First, double red is going to be the hardest mana to get reliably or to have excess quantities of.
Second, I suspect it very unlikely an opponent will give you three cards and that's what we'd want. Damage could be really high (in the region of 30 damage max) and there is some opportunity to set up burn with Sylvan Library but more than likely it will be 3-8 for the trouble (assuming we hit one or two land). The self mill might also be more of a problem than a boon since there are limited ways to make use of the graveyard.
Thirdly, artifact creature doesn't trigger Cloudstone Curio, so trying to set up a bounce engine to burn people out/drawn lots of cards with this would be much more difficult.
Overall I don't see the Gearhulks making a big splash in the deck, especially compared to other stuff that has already been spoiled.
With Rashmi, Eternities Crafter, Panharmonicon, and Selvala, Heart of the Wilds I'm fairly happy with the new releases. I'd say there's usually at least 1 card a set that is somewhat considered as an inclusion. But with Conspiracy and Kaladesh there are the previously mentioned auto-includes. Making cuts in a deck so endlessly tweaked for years is tough.
I haven't seen anything else in Kaladesh I'd force into Animar. May have missed something though.
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It's not in my nature to be mysterious, but I can't talk about it and I can't talk about why.
Paradoxical Outcome might make some waves, as mentioned earlier. But certainly Rashmi and Panharmonicon were the two big choices from Kaladesh. Cuts are always hard now. When I get Animar sent across from Australia, I think I might start again from scratch :P. There are so many cantrip creatures now, that I'm tempted to try the cantrip build.
Panharmonicon falls into the same camp as Strionic Resonator and Alhammaret's Archive. On paper they look amazing, but in actual play they are usually just win more cards that make basically a do nothing turn. Sure, they can boost a deck after you get em going, but in my experience such cards are traps and just not needed.
You're probably right about Panharmonicon. It is a crazy card though, so I foresee it making its way into many decks and creating memorable wins for people that try it, at least some of the time.
I think, unlike the other two you listed, this has lower opportunity cost and (especially in a build like Animar) a greater pay off since it is less specific than Alhammaret's Archive and activates more often (and for free) than Strionic Resonator.
The biggest downside is that it doesn't get Animar +1/+1 counters any faster, since Animar's trigger is on cast not enter the battlefield. It also can create difficulties if you're trying to abuse Cloudstone Curio (fortunately a may trigger) or Ancestral Statue since the self bounce effect is doubled.
The problem I have with Selvala, Heart of the Wilds as a draw engine, is that Animar very quickly turns her off, since it's unlikely any creature entering the field will have as much power as Animar while it's on the field. She may play better than I give her credit for, but I think Fathom Mage is the better draw engine, especially if you have the option to reset Fathom Mage by bouncing and replaying her.
I'd be interested in hearing reports of how Selvala, Heart of the Wilds plays
Not sure if you realize this, but with curio it specifies permanent type, not sub type like "forest". So, in the case of bouncing Animar to get rid of one of those prison cards any land will do.
Not sure if you realize this, but with curio it specifies permanent type, not sub type like "forest". So, in the case of bouncing Animar to get rid of one of those prison cards any land will do.
My reference to forest was based on Song of the Dryads turning Animar into a basic land - forest. I know that any land will trigger Cloudstone Curio, but thanks for the clarification
Sometimes with Ancestral Statue Combo. Infinite Combination of mana ready for you
Fair enough, I wasn't really looking an Selvala's mana producing ability, more interested in the card draw. I guess the fact she does both is cool, but personally I wouldn't want to replace a card draw engine for a mana dork.
Maelstrom Wanderer is just such amazing value I would struggle to remove it from the deck. Sphinx of Uthuun is guaranteed card draw, Sandstone Oracle may draw more sometimes, but it could just as easily draw you nothing if you already have a full grip, I prefer to run cards that function reliably, but it depends on your meta, which you know better than me. Time of Need is probably a better tutor than Flamekin Harbinger.
Those are interesting suggestions, I agree with Flamekin Harbinger. Sandstone Oracle is a recent add that I haven't cast yet but you're right ultimately it's conditional draw. Might try your suggestions and see how it plays out.
