only good in standard and edh in my opinion because eternal formats rely on turn 2 to counter and removal or using something like a goyf. They just can't afford to waist mana it does not even compare to delver of secrets because delver has evasion and does not require mana to boost it.
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[center][color=Blue]
U/R Delver
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This is definitely an auto-include for me. I've been wanting to up aggro in all non-blue colors, and this helps with green (with support from white or black).
That's clearly the Wedge mythic cycle within this set, but it looks additionally like a clear horizontal cycle with Figure of Destiny as well. I'm thinking it could be a long-term cycle like the 'Lings and Volrath's Stronghold and its ilk.
Derp. That makes sense. Never mind.
Also, due to not supporting 3+ color sections in my 480, this guy will slot into my green section. My current plan is to take out a fattie for it, since my 6+ cmc is a little overloaded right now.
So really all taht had to be done was mention Figure of Destiny and I was in. This card is not figure, which plays fine as a 2/2 with upside in the two most aggressive colors.
What it is is still pretty awesome . I count 4 ways to get white mana from creatures I already run in green so I am set there. I have been toying with a slush section of about 10-20 cards in my 450. I am using it for pet 3 +color cards super flexible hybrids, and cards like this. It is nice to have balance but I am try not to kill myself. In trade I slop in just the blue mana rocks and my artifact section is control heavy anyway.
I'm perfectly happy with the "bastard child" of two of the best aggressive 1-drops ever printed. Plus, this guy is arguably better in midrange decks than any other "aggro" 1-drop out there, no? I mean, all the modes/abilities are relevant for that decktype...
Aggressive midrange is probably the best deck for this card, yes. But I'll be fine just activating the first two modes in an aggro deck too. Good thing that black aggro has recently reached its prime, makes including this card even easier.
Especially because this card is in green, which has such an easy means of getting white or black mana, I wouldn't consider this card a wedge card, I'd just consider it a green 1 drop.
Well since you want access to the other color of mana on T2 so you can bash for 3, I think it's needs to go into a deck that features lands that can produce white and/or black mana.
I think Fleecemane is indeed the right comparison, and Fleecemane just comes out far ahead, IMO.
A 1/1 for 1 is terrible. A 3/3 for 2 is weak but fringe playable; but adding in the requirement to have fed one mana in previously makes it weak. The 4 mana investment to level it up further is enormous and offers little return.
If you hit 6 mana and can protect this guy while that activation is on the stack, his ultimate payoff isn't any bigger than you get from Scute Mob. I expect most games this card is cast, however, it will either trade early, or it will be bolted in response to the 6 mana activation.
I like this much more than the Lion, but I don't know about "much harder", except for GWB decks. In a GW deck, you need GW to make either card worthy. Okay, you can cast Warden for G to chump block or to carry a sword, but that isn't going to matter on turn 1 or 2, and later in the game neither card should be difficult to cast anyway. Warden makes more decks, but also requires two color on turn 2 to be good.
I don't like this too much. The second level just isn't good enough. I think it needed to go up to a 4/4 at that point. I also have to disagree about this being better than Fleecemane lion.
Fleecemane lion decks tend to want to curve out 1 drop 2 drop 3 drop, and this can't do that. Fleecemane's level up is also way better than anything this can do.
Some more thoughts on Warden in general and in comparison to Fleecemane Lion. As has been said, the biggest selling point of the Warden is that it can attack as a 3/3 or turn 2. Skipping your 1-drop for this is not always the best option: if you have a strong 1-drop and a strong 2-drop you would probably rather play those, but the beauty of the Warden is that it functions as a 1-drop and a 2-drop and gives good value. A hand with just him and 3+-drops becomes playable. If it's answered it costs you tempo, but not more than a card. This is an acceptable risk/reward, just as with Figure of Destiny.
Fleecemane isn't really good until you active his ability. Warden is already good (in an aggro deck) if you attacked with him once on turn 2. His second ability is likely one that you only activate when you don't have something better to do. It's an extra option that you have when it seems beneficial or when you run out of gas. And the same is basically true for the third ability, just that it is more powerful. If it gets answered in response, you didn't get two-for-oned, you have still just lost a single card and mana that you didn't want to spend on anything else.
If you suspect your opponent has a bolt, would you rather play another creature or activate his third ability? What if you suspect your opponent has a wrath? If you don't have anything else to play, does it matter? Either way you're better off having the option.
