an alternative if you want to give aggro some more action is mass hysteria. often enough, aggro decks are the only ones which want haste in the early turns (though it can end up hurting if you run into reanimator). the high risk/reward of the card makes it appealing to our playgroup though. just throwing it out there!
@wtwlf & winterlude: The problem is that mass hysteria and fervor don't advance your game plan on their own. Hellraiser is itself a passable aggressive beater. Also: I would mention that you would never need to attack with mana dorks in the modern rule set since you can float mana with no drawback. That being said, you should be using them to cast pre-combat dudes to be hasted anyway.
How would you rank him compared to other red 3 manas creatures?
Here's my hastily drawn up breakdown. None of these lists are in any order, but I would also qualify that a large part of Hellraiser's value is as an archetype enabler, so his value goes up significantly in the proper context.
Just got to say, you've definitely earned distinction as an MTGS hero
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Because he's the hero MTGS deserves, and the one it needs right now. So we'll global him. Because he can take it. Because he's not just our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. An expired rascal.
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ExpiredRascals you sir are a god-like hero.
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ER is a masterful god who cannot be beaten in any endeavour.
Just got to say, you've definitely earned distinction as an MTGS hero
Quote from Stardust »
Because he's the hero MTGS deserves, and the one it needs right now. So we'll global him. Because he can take it. Because he's not just our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. An expired rascal.
Quote from LuckNorris »
ExpiredRascals you sir are a god-like hero.
Quote from Lanxal »
ER is a masterful god who cannot be beaten in any endeavour.
Imperial Recruiter and Ghitu Slinger are much better, Recruiter is a combo and synergy card while Slinger is nuts, always does something quite relevant on board.
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Here's my hastily drawn up breakdown. None of these lists are in any order, but I would also qualify that a large part of Hellraiser's value is as an archetype enabler, so his value goes up significantly in the proper context.
Better:
Manic Vandal
Chandra's Phoenix
Keldon Vandals
Blistering Firecat
Fire Imp
Zo-Zu the Punisher
Imperial Recruiter
Countryside Crusher *This one I have no experience with*
Goblin Sharpshooter
Debateable and/or heavily reliant on context:
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
Gathan Raiders
Guttersnipe
Ghitu Slinger
Magus of the Moon
Not typically intended to be cast, so I wouldn't rank this as a comparable three-drop:
Squee, Goblin Nabob
Better than these:
Hell's Thunder
Taurean Mauler
Akroma, Angel of Fury
Cunning Sparkmage
Splatter Thug
Priest of Urabrask
Tuktuk the Explorer
Ball Lightning
Body Count: GRRRUUUUUUUUUUU
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http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=477518&highlight=Hellraiser
I don't think it's cubable, myself.
My cube
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I'm OP_Forever. I'll be putting this in my signature for a while so everyone know I change my nickname.
Merging now.
Body Count: GRRRUUUUUUUUUUU
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My Cube for use with 6th ed. Rules
Honestly though, I wouldn't run this guy over much of anything that's even arguably cubeworthy.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
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My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
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