Ajani Steadfast3W
Planeswalker - Ajani
[+1]: Up to one target creature you control gets +1/+1 and gains lifelink, first strike, and vigilance until end of turn.
[-2]: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control, then put a loyalty counter on each other planeswalker you control.
[-7]: You get an emblem with "If damage would be dealt to you or a planeswalker you control, prevent all but 1 of that damage."
Starting Loyalty: 4
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I'm surprised there's not thread for this card yet, as I feel it's one of the more interesting spoilers we've seen so far (note - everything above is a rough translation). It's very interesting to me that this only has one colored symbol in its cost (very splashable!), and I think this is probably because he was designed specifically for superfriends (hence the -2 that pumps your other walkers). Curious to see everyone's thoughts on this guy.
I see him as more of a Naya midrange tool than a Superfriends (i.e. more controlling pw heavy build) style card, as in the Naya build you are much more likely to have the creatures in play to capitalize on his creature enhancing abilities. The fact that he can also help pump your Domri, Xenagos, Chandra, Nissa, is just gravy and not really enough to play him on its own.
For sure the best walker they've ever printed for superfriends. Takes me back to the first friends deck I ever played back during Lorwyn Standard. Shocklands are going to be the only things allowing us to go more than three colors unfortunately.
I'd say it's good in a superfriends deck, assuming it's one that has a few token producers. You're certainly not playing him JUST to give 2 extra loyalty to whatever PWers you played before him. Playing him with the different versions of Garruk, Elspeth and even Sorin in some sort of BGW token build seems cool, if not competitive.
The -2 isn't as good as it first appears. If you're using it you're wanting to atleast break even on loyalty on the board. That means you need 2 other walkers down with him. Alternatively you need a few creatures for the anthem to pump. 1 creature is no good because the +1 is stronger, 2 creatures probably doesn't overcome the keywords from the +1 either. So what you're looking at for Ajani to really have an impact is 2 creatures+1 planeswalker or 2 planeswalkers on the board. If you've already got that type of board you're pretty far in the lead, which makes him very win more. If you're behind this is one of the last cards you want to draw.
The -2 isn't as good as it first appears. If you're using it you're wanting to atleast break even on loyalty on the board. That means you need 2 other walkers down with him. Alternatively you need a few creatures for the anthem to pump. 1 creature is no good because the +1 is stronger, 2 creatures probably doesn't overcome the keywords from the +1 either. So what you're looking at for Ajani to really have an impact is 2 creatures+1 planeswalker or 2 planeswalkers on the board. If you've already got that type of board you're pretty far in the lead, which makes him very win more. If you're behind this is one of the last cards you want to draw.
I agree with this. His abilities do feel very win-more. However, I do feel like it could be a 1-of in a G/W shell for its +1 and ultimate alone.
The -2 means t6 kiora emblem if they don't hero's downfall your kiora. I think that's pretty amazing to be honest to have the kraken emblem on t6 against any deck, combine that with mana acceleration and its possibly t5 kraken emblem. This definitely feels better than ajani menter of heroes for sure.
Right but the outcome of such a sequence of plays is that you have an Ajani at 2 with an empty board. Yes you've gotten a 2 for 1 and have some board presence to show for it, but most walkers that protect themselves naturally bring about such a state anyways. The value of giving other walkers loyalty is if those other walkers generate card advantage. You can look at it as having another walker that can generate 2 cards every 3 turns (+1 do something neutral, -2 gain a card). Ajani shifts that walker from being .33 cards/turn to being .5 cards/turn. If you have two walkers down he's generating that same .33 cards/turn.
Honestly I think his utility is entirely in the +1, that -2 is good but only when you're already winning. As a +1 it's not horrible. Imagine if you curve Fleecemane Lion, into Brimaz, into Ajani (Thundercats?... maybe that name requires red cards). You +1 the Fleecemane Lion and swing. In that situation you've created a pretty substantial advantage. But you already need good cards on the board for that advantage.
