also gives it kind of a psuedo haste, since you technically cast it face down, then turn it face up at 5 mana, and you can attack with it the turn you flip it up! Am I right?
I think this card is perfect. It's strong, resilient, and gives all kinds of players and formats a fun card. The only thing I could ask to change on it would be to make it a giant snake instead (more fitting for blue-green and the jungle) but I guess I can't win them all haha
Can the morph dodge targeting because of hexproof? I'm not sure how this works what with morph not using the stack...
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My favorite flavor text: Time of Heroes
Feel free to tell me yours!
This creature is nice, but its morph cost is only 1 mana less than its normal cost, which, combined with the cost for summoning it face-down, makes me wonder why a player would ever want to use the morph ability; I presume that it is so the creature can be summoned early, when its controller has only a small amount of mana at their disposal, and then turned face-up when the player has more mana?
The main reason for morph to be on a card like this is for bluff potential. When any Rattleclaw Shaman you put face down could actually be one of these, you opponent needs to play around it all game. As many people have pointed out, the greater the diversity of constructed playable morph cards the more compelling these mind games become.
Morph also gives it kind of a psuedo haste, since you technically cast it face down, then turn it face up at 5 mana, and you can attack with it the turn you flip it up! Am I right?
I think this card is perfect. It's strong, resilient, and gives all kinds of players and formats a fun card. The only thing I could ask to change on it would be to make it a giant snake instead (more fitting for blue-green and the jungle) but I guess I can't win them all haha
Can the morph dodge targeting because of hexproof? I'm not sure how this works what with morph not using the stack...
Yes if they doom blade it and you morph in response he will gain hexproof and become an illegal target. Countering the doomblade.
Although this is "only" a french vanilla (only basic keywords, no ETB-effect or something like that tacked on), it's a pretty pushed one. This could see play in standard because of its raw power.
I also think that the use of Hexproof on this card is OK. Hexproof is really annoying if it's on small creatures like Invisible Stalker or Gladecover Scout, because putting those in your deck results in a pretty boring gameplay where you just spam small hexproof critters and auras and/or equipment. There's nothing wrong with a good defensive ability on one of your high-CMC finishers though, and this beast certainly is one. Also, it's not like you can't answer it - a wrath has already been spoiled, and there will certainly be sacrifice effects.
This creature makes me giddy with the idea of a UGW Skybind deck. Flip it either with mana or on a skybind trigger. The more I see of this set, the more I'm excited for a Skybind control deck.
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MTG Junky... First packs being a starter of each 4th Edition and Ice Age. Good Grief, I've been playing since 1995? Where does the time go!
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this is mtgs, where occam's razor is so blunt it can't cut jello any more.
italofoca: My current theory on Watermarks is that it follows normal rules, except that two-color cards that are flavorfully oriented towards the Clan that is not primary in that color combination doesn't get the watermark.
So the Aven gets the Temur watermark because UG is primary in UG.
Sagu Mauler does not get a watermark, because it's 'affiliated' with the Sultai Clan, and Sultai isn't primary in UG.
Although the total cost to morph and turn it face up is 2 more than hard-casting it, keep in mind that using the morph (assuming you're just going to blindly ignore possible removal spells) means you get to start attacking two turns earlier than if you hard-cast it. Think of the extra 2 + vulnerability to removal as a kicker cost for getting super haste.
Obviously if you top-deck this while you already have 6 mana up you're never going to play it for morph.
I think most of the time you won't cast it for the Morph cost as players will be suspicious about morph cards and destroy them on sight whenever possible. But a 6/6 for 6 with trample AND hexproof is amazing in Limited.
This creature is nice, but its morph cost is only 1 mana less than its normal cost, which, combined with the cost for summoning it face-down, makes me wonder why a player would ever want to use the morph ability; I presume that it is so the creature can be summoned early, when its controller has only a small amount of mana at their disposal, and then turned face-up when the player has more mana?
The main reason for morph to be on a card like this is for bluff potential. When any Rattleclaw Shaman you put face down could actually be one of these, you opponent needs to play around it all game. As many people have pointed out, the greater the diversity of constructed playable morph cards the more compelling these mind games become.
Morph also gives it kind of a psuedo haste, since you technically cast it face down, then turn it face up at 5 mana, and you can attack with it the turn you flip it up! Am I right?
