They could've slapped "exile two cards" and "once a turn" instead of the oppressive mana cost onto either ability (even just one of them) and it would be 5x better
Seems like a solid card in green/black devotion now that we have Urborg. Could easily beat face the turn after it is played and is extremely difficult to kill. I think in that specific deck it can do work but probably not anywhere else.
I'm not sure if you are trolling or not, but most of the above posts are exactly right...the rare slots are full of cards that should be uncommon, this *****ty cat is one of them. out of the cards you listed only rattle claw mystic should be in the uncommon slot, maybe Mantis rider, hard to say I don't play limited, but there are plenty of other examples of rares in this set that should be uncommon. That being said, the flavor of this set is awesome, I'm just a little underwhelmed at the shifts in rarity so far, but i'll wait until the whole set is released to pass judgement.
See, I don't get you. You say that the rare slots are full of cards that should be uncommon, and yet out of all the cards I listed you say only one should be uncommon. I don't follow. What's the harm in putting efficient removal like Crackling Doom and big-impact creatures like Avalanche Tusker and Ankle Shanker at lower rarities? Blightning and Bloodbraid Elf were uncommons too.
I mean, remember when Goblin Guide, Burst Lightning, Doom Blade, Gatekeeper of Malakir and Vengevine were in Standard at the same time? Did they break the game? No! Zendikar's Standard environment proves that the stronger the power level of the cards, the better it is for the game.
What I especially love out of all these "it should be an uncommon because I don't want this to be the rare in my pack" is the complaining for the sake of it
Clearly anyone who thinks this should be an uncommon doesn't play limited and, I must ask, why are you opening packs if you aren't playing limited?! People who randomly buy packs are casuals and they, most likely, will love this card
So, yet again, all we have is children trying to sound smart...
I actually had a rogue deck that used Lotleth Troll to great affect. I tried several variations, but the real lesson for me was how powerful regeneration is as a mechanic. Just knowing I could regenerate my Lotleth changed the way opponents had to react to my plays. I used Varholz as well, along with aggressive one-drop creatures and at one point bloodrush creatures. Lotleth's big problem was the amount of card disadvantage he created, but don't think for a moment he wasn't powerful. He was resilient, evasive, and was one of the only 2-drop creatures in standard that could win a game on his own. However, we had little to no graveyard interactions (Gravecrawler), and his resilience didn't do enough to protect him from Bile Blight or Detention Sphere.
This guy has the same cost to play as Lotleth, but he doesn't rely on card disadvantage. Don't discount him early, as this is a different meta. I expect this meta to be heavily midrange, and he excels in that role. He can't easily be removed with spot removal, and won't die to any playable sweeper. He also trades with Courser (which is incredibly relevant) and can block fatties.
People are underestimating how powerful regeneration can be, and being able to use his pump multiple times is a nice bonus. The only real ways to deal with him are Utter End at 4CMC and Banishing Light, and he is better than basically every other Rootwalla in this type of metagame. It remains to be seen whether he finds a deck, but at least in a vacuum he is in a good position.
You are running it as a more "mana efficient card" when yours straight up gets outclassed late game.
You misunderstand.
If I'm playing beat-based aggro, I'm trying to ensure that there IS no late game.
Seriously, the midrange revolution has addled everybody's minds about mana intensity. Paying more for things is not upside.
If I'm playing a competitive Standard deck, I'm trying to make sure I have a fail safe. Seriously, the midrange revolution has addled everybody's mind about how the game is played.
What I especially love out of all these "it should be an uncommon because I don't want this to be the rare in my pack" is the complaining for the sake of it
Clearly anyone who thinks this should be an uncommon doesn't play limited and, I must ask, why are you opening packs if you aren't playing limited?! People who randomly buy packs are casuals and they, most likely, will love this card
So, yet again, all we have is children trying to sound smart...
Lmao here comes the authoritarian unofficial Wizards spokesperson who will never admit when something is boring or bad or a mistake. To you, homelands, kamigawa and dragons maze were all successes (and born of the gods)
What I especially love out of all these "it should be an uncommon because I don't want this to be the rare in my pack" is the complaining for the sake of it
Clearly anyone who thinks this should be an uncommon doesn't play limited and, I must ask, why are you opening packs if you aren't playing limited?! People who randomly buy packs are casuals and they, most likely, will love this card
So, yet again, all we have is children trying to sound smart...
