However, I feel like Wizards pushed this one a little too far. In a format in which counterspells are getting much weaker (Cavern of Souls, and the rumoured fall of Mana Leak), printing a card that can only be profitably answered by a counterspell (and it's still just a 1-for-1) seems like overkill.
So, between this, Strangleroot Geist, Rancor and all the other goodies...is there any reason NOT to play Green anymore?
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My Commander decks:
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
I think the LTB could be hinting to an exile theme in the next block/set. Then again, it could be there to counter all the bouncing. Also Conjurer's Closet wants this wardrobe.
I like this trend of letting LSV spoil good cards.
This particular one seems significantly overpowered, but at least it's a somewhat defensive card so it won't cause games to just end immediately, and might have the effect of reducing the dominance of aggro decks a little.
Yeah, because "answered profitably" applies to removal that nets your opponent a 3/3 creature (as opposed to 5/3) and 5 life. Day of Judgement is actually QUITE terrible at dealing with this guy.
You don't get the 5 life, and you get the 3/3 only if you can make it leave the battlefield. If you blink it after taking control of it, sure, it's great, but then so is anything in that case.
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
Alright, it's my turn to gush about this guy for a bit. I'm definitely a Green (and sometimes red) Mage, so this beast is definitely something to get excited about. There are so many possiblities. Most of them have already been mentioned, but we have:
Birthing Pod decks : This guy is like a bigger Huntmaster of the Fells. He enters the battlefield to gain life and when he leaves the battlefield he leaves behind a guy. I'm not sure how much play he'll see in Birthing Pod decks though since Huntmaster already does what he does. The other thing holding him back is his cmc of 5. He has to compete with Wolfir Silverheart, Acidic Slime, Zealous Conscripts, and, to a lesser extent, Vorapede. If you need more lifegain, or you plan on Poding to six drops - this guy may just be good enough. I definitely see him in Pod sideboards for aggro matchups. He also seems very good against Delver. If he resolves, you get five life (which helps offset the nine life you just lost from getting pounded by a 3/2 flyer). And his second ability is perhaps even more relevant against Delver. Even if this guy gets Vapor Snaged, you get a 3/3 blocker for the Geist of St. Traft.
Bant Flicker decks: This seems like the most fun place he can be. You already have Acidic Slime at the 5-drop slot as a creature to want to bounce multiple times for value. But if you're not going for pure land denial, this new guy may just be better. This beast just gives so much value against so much of the field. He's incredible to flicker against any sort of aggressive deck. Cloudshift this guy once against a mono-red deck, and you've probably won. Even against RG aggro, flickering this guy in response to an Incinerate or something similar is just back-breaking. I could really see this being viable. You could throw him in a control shell with Venser, the Sojourner and Stonehorn Dignitary. Or you can just go all out bant blink and include Phyrexian Metamorph, Phantasmal Image, Cloudshift, and even Deadeye Navigator if you want to go really deep.
Wolf Run decks: Now Wolf Run Red already has the Huntmaster of the Fells for lifegain. If you need a "fifth" Huntmaster or you don't yet have your Huntmasters - this guy does a pretty good impression. I actually see this guy being an all-star in Wolf Run Green decks. By going Green you lose Slagstorm and Huntmaster of the Fells (Bonfire of the Damned is splashable in mono-green WR) but you gain Dungrove Elder. There's no green replacement for Slagstorm yet; however, this beast is the mono-green replacement for Huntmaster. This guy with Dungrove should guarantee you have enough blockers and life to beat aggro decks.
Mono-Green aggro: This may be the final piece to make mono-green aggro take the place of GR Aggro. Right now, you're just in red for Huntmaster of the Fells and Galvanic Blast/Pillar of Flame (I believe Hellrider has fallen out of favor in most lists). By going mono-green aggro - you get the power of Dungrove Elder . As for removal spells, there's still everyone's favorite colorless removal spell: Dismember. Huntmaster is easily replaced by this guy. The Tusk guy may not have the power to take over the game like the Huntmaster, but it's close.
I feel like this guy has A LOT of potential. Even without an engine like Pod or Flicker effects, he is just an amazing value guy - almost on par with Solemn Simulacrum and Huntmaster of the Fells. I can't wait to throw this guy in every green deck I have. Rancor AND Sir Tuskington? Green is getting good!
I hate cards like this. It is just random powerful abilities slapped onto a creature. There's no design or reason, just stupid random crap that is unfun to play against or with.
I hate cards like this. It is just random powerful abilities slapped onto a creature. There's no design or reason, just stupid random crap that is unfun to play against or with.
Same here, pal.
Do you guys really think this guys is gonna be played? It costs 5, for Urza's sake!
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YOU ARE SURPRISED BY A MANTICORE! IT QUICKLY SHREDS YOUR FLESH AND DEVOURS YOU!
I think I'd be fine with this guy if his second ability only triggered on death not leaving the battlefield. This guy slows aggro which is needed right now, but with all these flicker effects this is just ridiculous. Maybe this guy will finally slow standard down. Naturally I'm going to need this in a flicker deck I'm working on.