I've been looking at Ajani much the same as Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. They both +1 into a blocker. Sorins is better to chump but works on an empty board, Ajani's is better if you're being aggressive and isn't weak to trample. And they both -2 into a board pump. Sorins works on every creature for the rest of the game while Ajani's is only current creatures but boosts toughness. The planeswalker text while exciting isn't a huge deal unless you're already winning I think. So basically he's about on par with a walker that saw fringe play, and the archetype built for him (tokens) could never even reach a consensus on if they should run him. I admit we're in a lower powered format now so fringe in one format can be good in another but I'm just not seeing it yet. If we get a 3 mana token card on par with Spectral Procession though (not out of line given Convoke is the mechanic) I'll change my opinion.
Proliferate, in a way, is a better version of Ajani's -2, consider that there's no legend/planeswalker limit to how many times you can proliferate. If people want to activate -2 for the creature +1/+1 counters as well, then Ajani Goldmane is an easier choice.
What I like the most about Ajani is his +1. Lifelink + Vigilance, even on one creature, can turn the battle to your favor. If I were to make a superfriends deck with Ajani Steadfast, I start with artifact red for proliferate, plus Koth of the Hammer and Chandra, the Firebrand.
I'm kinda sad WotC decided to make Ajani the Superfriends buddy-PW.
Mentor of Heroes's second +1 to look top 4 for an Aura, Creature or PW.
And now Steadfast's -2 to essentially proliferate.
Essentially the ability-cost seems too high compared to what it does for you and seeing he doesn't +2 on his first ability that doesn't make it into an even lay-out with Goldmane.
Possibly designed to go hand in hand with Elspeth, Sun's Champion. Ajani will be at 6 loyalty when she comes out, spawns 3 tokens (she's up at 5). Ajani charges them all so there's 3 x 2/2's and Elspeth is up at 6. Next turn, Ajani charges and Elspeth ulties for up to 3 x 4/4 flyers with Ajani still alive to close the game.
The +1 is very good though. +1/+1, Vigilance and First Strike to keep the creature alive and available as a blocker as well. Lifelink for the race-purpose (possibly GG burn-aggro if Ajani lives for another turn with a worthy creature).
The ultimate is pretty much a resemblance to Mentor of Heroes, boring and drags out the game. Still pretty useful for Superfriends to keep the others alive (but haven't you -2'ed all day anyhow?).
Overall verdict: Interesting design but from the get-go not that impressive. The strong +1 might make him worthy in some mid-range build. He'll be tested in Superfriends but I'm not sure he'll make it. Seems fair in Standard.
People who think this card is bad in Superfriends hasn't played superfriends in standard very long. This card is INSANE!
First: You cannot judge this as "you have to have 2 planeswalkers/creatures for it to be worth it." Loyalty on Kiora =/= Loyalty on Elspeth. 1 Loyalty on Kiora goes a long long way.
Second: Just the mere existence of this card is going to change the way people play against me. Elspeth is no longer a threat with 7 loyalty, she's a threat with 6. Same with Kiora at 4 instead of 5. There are many times the opponent is forced into taking calculated risks against me (because they need board presence AND to prevent Kiora/Elspeth ultimates). Now they can no longer let Kiora stay at 4 and tap out for a threat. Just the fact that I MIGHT have him.
Third: The aggro match-up is without a doubt the most difficult. The ability to allow my courser to hop across the line for a 6 point swing is nothing to ignore. RW Burn is the hardest matchup of all, and gaining a spell's worth of life puts them far behind. With this guy in play, they will have to start throwing spells at him (instead of ignoring him like every other walker).
Fourth: Superfriends is loaded with mana dorks. 6 of mine are mystic/kiora's follower. Often GW Ajani powers these guys up enough to win without an ultimate. This is such a huge tempo jump for the deck. T3 Kiora, T4 Ajani (-2), T4 (-2 again) GW Ajani, swing with giant horde of beefy mana dorks.