This card in particular would not break Limited at uncommon. I wouldn't even call it a bomb... Limited playable, sure.
Some of the other pseudo-rares certainly would break Limited. But this thread isn't really about those. So I don't see the need for the indictment.
If I'm playing a competitive Standard deck, I'm trying to make sure I have a fail safe. Seriously, the midrange revolution has addled everybody's mind about how the game is played.
What I especially love out of all these "it should be an uncommon because I don't want this to be the rare in my pack" is the complaining for the sake of it
Clearly anyone who thinks this should be an uncommon doesn't play limited and, I must ask, why are you opening packs if you aren't playing limited?! People who randomly buy packs are casuals and they, most likely, will love this card
So, yet again, all we have is children trying to sound smart...
This card in particular would not break Limited at uncommon. I wouldn't even call it a bomb... playable, sure.
Some of the other pseudo-rares certainly would. But this thread isn't really about those.
This thing would be a nightmare at uncommon: imagine having to deal with multiple ones considering all the good removal is also at uncommon. It is far too powerful and versatile to be at uncommon considering the pump ability is unrestricted.
I'm not sure if you are trolling or not, but most of the above posts are exactly right...the rare slots are full of cards that should be uncommon, this *****ty cat is one of them. out of the cards you listed only rattle claw mystic should be in the uncommon slot, maybe Mantis rider, hard to say I don't play limited, but there are plenty of other examples of rares in this set that should be uncommon. That being said, the flavor of this set is awesome, I'm just a little underwhelmed at the shifts in rarity so far, but i'll wait until the whole set is released to pass judgement.
See, I don't get you. You say that the rare slots are full of cards that should be uncommon, and yet out of all the cards I listed you say only one should be uncommon. I don't follow. What's the harm in putting efficient removal like Crackling Doom and big-impact creatures like Avalanche Tusker and Ankle Shanker at lower rarities? Blightning and Bloodbraid Elf were uncommons too.
Tusker and doom could maybe be uncommon and still lead to a good format but ankle shanker could not be uncommon that card is absurd in limited when removal is at a premium
The stronger the power level the better it is for the game?!
Hahaha, clearly you were not around in 1998 and 2003
What is it with bad players thinking that power level means anything to how fun it is to play? Just because you play with powerful effects does not make you a good player. Making good decisions based on what's available is what makes you a good player
It's a moral failing on Wizards' part. If you had a carton of eggs and you get one bad egg, that's a bad box of eggs. Why can't it be the same with boosters?
Well, doesn't this phrase looks familiar...
On the subject of the actual card, *shrug.* I play Limited. Threat of Activation is always nice. It's a Bear. It does things. Doesn't feel like much to complain about.
Constructed wise...well, there's always something to complain about in Constructed.
You can only threaten pump with Rakshasa Deathdealer so long as you have open mana.
Sure, this does mean Rakshasa beats Putrid Leech at a straightforward endgame race with loads of mana on each side.
But they're both 2drops, and Leech can be dropped quite safely on turn 2. Not so for Rakshasa, who will get picked off by whatever shock variant your opponent may have.
Part of these creatures' appeal is being able to threaten the pump Vs an opponent's low-end removal for value. It keeps you swinging for 2 each turn, and pressure on the opponent.
The on-play vulnerability of Rakshasa means you have to wait until turn 4 to play this 2-drop safely. This loses you a lot of tempo.
Then there's the fact that you have to specifically hold up BG. This won't always be so easy in standard, and even then you have to keep your mana back.
Another issue is running the card in multiples.
I can drop a T2 or T3 Putrid Leech, or 2x Putrid Leech on T4. And they'll all have their safety pumps ready.
Every Rakshasa you run impedes your ability to pump, or even play, another copy. I've already covered how poorly it fares T2 and T3.
Let's suppose you want to play two on T4 for some reason? There's not much point, because you won't be adding much more pressure in power. Not without giving up your T5 mana.
The life loss and once-per-turn limitation of Putrid Leech is generally worth the efficiency of +2/+2 for zero mana.