I suspect the power of Deepglow Skate will be as an honourary superfriend with Planeswalkers. In Animar it's likely to not do enough (put 2 +1/+1 counters on Animar instead of one, if you're starting again) or simply be overkill (Animar now has infinity x 2 +1/+1 counters). If you're playing the +1/+1 counter theme, it may be worthwhile? It's a powerful creature, but it really does look designed to combo with Teferi, Venser and all the planeswalker-ultimates-every-turn!
Stonehoof Chieftain could be an interesting way of getting Animar damage through once Animar is big enough? Not sure it's worth cutting something else for it though.
I suspect the power of Deepglow Skate will be as an honourary superfriend with Planeswalkers. In Animar it's likely to not do enough (put 2 +1/+1 counters on Animar instead of one, if you're starting again) or simply be overkill (Animar now has infinity x 2 +1/+1 counters). If you're playing the +1/+1 counter theme, it may be worthwhile? It's a powerful creature, but it really does look designed to combo with Teferi, Venser and all the planeswalker-ultimates-every-turn!
If this is the first creature you're casting on Animar you're doing it wrong. It jumps you from one counter to four, and from two to six. You get the counter on cast before the ETB takes effect. That is very useful IMO
If this is the first creature you're casting on Animar you're doing it wrong. It jumps you from one counter to four, and from two to six. You get the counter on cast before the ETB takes effect. That is very useful IMO
I understand how it works, but I just don't think it's worth including as it is really only good for pumping Animar and most of the time it will simply be over kill. If it's a late top deck after a boardwipe it's not really any better than a Bond Beetle or Hunting Moa (and I don't see the value in running them). If it's a late top deck and Animar is already huge, it's even less useful than another utility creature. My Animar deck simply doesn't make the best use of Deepglow Skate in my opinion, since we're not spreading counters wide and we're not abusing Planeswalkers.
Feel free to test it and let me know how it plays.
This card would greatly increase the turn 4 win rate.
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SonofaBith - Wizards was so excited about making the packaging for Modern Masters 2 recyclable, they decided to make most of the rares and all but 1 of the UC's recycle-bin ready too. Convenient!
Evolutionary Escalation is probably an alright substitute for Hardened Scales. Each has it's strengths, but I think Evolutionary Escalation might be better? It does force you to wait a turn before you potentially go off though, unlike Hardened Scales, which potentially lets you go off on the same turn.
First, double red is going to be the hardest mana to get reliably or to have excess quantities of.
Second, I suspect it very unlikely an opponent will give you three cards and that's what we'd want. Damage could be really high (in the region of 30 damage max) and there is some opportunity to set up burn with Sylvan Library but more than likely it will be 3-8 for the trouble (assuming we hit one or two land). The self mill might also be more of a problem than a boon since there are limited ways to make use of the graveyard.
Thirdly, artifact creature doesn't trigger Cloudstone Curio, so trying to set up a bounce engine to burn people out/drawn lots of cards with this would be much more difficult.
Overall I don't see the Gearhulks making a big splash in the deck, especially compared to other stuff that has already been spoiled.
Any final thought about the complete Kaladesh spoiler?
Tiny - Yasova
I haven't seen anything else in Kaladesh I'd force into Animar. May have missed something though.
Seriph0 on cockatrice
EDH Decks
WBGKaradorWBG
I think, unlike the other two you listed, this has lower opportunity cost and (especially in a build like Animar) a greater pay off since it is less specific than Alhammaret's Archive and activates more often (and for free) than Strionic Resonator.
The biggest downside is that it doesn't get Animar +1/+1 counters any faster, since Animar's trigger is on cast not enter the battlefield. It also can create difficulties if you're trying to abuse Cloudstone Curio (fortunately a may trigger) or Ancestral Statue since the self bounce effect is doubled.
Selvala, Heart of the Wilds can add any color of mana equal to animar counter and ability to draw near similar to fathom mage.
Rashmi, Eternities Crafter for fast counters on Animar.
For now. Song of the Dryads and Imprisoned in the Moon make me annoy very much. Extra add Reclamation Sage help me too much
I'd be interested in hearing reports of how Selvala, Heart of the Wilds plays
Song of the Dryads and Imprisoned in the Moon are tough on Animar but remember you can bounce lands by playing lands with Cloudstone Curio out (return Animar "forest/waste" to your hand with a land drop and replay Animar).
Seriph0 on cockatrice
EDH Decks
WBGKaradorWBG
I'm try Selvala, Heart of the Wilds already. Not aim for draw cards but when i have 3-4 counters on animar. Selvala help me too much for higher curve. I can cast Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger or Kozilek, Butcher of Truth easily. Draws are a bit benefit. No one drawn if animar bigger enough.