I don't think that he can really be compared to Worldwaker, honestly. They serve entirely different functions (Ajani is a strong support 'walker, while Nissa is a powerful ramp 'walker). Although, I'm curious to see if we'll have the ability to effectively run Nissa in superfriends as well (to expand on your example in point 4, kiora -> nissa (2nd +1 on shocks) -> ajani (-2), etc). Getting two walkers out on the same turn could be insanely threatening. The only issue is that shocks are leaving standard soon... :'(
Worldwaker would be really good if shocks stayed in standard. Because the shocks are gone, she only fits into one shell. She might be pretty decent in that shell, but most of the time against anything tier 1 or 2, she's not enough and just turns your opponents spot removal into stone rain. Garruk Wildspeaker is leagues better, so her only hope is standard and EDH.
Ajani Steadfast had modern potential, and is a shoe in for at least 3 different shells in standard. White Aggro loves this guy. I would also say that this guy has a lot more potential in the new block. Nissa requires lands to be important (or perhaps another dual land that also maintains basic land type), whereas Ajani is good with any strategy that involves flooding the board with creatures or walkers (something that white is known for).
People who think this card is bad in Superfriends hasn't played superfriends in standard very long. This card is INSANE!
First: You cannot judge this as "you have to have 2 planeswalkers/creatures for it to be worth it." Loyalty on Kiora =/= Loyalty on Elspeth. 1 Loyalty on Kiora goes a long long way.
Second: Just the mere existence of this card is going to change the way people play against me. Elspeth is no longer a threat with 7 loyalty, she's a threat with 6. Same with Kiora at 4 instead of 5. There are many times the opponent is forced into taking calculated risks against me (because they need board presence AND to prevent Kiora/Elspeth ultimates). Now they can no longer let Kiora stay at 4 and tap out for a threat. Just the fact that I MIGHT have him.
Third: The aggro match-up is without a doubt the most difficult. The ability to allow my courser to hop across the line for a 6 point swing is nothing to ignore. RW Burn is the hardest matchup of all, and gaining a spell's worth of life puts them far behind. With this guy in play, they will have to start throwing spells at him (instead of ignoring him like every other walker).
Fourth: Superfriends is loaded with mana dorks. 6 of mine are mystic/kiora's follower. Often GW Ajani powers these guys up enough to win without an ultimate. This is such a huge tempo jump for the deck. T3 Kiora, T4 Ajani (-2), T4 (-2 again) GW Ajani, swing with giant horde of beefy mana dorks.
Good card is good. Way better than Worldwaker.
Totally agree with the analysis. I've been playing Bant Superfriends since Born came out, and it's relatively common to have Kiora out turn 3 thanks to Caryatid. If the opponent only has one creature out, and has no burn spells or Hero's Downfalls in hand, it's GG with Ajani. Turn 4, Ajani comes down, buffs Kiora up to 5, chump block with the Caryatid, and then go nuclear with Kiora next turn. What deck in Standard can come back from a turn 5 Kiora emblem? And to take care of your life total, just keep +1 a Kraken to gain 10 life every turn.
Mirror Match :D. Kiora, Elspeth, Dsphere can come back from a Kiora emblem, as long as your opponent draws a little bit less gas than you do. Often you lose a lot of your card advantage (either chump blocking or dealing with not so threatening threats towards kiora) in order to get her to ultimate.
Kiora would be a $35 card if it were not for the existence of Hero's Downfall. BUG control is a tough, grindy matchup. With this new Ajani, it swings G1 in our favor, and with clever sideboarding, we can turn our opponents sideboard into dead cards (which is a huge win in a matchup purely based on tempo).
Yeah, I actually had my opponent's Kiora go ultimate the turn after mine did. Luckily for me, I also had Elspeth out and was a turn away from ultimating her. Two 11/11 flying Krakens for the game (he was still at 20).
Worldwaker would be really good if shocks stayed in standard. Because the shocks are gone, she only fits into one shell. She might be pretty decent in that shell, but most of the time against anything tier 1 or 2, she's not enough and just turns your opponents spot removal into stone rain. Garruk Wildspeaker is leagues better, so her only hope is standard and EDH.