I don't think Rakshasa is a bad card, but it's cooler than it is reliable.
You don't call "dying to removal" if the removal is more expensive in resources than the creature. If you have to spend BG (Abrupt Decay), or W + basic land (PtE) to remove a 1G, that is not "dying to removal". Strictly speaking Goyf dies to removal, but actually your removal is dying to Goyf.
They could've slapped "exile two cards" and "once a turn" instead of the oppressive mana cost onto either ability (even just one of them) and it would be 5x better
Oppressive? We will have at least 2 duel lands (both will enter tapped but also don't need to be played in a heavy green deck), at least 1 fetch land that will be played in a green deck splashing black, and Urborg that just laugh at the notion that GB is an oppressive mana cost. What would you have the mana cost be if it was only once a turn to activate? G? Exile two from the yard would fit in with Sultari's mechanic being Delve but also is currently almost impossible to activate early game and too insignificant late game.
What's the current T2 drop for mono-green devotion? Burning Tree, Scavenging Ooze, Voyaging Satyr, and Courser. Two of those are rotating, one is only as good or better then Rakshasa with Nykthos out, and the last is a 3 drop. This is as good or better then Voyaging Satyr as an aggressive creature.
Eh, seems like a worse Putrid Leech a lot of the time. Not sure this needed to be rare but I guess it could be semi-annoying having too many of them running around in limited.
Just because you play with powerful effects does not make you a good player. Making good decisions based on what's available is what makes you a good player
This is true.
But when you've played with the good stuff, aren't you just a little disappointed by the bad stuff?
That said, for all anybody here knows, KTK Limited could turn out to be greatest draft format ever conceived by WotC. The set could be full of Constructed turds and still play sweet as sugar in Limited.
i get that in this format it probably makes sense - they are obviously trying to go for a really balanced power level in this set (you can tell just by looking at the spoilers) but it's still kind of a shame. bear's a bear.
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Modern: G Tron, Vannifar, Jund, Druid/Vizier combo, Humans, Eldrazi Stompy (Serum Powder), Amulet, Grishoalbrand, Breach Titan, Turns, Eternal Command, As Foretold Living End, Elves, Cheerios, RUG Scapeshift
Also people need to stop comparing this to Putrid Leech
Different cards in different environments do different things. Context matters and is, in fact, one of the biggest factors when determining the power level of card; it's also why an incredible amount of posters on here are terrible at evaluating cards and making decks
The only time this and the leech should be compared is for formats where they are both legal: Legacy, Vintage and Commander
I doubt leech sees play in Legacy so the comparisons are stupid
But when you've played with the good stuff, aren't you just a little disappointed by the bad stuff?
That said, for all anybody here knows, KTK Limited could turn out to be greatest draft format ever conceived by WotC. Constructed turds have very little bearing on that.
So why can't they bump all the rares down to uncommons, then? If it would make a good Constructed, then it would make a good Limited. Lingering Souls was an uncommon, and it was really good in both formats.
The last time a set was made for Limited, we got Coldsnap. The last time a set was made for Constructed, we got Modern Masters.
I think some people are overrating this card. It will not break limited in half if it was uncommon.
Suppose I've vanilla 4/5; would you spend 6 colored mana to kill it knowing I've open mana and a grip full of hand? A 2/2 is a 2/2 at the end of the day. Threat of activation will only threaten you so much if you've the mana for it. Don't give yourselves perfect scenarios of BBBBGGGG open and opponents having nothing.
Yes we need mana sinks from now and then but as rancoredelf says, this is 2014. Creature creep isn't as scary anymore. I would expect it to be 3/3 at the very least.
And Demon? Don't get me started on black's iconic race. Demons should be bigger than this.
This card is the perfect example of creature de-creep and rarity creep.
Trivia: If someone Lightning Bolts this guy, is it better to use the first or second ability? I don't suppose it matters as much, coz I find it funny that both can fulfil the same thing. Poor design.
If it would make a good Constructed, then it would make a good Limited.
Oh, man.
Are you sure you're not Poe's Lawing this discussion?
Well, let's entertain the thought anyway. When was the last time a good Limited led to a good Constructed? I'm not being facetious here, I am genuinely curious.
