Not sure how to properly link images so I apologise, but if you haven't seen the card, here it is.
W
Sorcery
Strive — Launch the Fleet costs 1 more to cast for each target beyond the first.
Until end of turn, any number of target creatures each gain "Whenever this creature attacks, put a 1/1 white Soldier token onto the battlefield tapped and attacking."
I think there's no doubt that this is a playable card in Cube, but it's an interesting card to evaluate. The "whenever" clause has me nervous because if your dude gets bolted after you play this, it's kind of a let down. Also, in tight aggro lists running 15 or 16 lands, you may not be able to pay more than 2W or 3W if you're lucky.
Personally I feel like this is worth a shot at 540 or higher lists, but it seems like too risky of an effect as a white weenie / token finisher to include, especially as a sorcery.
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The most important part of token engine cards is creating multiple threats when you have none. This card doesn't do that. It can't make threats unless you already have threats, and even then, it's limited to the number of creatures you already have out! I don't think that card's any good.
The card has a higher ceiling than other token generators because they come into play attacking and it's splashable, but requiring you to have other attacking creatures already is a crushing drawback for that kind of effect.
I am surprised nobody is talking about Launch the Fleet. For W and Stive 1 we get a very efficient token generator. And they are tapped and attacking. Would I play Raise the Alarm if the creatures had haste? Maybe... Is it better than Spectral Procession? Probably not, but scalable cards are hard to judge at first blush. I think there are plenty of times that you may just need a couple more damage to push through, and would will almost always have attacking creatures in white. And with anthems...
I can imagine curving 1 drop, 2 drop, procession, this for 3-5. Or as we keep putting one drops in cube. 1 drop, 2- 1 drops, this for 3 on 3.
Staple it is not, but it is the first card I want to try outside the obvious 2 staples.
and
Quote from willdice
I'd include Militia's Pride over Launch the Fleet.
No way I would play that. The extra 2 upfront, the semi-lack of surprise, and in particular that non-token clause are all deal breakers for me.
Launch the fleet might not be good enough but it has it's best chance being very good in heavy token-themed cubes, and where it punishes the opponent who made some decision based on your board state.
I may be better off with another anthem (boring), but I like the feel of the card, am always looking for something else to break Porphorous, love splitting up my assets across multiple bodies, and have no haste creatures in white Frown .
I'm glad they're trying new things with this strive mechanic. This set has some really fascinating designs so far.
But yea, I'll echo what most everyone has said: this is just Tempt with Vengeance where you get an extra token at the cost of a whole host of drawbacks (need creatures that can attack that same turn, tokens have to attack as well, creature removal stuffs the token production). Not worth it unless you run a hardcore amount of anthems.
W
Sorcery
Strive — Launch the Fleet costs 1 more to cast for each target beyond the first.
Until end of turn, any number of target creatures each gain "Whenever this creature attacks, put a 1/1 white Soldier token onto the battlefield tapped and attacking."
I think there's no doubt that this is a playable card in Cube, but it's an interesting card to evaluate. The "whenever" clause has me nervous because if your dude gets bolted after you play this, it's kind of a let down. Also, in tight aggro lists running 15 or 16 lands, you may not be able to pay more than 2W or 3W if you're lucky.
Personally I feel like this is worth a shot at 540 or higher lists, but it seems like too risky of an effect as a white weenie / token finisher to include, especially as a sorcery.
Ya, I think this card's pretty bad.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
I am surprised nobody is talking about Launch the Fleet. For W and Stive 1 we get a very efficient token generator. And they are tapped and attacking. Would I play Raise the Alarm if the creatures had haste? Maybe... Is it better than Spectral Procession? Probably not, but scalable cards are hard to judge at first blush. I think there are plenty of times that you may just need a couple more damage to push through, and would will almost always have attacking creatures in white. And with anthems...
I can imagine curving 1 drop, 2 drop, procession, this for 3-5. Or as we keep putting one drops in cube. 1 drop, 2- 1 drops, this for 3 on 3.
Staple it is not, but it is the first card I want to try outside the obvious 2 staples.
and
Quote from willdice
I'd include Militia's Pride over Launch the Fleet.
No way I would play that. The extra 2 upfront, the semi-lack of surprise, and in particular that non-token clause are all deal breakers for me.
Launch the fleet might not be good enough but it has it's best chance being very good in heavy token-themed cubes, and where it punishes the opponent who made some decision based on your board state.
I may be better off with another anthem (boring), but I like the feel of the card, am always looking for something else to break Porphorous, love splitting up my assets across multiple bodies, and have no haste creatures in white Frown .
There's no shortage of better cards that Purphoros would rather see.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
But yea, I'll echo what most everyone has said: this is just Tempt with Vengeance where you get an extra token at the cost of a whole host of drawbacks (need creatures that can attack that same turn, tokens have to attack as well, creature removal stuffs the token production). Not worth it unless you run a hardcore amount of anthems.
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