Ajani Steadfast had modern potential, and is a shoe in for at least 3 different shells in standard. White Aggro loves this guy. I would also say that this guy has a lot more potential in the new block. Nissa requires lands to be important (or perhaps another dual land that also maintains basic land type), whereas Ajani is good with any strategy that involves flooding the board with creatures or walkers (something that white is known for).
I 100% disagree with this. For Nissa, the first +1 is useful when you're flooding on lands. So being Stone Rained is not really all that bad. Especially when your opponent is 1 for 1ing themselves on your land while you continue to play other spells. Her second ability can get you to 10 mana on the next turn, is also a +1, and effectively makes her cost only 1. Garruk Wildspeaker is good for different reasons, but I wouldn't say he's better. His ramp may affect any land, but unless the lands he's untapping produce more than one mana, his ramp is weaker. And he also produces smaller threats to the board.
Ajani DOES also require other creatures/walkers to be in play before hand in order to have any means of protecting itself or impacting the board in any way the turn it comes into play.
And Ajani Steadfast good in modern!? Seriously!? Just no. For any deck that COULD run it, there are already far better and more efficient options available. You'd be weakening the potential of any deck by including it.
As for the next block we have no idea what's going to happen. So saying this is going to be amazing is just taking a shot in the dark. However, lands are always a given. So Nissa will always have something to work with in any point in Standard.
Nissa requires lands to be important? Of course. So does every other non-0cc card in the game. The fact that she enhances your mana in a variety of ways is sweet! She could easily see play in a competitive green deck with a splash in other colors.
And as of the present time, I can't say I'd like to run three color decks without the presence of CIPU dual lands. So any idea for 3-color Super friends is (for me) out the window. 2-color maybe, but it may not be including this Ajani.
I'm thinking two color (GW) with a splash of blue (kiora, an inevitable win, good against mid range decks with limited threats), red (xenagos, floods the board a bit more and can ramp hard), OR black (vraska, while she's still in standard, and/or new garruk, assuming he's worth playing. presumably bringing a bit more of a control aspect to the deck, either with the removal of vraska or the expected removal of garruk). Hell, I could see running one of them main board and the other two sideboard, if your main sources of any color mana are caryatids and confluences. I don't think that running 2-3 cards with a single symbol of a third color should tax the mana base all that hard, since you can run mana confluence for the splash very effectively (and maybe other duel lands, depending on what we get by the standard rotation).
Worldwaker would be really good if shocks stayed in standard. Because the shocks are gone, she only fits into one shell. She might be pretty decent in that shell, but most of the time against anything tier 1 or 2, she's not enough and just turns your opponents spot removal into stone rain. Garruk Wildspeaker is leagues better, so her only hope is standard and EDH.
Ajani Steadfast had modern potential, and is a shoe in for at least 3 different shells in standard. White Aggro loves this guy. I would also say that this guy has a lot more potential in the new block. Nissa requires lands to be important (or perhaps another dual land that also maintains basic land type), whereas Ajani is good with any strategy that involves flooding the board with creatures or walkers (something that white is known for).
I 100% disagree with this. For Nissa, the first +1 is useful when you're flooding on lands. So being Stone Rained is not really all that bad. Her second ability can get you to 10 mana on the next turn, is also a +1, and effectively makes her cost only 1. Garruk Wildspeaker is good for different reasons, but I wouldn't say he's better. His ramp may affect any land, but unless the lands he's untapping produce more than one mana, his ramp is weaker. And he also produces smaller threats to the board.
Ajani DOES also require other creatures/walkers to be in play before hand in order to have any means of protecting itself or impacting the board in any way the turn it comes into play.
And Ajani Steadfast good in modern!? Seriously!? Just no. For any deck that COULD run it, there are already far better and more efficient options available. You'd be weakening the potential of any deck by including it.