See, I don't get you. You say that the rare slots are full of cards that should be uncommon, and yet out of all the cards I listed you say only one should be uncommon. I don't follow. What's the harm in putting efficient removal like Crackling Doom and big-impact creatures like Avalanche Tusker and Ankle Shanker at lower rarities? Blightning and Bloodbraid Elf were uncommons too.
I mean, remember when Goblin Guide, Burst Lightning, Doom Blade, Gatekeeper of Malakir and Vengevine were in Standard at the same time? Did they break the game? No! Zendikar's Standard environment proves that the stronger the power level of the cards, the better it is for the game.
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Club Flamingo Wins: 10
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EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------
Clearly anyone who thinks this should be an uncommon doesn't play limited and, I must ask, why are you opening packs if you aren't playing limited?! People who randomly buy packs are casuals and they, most likely, will love this card
So, yet again, all we have is children trying to sound smart...
This guy has the same cost to play as Lotleth, but he doesn't rely on card disadvantage. Don't discount him early, as this is a different meta. I expect this meta to be heavily midrange, and he excels in that role. He can't easily be removed with spot removal, and won't die to any playable sweeper. He also trades with Courser (which is incredibly relevant) and can block fatties.
People are underestimating how powerful regeneration can be, and being able to use his pump multiple times is a nice bonus. The only real ways to deal with him are Utter End at 4CMC and Banishing Light, and he is better than basically every other Rootwalla in this type of metagame. It remains to be seen whether he finds a deck, but at least in a vacuum he is in a good position.
Many thanks to DNC at Heroes of the Plane Studios
Lmao here comes the authoritarian unofficial Wizards spokesperson who will never admit when something is boring or bad or a mistake. To you, homelands, kamigawa and dragons maze were all successes (and born of the gods)
Some of the other pseudo-rares certainly would break Limited. But this thread isn't really about those. So I don't see the need for the indictment.
Then you're probably playing a deck in which neither Putrid Leech nor Rakshasa Deathdealer is an ideal fit.
(In the case of Rakshasa Deathdealer, that's because there is never an ideal fit for skilltesters.)
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
This thing would be a nightmare at uncommon: imagine having to deal with multiple ones considering all the good removal is also at uncommon. It is far too powerful and versatile to be at uncommon considering the pump ability is unrestricted.
Tusker and doom could maybe be uncommon and still lead to a good format but ankle shanker could not be uncommon that card is absurd in limited when removal is at a premium
Hahaha, clearly you were not around in 1998 and 2003
What is it with bad players thinking that power level means anything to how fun it is to play? Just because you play with powerful effects does not make you a good player. Making good decisions based on what's available is what makes you a good player
Well, doesn't this phrase looks familiar...
On the subject of the actual card, *shrug.* I play Limited. Threat of Activation is always nice. It's a Bear. It does things. Doesn't feel like much to complain about.
Constructed wise...well, there's always something to complain about in Constructed.
Sure, this does mean Rakshasa beats Putrid Leech at a straightforward endgame race with loads of mana on each side.
But they're both 2drops, and Leech can be dropped quite safely on turn 2. Not so for Rakshasa, who will get picked off by whatever shock variant your opponent may have.
Part of these creatures' appeal is being able to threaten the pump Vs an opponent's low-end removal for value. It keeps you swinging for 2 each turn, and pressure on the opponent.
The on-play vulnerability of Rakshasa means you have to wait until turn 4 to play this 2-drop safely. This loses you a lot of tempo.
Then there's the fact that you have to specifically hold up BG. This won't always be so easy in standard, and even then you have to keep your mana back.
Another issue is running the card in multiples.
I can drop a T2 or T3 Putrid Leech, or 2x Putrid Leech on T4. And they'll all have their safety pumps ready.
Every Rakshasa you run impedes your ability to pump, or even play, another copy. I've already covered how poorly it fares T2 and T3.
Let's suppose you want to play two on T4 for some reason? There's not much point, because you won't be adding much more pressure in power. Not without giving up your T5 mana.
The life loss and once-per-turn limitation of Putrid Leech is generally worth the efficiency of +2/+2 for zero mana.
I don't think Rakshasa is a bad card, but it's cooler than it is reliable.