I hate cards like this. It is just random powerful abilities slapped onto a creature. There's no design or reason, just stupid random crap that is unfun to play against or with.
I don't agree with the lifegain portion being random on a beast ??? Just another Ravenous Baloth variant.
Yeah, the other ability doesn't make as much sense and was just used to push it.
No one would be complaining about it having bunch of random abilities if it cost 7. People would be saying the same about Drogskol Reaver if it were costed 5.
My favorite green card in the set so far. It screams shenanigans.
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Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
... If I only had a nickel
This particular one seems significantly overpowered, but at least it's a somewhat defensive card so it won't cause games to just end immediately, and might have the effect of reducing the dominance of aggro decks a little.
Oh yeah. This hoses Vapor Snag something fierce. This plays very well against delver, if you can resolve it.
Yeah, because "answered profitably" applies to removal that nets your opponent a 3/3 creature (as opposed to 5/3) and 5 life. Day of Judgement is actually QUITE terrible at dealing with this guy.
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http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=8810959#post8810959
How so?
You don't get the 5 life, and you get the 3/3 only if you can make it leave the battlefield. If you blink it after taking control of it, sure, it's great, but then so is anything in that case.
I need one for my Nils Hamm collection. Too bad it's going to be kinda expensive here =\
My english may suck, so please take it easy
Maybe this is a sign that ROCK can be playable in standard again.
Just think about all of the mutual sac effects, like Barter in Blood and Smallpox? Certainly has my wheels a-turnin'.
Reprint Stasis!
Control needs more love.
EDH:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm
WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW
WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
Birthing Pod decks : This guy is like a bigger Huntmaster of the Fells. He enters the battlefield to gain life and when he leaves the battlefield he leaves behind a guy. I'm not sure how much play he'll see in Birthing Pod decks though since Huntmaster already does what he does. The other thing holding him back is his cmc of 5. He has to compete with Wolfir Silverheart, Acidic Slime, Zealous Conscripts, and, to a lesser extent, Vorapede. If you need more lifegain, or you plan on Poding to six drops - this guy may just be good enough. I definitely see him in Pod sideboards for aggro matchups. He also seems very good against Delver. If he resolves, you get five life (which helps offset the nine life you just lost from getting pounded by a 3/2 flyer). And his second ability is perhaps even more relevant against Delver. Even if this guy gets Vapor Snaged, you get a 3/3 blocker for the Geist of St. Traft.
Bant Flicker decks: This seems like the most fun place he can be. You already have Acidic Slime at the 5-drop slot as a creature to want to bounce multiple times for value. But if you're not going for pure land denial, this new guy may just be better. This beast just gives so much value against so much of the field. He's incredible to flicker against any sort of aggressive deck. Cloudshift this guy once against a mono-red deck, and you've probably won. Even against RG aggro, flickering this guy in response to an Incinerate or something similar is just back-breaking. I could really see this being viable. You could throw him in a control shell with Venser, the Sojourner and Stonehorn Dignitary. Or you can just go all out bant blink and include Phyrexian Metamorph, Phantasmal Image, Cloudshift, and even Deadeye Navigator if you want to go really deep.
Wolf Run decks: Now Wolf Run Red already has the Huntmaster of the Fells for lifegain. If you need a "fifth" Huntmaster or you don't yet have your Huntmasters - this guy does a pretty good impression. I actually see this guy being an all-star in Wolf Run Green decks. By going Green you lose Slagstorm and Huntmaster of the Fells (Bonfire of the Damned is splashable in mono-green WR) but you gain Dungrove Elder. There's no green replacement for Slagstorm yet; however, this beast is the mono-green replacement for Huntmaster. This guy with Dungrove should guarantee you have enough blockers and life to beat aggro decks.
Mono-Green aggro: This may be the final piece to make mono-green aggro take the place of GR Aggro. Right now, you're just in red for Huntmaster of the Fells and Galvanic Blast/Pillar of Flame (I believe Hellrider has fallen out of favor in most lists). By going mono-green aggro - you get the power of Dungrove Elder . As for removal spells, there's still everyone's favorite colorless removal spell: Dismember. Huntmaster is easily replaced by this guy. The Tusk guy may not have the power to take over the game like the Huntmaster, but it's close.
I feel like this guy has A LOT of potential. Even without an engine like Pod or Flicker effects, he is just an amazing value guy - almost on par with Solemn Simulacrum and Huntmaster of the Fells. I can't wait to throw this guy in every green deck I have. Rancor AND Sir Tuskington? Green is getting good!
Thragtusk Smash!
Same here, pal.
Do you guys really think this guys is gonna be played? It costs 5, for Urza's sake!
My Saffi deck
I don't agree with the lifegain portion being random on a beast ??? Just another Ravenous Baloth variant.
Yeah, the other ability doesn't make as much sense and was just used to push it.
No one would be complaining about it having bunch of random abilities if it cost 7. People would be saying the same about Drogskol Reaver if it were costed 5.