As for the next block we have no idea what's going to happen. So saying this is going to be amazing is just taking a shot in the dark. However, lands are always a given. So Nissa will always have something to work with in any point in Standard.
Nissa requires lands to be important? Of course. So does every other non-0cc card in the game. The fact that she enhances your mana in a variety of ways is sweet! She could easily see play in a competitive green deck with a splash in other colors.
And as of the present time, I can't say I'd like to run three color decks without the presence of CIPU dual lands. So any idea for 3-color Super friends is (for me) out the window. 2-color maybe, but it may not be including this Ajani.
You're doing a very bad job of seeing what I'm saying. First, I said Ajani has modern POTENTIAL, whereas there is NO hope for Nissa in modern.
If some sort of "land matters" thing happens in the next block, Nissa MIGHT be playable outside of a single shell. Ajani is playable NOW, in a deck that already exists. Mono Green Devotion only somewhat likes Nissa, and Mono Green Devotion isn't even Tier 2, its Tier Timmy. The more you talk about splashing colors for her goes to show how badly you're evaluating this card. Unless they print dual lands that are also forests, she WILL NOT be played in anything other than mono green with MAYBE a little splash.
Wherea's Ajani is amazing in anything token, anything weenie, and Superfriends (which could make the jump from tier 2 to tier 1 here soon). The idea that "you need to have creatures for this to matter" is BOGUS, and near magic illiteracy. People like you thought that Craterhoof Behemoth was bad because "it's just a 6/6 trample haste unless you have creatures on the board"
In a vacuum, Nissa is a little better than Ajani. In a game where you play with 60 cards and have an opponent who also has 60 cards, absolutes like "dies to removal" "doesn't protect itself" and "doesn't have an immediate impact on an empty board" is bad card evaluation, and I cannot wait for someone to wreck you with Ajani Steadfast.
You're doing a very bad job of seeing what I'm saying. First, I said Ajani has modern POTENTIAL, whereas there is NO hope for Nissa in modern.
I see exactly what you're saying, and I'M saying that their is no hope for EITHER in Modern. You're talking about adding a card to tier 2 modern decks to make them not any better or worse. There are tons of other things that I would run instead of Ajani Steadfast. And none of the current tier 1 decks would ever run it.
If some sort of "land matters" thing happens in the next block, Nissa MIGHT be playable outside of a single shell. Ajani is playable NOW, in a deck that already exists. Mono Green Devotion only somewhat likes Nissa, and Mono Green Devotion isn't even Tier 2, its Tier Timmy. The more you talk about splashing colors for her goes to show how badly you're evaluating this card. Unless they print dual lands that are also forests, she WILL NOT be played in anything other than mono green with MAYBE a little splash.
You're talking about the next format like it's going to be the same as this one. Just because Monogreen devotion doesn't make the top 8's of tournaments in this rotation, doesn't mean its going to stay that way. Especially since some of the main reasons it doesn't do so well in this format is because of the existence of Devour Flesh, Ultimate Price, Doom Blade, Supreme Verdict, Desecration Demon, Pack Rat, Tidebinder Mage, etc. all of which are rotating out. And what have we seen going into the next rotation so far that is going to keep it that way? Heroes Downfall and Elspeth? Sorry, but given the information I currently have I think Nissa is going to do very well.
And I wasn't talking about like half green, half red... God no, not with Nissa. I was talking about green devotion with a small splash. For example, splash red for Xenagos, God of Revels and Xenegos, the Reveler.
Wherea's Ajani is amazing in anything token, anything weenie, and Superfriends (which could make the jump from tier 2 to tier 1 here soon). The idea that "you need to have creatures for this to matter" is BOGUS, and near magic illiteracy. People like you thought that Craterhoof Behemoth was bad because "it's just a 6/6 trample haste unless you have creatures on the board"
Now you're just insulting me... "people like you". I was on board with Craterhoof Behemoth because by the time I was able to cast it, I would almost assuredly have enough of a board presence that it would just end the game. So... apples and oranges dude.