"OH GOD MY BRAIN IS EXPLOADING AT HOW BAD THE ART IS ON MY OWN CARD"
-A friend's first impression of Ancestral Recall
10/10, I tapped.
Oppressive? We will have at least 2 duel lands (both will enter tapped but also don't need to be played in a heavy green deck), at least 1 fetch land that will be played in a green deck splashing black, and Urborg that just laugh at the notion that GB is an oppressive mana cost. What would you have the mana cost be if it was only once a turn to activate? G? Exile two from the yard would fit in with Sultari's mechanic being Delve but also is currently almost impossible to activate early game and too insignificant late game.
What's the current T2 drop for mono-green devotion? Burning Tree, Scavenging Ooze, Voyaging Satyr, and Courser. Two of those are rotating, one is only as good or better then Rakshasa with Nykthos out, and the last is a 3 drop. This is as good or better then Voyaging Satyr as an aggressive creature.
But when you've played with the good stuff, aren't you just a little disappointed by the bad stuff?
That said, for all anybody here knows, KTK Limited could turn out to be greatest draft format ever conceived by WotC. The set could be full of Constructed turds and still play sweet as sugar in Limited.
shame it's rare though.
i get that in this format it probably makes sense - they are obviously trying to go for a really balanced power level in this set (you can tell just by looking at the spoilers) but it's still kind of a shame. bear's a bear.
Different cards in different environments do different things. Context matters and is, in fact, one of the biggest factors when determining the power level of card; it's also why an incredible amount of posters on here are terrible at evaluating cards and making decks
The only time this and the leech should be compared is for formats where they are both legal: Legacy, Vintage and Commander
I doubt leech sees play in Legacy so the comparisons are stupid
So why can't they bump all the rares down to uncommons, then? If it would make a good Constructed, then it would make a good Limited. Lingering Souls was an uncommon, and it was really good in both formats.
The last time a set was made for Limited, we got Coldsnap. The last time a set was made for Constructed, we got Modern Masters.
----------------------------
Club Flamingo Wins: 10
----------------------------
EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------
Suppose I've vanilla 4/5; would you spend 6 colored mana to kill it knowing I've open mana and a grip full of hand? A 2/2 is a 2/2 at the end of the day. Threat of activation will only threaten you so much if you've the mana for it. Don't give yourselves perfect scenarios of BBBB GGGG open and opponents having nothing.
Yes we need mana sinks from now and then but as rancoredelf says, this is 2014. Creature creep isn't as scary anymore. I would expect it to be 3/3 at the very least.
And Demon? Don't get me started on black's iconic race. Demons should be bigger than this.
This card is the perfect example of creature de-creep and rarity creep.
Trivia: If someone Lightning Bolts this guy, is it better to use the first or second ability? I don't suppose it matters as much, coz I find it funny that both can fulfil the same thing. Poor design.
UR Melek, Izzet ParagonUR, B Shirei, Shizo's CaretakerB, R Jaya Ballard, Task MageR,RW Tajic, Blade of the LegionRW, UB Lazav, Dimir MastermindUB, UB Circu, Dimir LobotomistUB, RWU Zedruu the GreatheartedRWU, GUBThe MimeoplasmGUB, UGExperiment Kraj UG, WDarien, King of KjeldorW, BMarrow-GnawerB, WBGKarador, Ghost ChieftainWBG, UTeferi, Temporal ArchmageU, GWUDerevi, Empyrial TacticianGWU, RDaretti, Scrap SavantR, UTalrand, Sky SummonerU, GEzuri, Renegade LeaderG, WUBRGReaper KingWUBRG, RGXenagos, God of RevelsRG, CKozilek, Butcher of TruthC, WUBRGGeneral TazriWUBRG, GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
Are you sure you're not Poe's Lawing this discussion?
Well, let's entertain the thought anyway. When was the last time a good Limited led to a good Constructed? I'm not being facetious here, I am genuinely curious.
----------------------------
Club Flamingo Wins: 10
----------------------------
EDH Decks
BG Vicious Varolz | RW Jor Kadeen, the Mean Machine | RG Atarka: Muh_Dragons.dec (WIP) | WU Brago, Blink Eternal (WIP)
----------------------------
Many thanks to DNC at Heroes of the Plane Studios