I think this card is perfect. It's strong, resilient, and gives all kinds of players and formats a fun card. The only thing I could ask to change on it would be to make it a giant snake instead (more fitting for blue-green and the jungle) but I guess I can't win them all haha
Yes. It's considered the same creature, regardless of if it's currently morphed or not.
Something to keep in mind, also, is that turning the creature face up does *not* use the stack, and cannot be responded to. So if you pay the morph cost, and your opponent realizes what you have, they can't cast an instant to kill your creature. They have to do that before you even pay the Morph cost to flip it.
Sagu Mauler does not get a watermark, because it's 'affiliated' with the Sultai Clan, and Sultai isn't primary in UG.
A 6/6 trample Sultai rather than Temur, REALLY?
This can't be the answer.
It's flavored heavily towards being a part of the Sagu jungles, which is where the Sultai are located. It's not really a Sultai card, however, as it's a wild beast, but it's not a Temur card either. It's just located in the environment of the Sultai.
Sagu Mauler does not get a watermark, because it's 'affiliated' with the Sultai Clan, and Sultai isn't primary in UG.
A 6/6 trample Sultai rather than Temur, REALLY?
This can't be the answer.
No, this is the answer.
Cards with watermarks are specifically flavored towards specific guilds, clans, factions, etc. There are many ways to look at cards, here are a few. Even if a card shares the colors of that clan or faction, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a part of that faction. For instance, using Ravnica as a watermark example, ultimate price would appear to be an Orzhov card because it shows an Orzhov creature killing a man, however there is no watermark. That means it's not affiliated with that guild in any special way, except for sharing a color with the guild as well as art. On the other hand, Icefeather Aven could have connection to Temur because of whatever reason, maybe they're specifically part of that faction. Our Sagu friend here is much like ultimate price. It does not have the watermark because it could be in either clan, but it's not specifically part of a clan, yet can be used by either clan just because of the color crossover.
To summarize this, basically wizards picks the cards for flavor and what is fitting to most clans. Sagu Mauler is neither Temur or Sultai, but both. It's a wild creature. Obviously the Sagu seems more Temur, but it can easily be a Sultai beast just as easily. They do mention jungles, and last time I checked the Temur's realm is far from being a jungle.
I definitely see this being playable in multiple archetypes. I definitely can see it in Chord decks, UG monsters, and UG Devotion. I'm also not totally against this being a 2-3 of finisher in control decks. I like it against control decks too, being able to play it as a 2/2 on T3 or whenever your opponent doesn't have counter mana up is great. Granted, there's a LOT of cards to be spoiled, but this is a strong candidate for a finisher in a lot of decks as of now.
This is really, really boring design. Is it good? Yeah. But it's boring.
Nooo, really?
I strongly dislike hexproof (which makes games fairly non-interactive), but as for the card itself:
It's a clean, elegant looking design, that manages cleverly combines two of the best morph traps on one card. You can trap them in combat with a surprise 6/6 trampler OR you can trap them in spellslinging by making their kill spell fizzle. A simple design, but one that's hiding a lot of trickiness and should be fun to play with.
It'll be like those games where you hit a morph creature and it's a whipcorder........then he flips the other and it's exalted angel.
I really hope that there'll be situations like this in constructed. Sagu Mauler and Rattleclaw Mystic both seem constructed playable already, ad if even more playable morphs get released (I don't think Icefeather Aven is good enough for Standard, unfortunaley...), the surprise/bluff factor of morph could really start to show. Too bad that there's Thoughtseize...
Playing this for its morph cost seems counter-intuitive in the kind of deck that would want it - you are opening yourself up to removal that would otherwise not be an issue if you hardcasted it. Seems like a bad choice to "save" 1 mana (even though you are investing 3 to save 1 so it doesn't even play like that...) - morph is incredibly risky in constructed to begin with.
For those asking why there is no watermark: This is a savage non domesticated beast, how would it join a clan?
A lot of people are missing the point. A wild animal didn't just wander into the design file. Somewhere along the way someone in R&D decided this was how this card would be concepted. They could easily have made it a Temur or Sultai partisan. This is what people mean when they ask why it has no watermark. That answer is effectively just "It has no watermark because it has no watermark".
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He goes GREAT with Ajani Steadfast's +1, which you couldn't use on him if he had Shroud.
Can the morph dodge targeting because of hexproof? I'm not sure how this works what with morph not using the stack...
Feel free to tell me yours!
Yes if they doom blade it and you morph in response he will gain hexproof and become an illegal target. Countering the doomblade.