In a vacuum, Nissa is a little better than Ajani. In a game where you play with 60 cards and have an opponent who also has 60 cards, absolutes like "dies to removal" "doesn't protect itself" and "doesn't have an immediate impact on an empty board" is bad card evaluation
I will agree with you on "dies to removal". However since when has a planeswalker ever done well without an ability to protect itself in some way? The answer? Let's see... Tibalt (lame), Ajani Goldmane (better, but still lame), Liliana Vess (EDH for tutoring, otherwise lame). Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Ajani Steadfast is a bad card. I like your idea of playing cheap efficient creatures like dorks and Nyx-Fleece Ram into this guy.
..., and I cannot wait for someone to wreck you with Ajani Steadfast.
Again, are you trying to start a fight? I merely expressed my opinion on some of the things you said very matter-of-factly. Anyway, since you seem to know so much more about Magic the Gathering than I do and like insulting anyone who has another opinion, I'll just leave the rest of this topic to you.
Ajani Steadfast 3W
Planeswalker - Ajani
[+1]: Up to one target creature you control gets +1/+1 and gains lifelink, first strike, and vigilance until end of turn.
[-2]: Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control, then put a loyalty counter on each other planeswalker you control.
[-7]: You get an emblem with "If damage would be dealt to you or a planeswalker you control, prevent all but 1 of that damage."
Starting Loyalty: 4
I'm surprised there's not thread for this card yet, as I feel it's one of the more interesting spoilers we've seen so far (note - everything above is a rough translation). It's very interesting to me that this only has one colored symbol in its cost (very splashable!), and I think this is probably because he was designed specifically for superfriends (hence the -2 that pumps your other walkers). Curious to see everyone's thoughts on this guy.
My custom sets:
Caeia Block (Released - Beta)
Generals of Dareth (In Design)
Ajani's just a rehashed version of his first self. And Goldmane edges this slightly.
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
I agree with this. His abilities do feel very win-more. However, I do feel like it could be a 1-of in a G/W shell for its +1 and ultimate alone.
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Honestly I think his utility is entirely in the +1, that -2 is good but only when you're already winning. As a +1 it's not horrible. Imagine if you curve Fleecemane Lion, into Brimaz, into Ajani (Thundercats?... maybe that name requires red cards). You +1 the Fleecemane Lion and swing. In that situation you've created a pretty substantial advantage. But you already need good cards on the board for that advantage.
I've been looking at Ajani much the same as Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. They both +1 into a blocker. Sorins is better to chump but works on an empty board, Ajani's is better if you're being aggressive and isn't weak to trample. And they both -2 into a board pump. Sorins works on every creature for the rest of the game while Ajani's is only current creatures but boosts toughness. The planeswalker text while exciting isn't a huge deal unless you're already winning I think. So basically he's about on par with a walker that saw fringe play, and the archetype built for him (tokens) could never even reach a consensus on if they should run him. I admit we're in a lower powered format now so fringe in one format can be good in another but I'm just not seeing it yet. If we get a 3 mana token card on par with Spectral Procession though (not out of line given Convoke is the mechanic) I'll change my opinion.
What I like the most about Ajani is his +1. Lifelink + Vigilance, even on one creature, can turn the battle to your favor. If I were to make a superfriends deck with Ajani Steadfast, I start with artifact red for proliferate, plus Koth of the Hammer and Chandra, the Firebrand.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
Mentor of Heroes's second +1 to look top 4 for an Aura, Creature or PW.
And now Steadfast's -2 to essentially proliferate.
Essentially the ability-cost seems too high compared to what it does for you and seeing he doesn't +2 on his first ability that doesn't make it into an even lay-out with Goldmane.
Possibly designed to go hand in hand with Elspeth, Sun's Champion. Ajani will be at 6 loyalty when she comes out, spawns 3 tokens (she's up at 5). Ajani charges them all so there's 3 x 2/2's and Elspeth is up at 6. Next turn, Ajani charges and Elspeth ulties for up to 3 x 4/4 flyers with Ajani still alive to close the game.