Sometimes with Ancestral Statue Combo. Infinite Combination of mana ready for you
Fair enough, I wasn't really looking an Selvala's mana producing ability, more interested in the card draw. I guess the fact she does both is cool, but personally I wouldn't want to replace a card draw engine for a mana dork.
3 Animar, Soul of Elements
Creatures (52)
1 Birds of Paradise
1 Flamekin Harbinger
1 Shrieking Drake
2 Bloom Tender
2 Cloud of Faeries
2 Ainok Survivalist
2 Beastcaller Savant
2 Den Protector
2 Dream Stalker
2 Elvish Visionary
2 Fauna Shaman
2 Rattleclaw Mystic
2 Sakura-Tribe Elder
2 Stratus Dancer
2 Sylvan Ranger
2 Wall of Blossoms
3 Elvish Harbinger
3 Eternal Witness
3 Farhaven Elf
3 Fierce Empath
3 Man-o'-War
3 Raven Familiar
3 Sea Gate Oracle
3 Wood Elves
4 Ancestral Statue
4 Fathom Mage
4 Glen Elendra Archmage
4 Nantuko Vigilante
4 Phyrexian Metamorph
4 Purphoros, God of the Forge
4 Slithermuse
4 Solemn Simulacrum
4 Temur Sabertooth
4 Venser, Shaper Savant
5 Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
5 Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
5 Mulldrifter
5 Peregrine Drake
5 Vesuvan Shapeshifter
5 Zealous Conscripts
6 Deadeye Navigator
6 Duplicant
6 Primordial Sage
6 Soul of the Harvest
6 Woodland Bellower
7 Palinchron
7 Sandstone Oracle
7 Sphinx of Uthuun
8 Maelstrom Wanderer
8 Tidespout Tyrant
10 Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
10 Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
1 Stubborn Denial
1 Swan Song
1 Worldly Tutor
2 Counterspell
3x Chord of Calling
Sorceries (2)
3 Eldritch Evolution
3 Fabricate
Artifacts (3)
0 Chrome Mox
3 Cloudstone Curio
4 Birthing Pod
Enchantments (3)
1 Hardened Scales
2 Earthcraft
2 Survival of the Fittest
Lands (34)
1 Ancient Ziggurat
1 Command Tower
1 Frontier Bivouac
1 Reflecting Pool
1 Evolving Wilds
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Breeding Pool
1 Steam Vents
1 Stomping Ground
1 Cinder Glade
1 Izzet Boilerworks
1 Simic Growth Chamber
1 Hinterland Harbor
1 Rootbound Crag
1 Sulfur Falls
1 Kessig Wolf Run
1 Llanowar Reborn
1 Opal Palace
7 Forest
8 Island
1 Mountain
Retired Lists: Ghave - Hanna - Thrun - Zur
Pauper: Crypt Rats
Maelstrom Wanderer is just such amazing value I would struggle to remove it from the deck. Sphinx of Uthuun is guaranteed card draw, Sandstone Oracle may draw more sometimes, but it could just as easily draw you nothing if you already have a full grip, I prefer to run cards that function reliably, but it depends on your meta, which you know better than me. Time of Need is probably a better tutor than Flamekin Harbinger.
*edit* Whoops, I meant Brutalizer Exarch not deceiver...
Retired Lists: Ghave - Hanna - Thrun - Zur
Pauper: Crypt Rats
Tiny - Yasova
G Azusa, Wherever I May Roam
UG Rashmi Simic Power
WB Kambal Life Gain Kills
URG Maelstrom Wanderer Howdy
Stonehoof Chieftain could be an interesting way of getting Animar damage through once Animar is big enough? Not sure it's worth cutting something else for it though.
Although Faerie Artisans is rather good on our side as well. Generating counters fro Animar very quickly.EDIT: I am an idiot, please ignore
If this is the first creature you're casting on Animar you're doing it wrong. It jumps you from one counter to four, and from two to six. You get the counter on cast before the ETB takes effect. That is very useful IMO
Feel free to test it and let me know how it plays.
This card would greatly increase the turn 4 win rate.
GW Rhys the Redeemed EDH
RUGAnimar, Soul of Elements EDH
WBRAlesha, Who Smiles at Death EDH