I also think that the use of Hexproof on this card is OK. Hexproof is really annoying if it's on small creatures like Invisible Stalker or Gladecover Scout, because putting those in your deck results in a pretty boring gameplay where you just spam small hexproof critters and auras and/or equipment. There's nothing wrong with a good defensive ability on one of your high-CMC finishers though, and this beast certainly is one. Also, it's not like you can't answer it - a wrath has already been spoiled, and there will certainly be sacrifice effects.
BGU Control
R Aggro
Standard - For Fun
BG Auras
So the Aven gets the Temur watermark because UG is primary in UG.
Sagu Mauler does not get a watermark, because it's 'affiliated' with the Sultai Clan, and Sultai isn't primary in UG.
Utter End can be seen as the same with Mardu.
Obviously if you top-deck this while you already have 6 mana up you're never going to play it for morph.
Yes. It's considered the same creature, regardless of if it's currently morphed or not.
Something to keep in mind, also, is that turning the creature face up does *not* use the stack, and cannot be responded to. So if you pay the morph cost, and your opponent realizes what you have, they can't cast an instant to kill your creature. They have to do that before you even pay the Morph cost to flip it.
It's flavored heavily towards being a part of the Sagu jungles, which is where the Sultai are located. It's not really a Sultai card, however, as it's a wild beast, but it's not a Temur card either. It's just located in the environment of the Sultai.
More or less.
special thanks to sentimentgx4 for the sig
Pourquoi?
No, this is the answer.
Cards with watermarks are specifically flavored towards specific guilds, clans, factions, etc. There are many ways to look at cards, here are a few. Even if a card shares the colors of that clan or faction, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a part of that faction. For instance, using Ravnica as a watermark example, ultimate price would appear to be an Orzhov card because it shows an Orzhov creature killing a man, however there is no watermark. That means it's not affiliated with that guild in any special way, except for sharing a color with the guild as well as art. On the other hand, Icefeather Aven could have connection to Temur because of whatever reason, maybe they're specifically part of that faction. Our Sagu friend here is much like ultimate price. It does not have the watermark because it could be in either clan, but it's not specifically part of a clan, yet can be used by either clan just because of the color crossover.
To summarize this, basically wizards picks the cards for flavor and what is fitting to most clans. Sagu Mauler is neither Temur or Sultai, but both. It's a wild creature. Obviously the Sagu seems more Temur, but it can easily be a Sultai beast just as easily. They do mention jungles, and last time I checked the Temur's realm is far from being a jungle.
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Now all we need is strong auras/equipment that are friendly with the Green base.
Playtesting | Karador, Ghost Chieftain | Narset, Enlightened Master | Ephara, God of the Polis
Established | Gahiji, Honored One | Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker | Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo | Rubinia Soulsinger
Retired | Medomai the Ageless | Diaochan, Artful Beauty
It'll be like those games where you hit a morph creature and it's a whipcorder........then he flips the other and it's exalted angel.
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/developing-competitive-modern/598381-kiki-chord-kiki-company
Bring to Niv
https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/814060-bring-to-niv-the-golden-deck
Legacy - Lands
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/legacy-type-1-5/established-legacy/control/535484-primer-lands
3 Horizon Chimera
4 Rattleclaw Mystic
4 Sylvan Caryatid
7 others theaths
4 Dissipate
2 Ætherspouts
2 See the Unwritten
23 lands
could work also could easily bbe UGR with R being splashed (add fetchland and mountain)
Nooo, really?
I strongly dislike hexproof (which makes games fairly non-interactive), but as for the card itself:
It's a clean, elegant looking design, that manages cleverly combines two of the best morph traps on one card. You can trap them in combat with a surprise 6/6 trampler OR you can trap them in spellslinging by making their kill spell fizzle. A simple design, but one that's hiding a lot of trickiness and should be fun to play with.
I really hope that there'll be situations like this in constructed. Sagu Mauler and Rattleclaw Mystic both seem constructed playable already, ad if even more playable morphs get released (I don't think Icefeather Aven is good enough for Standard, unfortunaley...), the surprise/bluff factor of morph could really start to show. Too bad that there's Thoughtseize...
Why not Prophet decks?
A lot of people are missing the point. A wild animal didn't just wander into the design file. Somewhere along the way someone in R&D decided this was how this card would be concepted. They could easily have made it a Temur or Sultai partisan. This is what people mean when they ask why it has no watermark. That answer is effectively just "It has no watermark because it has no watermark".