The +1 is very good though. +1/+1, Vigilance and First Strike to keep the creature alive and available as a blocker as well. Lifelink for the race-purpose (possibly GG burn-aggro if Ajani lives for another turn with a worthy creature).
The ultimate is pretty much a resemblance to Mentor of Heroes, boring and drags out the game. Still pretty useful for Superfriends to keep the others alive (but haven't you -2'ed all day anyhow?).
Overall verdict: Interesting design but from the get-go not that impressive. The strong +1 might make him worthy in some mid-range build. He'll be tested in Superfriends but I'm not sure he'll make it. Seems fair in Standard.
—Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
First: You cannot judge this as "you have to have 2 planeswalkers/creatures for it to be worth it." Loyalty on Kiora =/= Loyalty on Elspeth. 1 Loyalty on Kiora goes a long long way.
Second: Just the mere existence of this card is going to change the way people play against me. Elspeth is no longer a threat with 7 loyalty, she's a threat with 6. Same with Kiora at 4 instead of 5. There are many times the opponent is forced into taking calculated risks against me (because they need board presence AND to prevent Kiora/Elspeth ultimates). Now they can no longer let Kiora stay at 4 and tap out for a threat. Just the fact that I MIGHT have him.
Third: The aggro match-up is without a doubt the most difficult. The ability to allow my courser to hop across the line for a 6 point swing is nothing to ignore. RW Burn is the hardest matchup of all, and gaining a spell's worth of life puts them far behind. With this guy in play, they will have to start throwing spells at him (instead of ignoring him like every other walker).
Fourth: Superfriends is loaded with mana dorks. 6 of mine are mystic/kiora's follower. Often GW Ajani powers these guys up enough to win without an ultimate. This is such a huge tempo jump for the deck. T3 Kiora, T4 Ajani (-2), T4 (-2 again) GW Ajani, swing with giant horde of beefy mana dorks.
Good card is good. Way better than Worldwaker.
Ajani Steadfast had modern potential, and is a shoe in for at least 3 different shells in standard. White Aggro loves this guy. I would also say that this guy has a lot more potential in the new block. Nissa requires lands to be important (or perhaps another dual land that also maintains basic land type), whereas Ajani is good with any strategy that involves flooding the board with creatures or walkers (something that white is known for).
Totally agree with the analysis. I've been playing Bant Superfriends since Born came out, and it's relatively common to have Kiora out turn 3 thanks to Caryatid. If the opponent only has one creature out, and has no burn spells or Hero's Downfalls in hand, it's GG with Ajani. Turn 4, Ajani comes down, buffs Kiora up to 5, chump block with the Caryatid, and then go nuclear with Kiora next turn. What deck in Standard can come back from a turn 5 Kiora emblem? And to take care of your life total, just keep +1 a Kraken to gain 10 life every turn.
Kiora would be a $35 card if it were not for the existence of Hero's Downfall. BUG control is a tough, grindy matchup. With this new Ajani, it swings G1 in our favor, and with clever sideboarding, we can turn our opponents sideboard into dead cards (which is a huge win in a matchup purely based on tempo).
I 100% disagree with this. For Nissa, the first +1 is useful when you're flooding on lands. So being Stone Rained is not really all that bad. Especially when your opponent is 1 for 1ing themselves on your land while you continue to play other spells. Her second ability can get you to 10 mana on the next turn, is also a +1, and effectively makes her cost only 1. Garruk Wildspeaker is good for different reasons, but I wouldn't say he's better. His ramp may affect any land, but unless the lands he's untapping produce more than one mana, his ramp is weaker. And he also produces smaller threats to the board.
Ajani DOES also require other creatures/walkers to be in play before hand in order to have any means of protecting itself or impacting the board in any way the turn it comes into play.
And Ajani Steadfast good in modern!? Seriously!? Just no. For any deck that COULD run it, there are already far better and more efficient options available. You'd be weakening the potential of any deck by including it.