Similar to Figure of Destiny, leveling it to it's first attacking level will at least partially interrupt your curve. If it's better to play a different 1-drop, just do so. Just like not leveling Figure on T2 is often the right play if you have a 2cc creature you want to get down first. The card doesn't force you to play bad Magic.
This card is playable in twice the number of 2-color decks that Fleecemane Lion is, and bashes a turn earlier. It too has relevant abilities in the midgame, and has an ultimate if it survives long-term (a repeatable ultimate, actually). The middle ability may not be as good as the 4/4 on Figure, but lifelink and trample aren't irrelevant abilities (particularly in midrange), and it opens up lines of play with the ultimate that your opponent simply can't ignore. Also unlike lion, this guy's middle ability prevents it from being chumped by tokens, which is particularly relevant when battling planeswalkers trying to protect themselves with the small creatures they create.
[center][color=Blue]
Edric Spy and die
Azami the lady of the draw
Naya Zoo
Past decks
Orloro
sharuum the hegemond
Mono black control
splinter twin
Also, due to not supporting 3+ color sections in my 480, this guy will slot into my green section. My current plan is to take out a fattie for it, since my 6+ cmc is a little overloaded right now.
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What it is is still pretty awesome . I count 4 ways to get white mana from creatures I already run in green so I am set there. I have been toying with a slush section of about 10-20 cards in my 450. I am using it for pet 3 +color cards super flexible hybrids, and cards like this. It is nice to have balance but I am try not to kill myself. In trade I slop in just the blue mana rocks and my artifact section is control heavy anyway.
Toughness in middle form is huge)
But perfect for midrange and agro midrange , still happy to include in agro.
Beat down oriented decks that can also generate mana this guy is great.
Plus figure is the nuts so, being worse than him in agro doesn't mean much...
welcoming this card with open arms
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Same. I may have to cheat a bit in my Abzan section by sneaking this into mono-green, since Rhino has been a champ in every deck that can cast him.
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This card seems better overall, but if you're facing a deck with tons of removal then Fleecemane is probably better.
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A 1/1 for 1 is terrible. A 3/3 for 2 is weak but fringe playable; but adding in the requirement to have fed one mana in previously makes it weak. The 4 mana investment to level it up further is enormous and offers little return.
If you hit 6 mana and can protect this guy while that activation is on the stack, his ultimate payoff isn't any bigger than you get from Scute Mob. I expect most games this card is cast, however, it will either trade early, or it will be bolted in response to the 6 mana activation.
I think it's way better than Fleecemane Lion for the cube.
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I like this much more than the Lion, but I don't know about "much harder", except for GWB decks. In a GW deck, you need GW to make either card worthy. Okay, you can cast Warden for G to chump block or to carry a sword, but that isn't going to matter on turn 1 or 2, and later in the game neither card should be difficult to cast anyway. Warden makes more decks, but also requires two color on turn 2 to be good.
Fleecemane lion decks tend to want to curve out 1 drop 2 drop 3 drop, and this can't do that. Fleecemane's level up is also way better than anything this can do.
Fleecemane isn't really good until you active his ability. Warden is already good (in an aggro deck) if you attacked with him once on turn 2. His second ability is likely one that you only activate when you don't have something better to do. It's an extra option that you have when it seems beneficial or when you run out of gas. And the same is basically true for the third ability, just that it is more powerful. If it gets answered in response, you didn't get two-for-oned, you have still just lost a single card and mana that you didn't want to spend on anything else.
If you suspect your opponent has a bolt, would you rather play another creature or activate his third ability? What if you suspect your opponent has a wrath? If you don't have anything else to play, does it matter? Either way you're better off having the option.
This card is playable in twice the number of 2-color decks that Fleecemane Lion is, and bashes a turn earlier. It too has relevant abilities in the midgame, and has an ultimate if it survives long-term (a repeatable ultimate, actually). The middle ability may not be as good as the 4/4 on Figure, but lifelink and trample aren't irrelevant abilities (particularly in midrange), and it opens up lines of play with the ultimate that your opponent simply can't ignore. Also unlike lion, this guy's middle ability prevents it from being chumped by tokens, which is particularly relevant when battling planeswalkers trying to protect themselves with the small creatures they create.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 49th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from MKM!