As for the next block we have no idea what's going to happen. So saying this is going to be amazing is just taking a shot in the dark. However, lands are always a given. So Nissa will always have something to work with in any point in Standard.
Nissa requires lands to be important? Of course. So does every other non-0cc card in the game. The fact that she enhances your mana in a variety of ways is sweet! She could easily see play in a competitive green deck with a splash in other colors.
And as of the present time, I can't say I'd like to run three color decks without the presence of CIPU dual lands. So any idea for 3-color Super friends is (for me) out the window. 2-color maybe, but it may not be including this Ajani.
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
Turn 2 - Sylvan Caryatid
Turn 3 - Kiora, +1 her
Turn 4 - Ajani, -2 him; +1 Kiora, have the caryatid as a blocker
Turn 5 - get krakens
You're doing a very bad job of seeing what I'm saying. First, I said Ajani has modern POTENTIAL, whereas there is NO hope for Nissa in modern.
If some sort of "land matters" thing happens in the next block, Nissa MIGHT be playable outside of a single shell. Ajani is playable NOW, in a deck that already exists. Mono Green Devotion only somewhat likes Nissa, and Mono Green Devotion isn't even Tier 2, its Tier Timmy. The more you talk about splashing colors for her goes to show how badly you're evaluating this card. Unless they print dual lands that are also forests, she WILL NOT be played in anything other than mono green with MAYBE a little splash.
Wherea's Ajani is amazing in anything token, anything weenie, and Superfriends (which could make the jump from tier 2 to tier 1 here soon). The idea that "you need to have creatures for this to matter" is BOGUS, and near magic illiteracy. People like you thought that Craterhoof Behemoth was bad because "it's just a 6/6 trample haste unless you have creatures on the board"
In a vacuum, Nissa is a little better than Ajani. In a game where you play with 60 cards and have an opponent who also has 60 cards, absolutes like "dies to removal" "doesn't protect itself" and "doesn't have an immediate impact on an empty board" is bad card evaluation, and I cannot wait for someone to wreck you with Ajani Steadfast.
I see exactly what you're saying, and I'M saying that their is no hope for EITHER in Modern. You're talking about adding a card to tier 2 modern decks to make them not any better or worse. There are tons of other things that I would run instead of Ajani Steadfast. And none of the current tier 1 decks would ever run it.
You're talking about the next format like it's going to be the same as this one. Just because Monogreen devotion doesn't make the top 8's of tournaments in this rotation, doesn't mean its going to stay that way. Especially since some of the main reasons it doesn't do so well in this format is because of the existence of Devour Flesh, Ultimate Price, Doom Blade, Supreme Verdict, Desecration Demon, Pack Rat, Tidebinder Mage, etc. all of which are rotating out. And what have we seen going into the next rotation so far that is going to keep it that way? Heroes Downfall and Elspeth? Sorry, but given the information I currently have I think Nissa is going to do very well.
And I wasn't talking about like half green, half red... God no, not with Nissa. I was talking about green devotion with a small splash. For example, splash red for Xenagos, God of Revels and Xenegos, the Reveler.
Now you're just insulting me... "people like you". I was on board with Craterhoof Behemoth because by the time I was able to cast it, I would almost assuredly have enough of a board presence that it would just end the game. So... apples and oranges dude.
I will agree with you on "dies to removal". However since when has a planeswalker ever done well without an ability to protect itself in some way? The answer? Let's see... Tibalt (lame), Ajani Goldmane (better, but still lame), Liliana Vess (EDH for tutoring, otherwise lame). Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Ajani Steadfast is a bad card. I like your idea of playing cheap efficient creatures like dorks and Nyx-Fleece Ram into this guy.
Again, are you trying to start a fight? I merely expressed my opinion on some of the things you said very matter-of-factly. Anyway, since you seem to know so much more about Magic the Gathering than I do and like insulting anyone who has another opinion, I'll just leave the rest of this topic to you.
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
—Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver