MTG Salvation

This one strikes me as at least interesting enough to warrant some discussion (likely for larger cubes only). It seems at least somewhat akin to Mentor of the Meek, a card which has seen fringe play on-and-off since the time it was printed. Mentor has a cheaper activation, and triggers on tokens, which is a bonus in it's favor. Alternatively, the Bishop most likely triggers on more cards overall (note that I don't have the math behind it comparing [4CC and above with two power or less, including token generation] to [3CC with three or greater power]). Not needing to have the mana-up when you cast follow-up creatures is likely worth the additional mana to draw the card. In addition, subtle synergies with cards like Smokestack, Braids, Cabal Minion, Goblin Welder, etc are present as well. Not to mention, a 2/3 body is worth significantly more than a 2/2 ground-pounder. Thoughts?

I think it's a solid card. A 2/3 flying is a good body, and 2W is a good cost. The ability is useful, and I like that you can pay for the draw later on. I don't think I'll have room at my size cube, but in a bigger cube I think it warrants some testing.

I don't think he'll get in but it's definitely a card I'll pick up for when and if I decide I don't really want to have shadow in the cube anymore. Building up a pool of mana sinks to draw extra cards sounds very interesting to me.

It is almost a shame that white 3s are so crowed. A 2/3 flyer for 3 with a pure upside used to be the kind of thing I wanted. But now my successful white wheenie decks are playing out more tempo-style or token. I am splashing red for path clearing and reach or blue for bounce and tempo counters and relying on pretty heavy hitters in the 3 slot. I wouldn't fault anyone for playing it though.

I like this card a lot, but I definitely can't cut any of my white 3s for it. Oh well!

This definitely feels like a solid card, possibly one that will sneak up on us if it doesn't make the cut now.

I could see this card getting a lot better as the number of interactions with clue tokens increases (who thought of Whirler Rogue or Pia and Kiran?)

Ill definitely keep this on my radar.

Quote from lactamaeon »

This definitely feels like a solid card, possibly one that will sneak up on us if it doesn't make the cut now.

I could see this card getting a lot better as the number of interactions with clue tokens increases (who thought of Whirler Rogue or Pia and Kiran?)

It's a cast trigger so it wouldn't activate when tokens ETB (unlike Mentor of the Meek).

I think cubes have probably moved beyond 2/3 flyers for 3 with extremely limited upsides. Pass in all but the biggest cubes IMO.

Quote from steve_ice »

I kinda like this card. Evasive, 3 toughness, no need to have extra mana every time you want to cast a creature (like in Mentor of the Meek's case). Might test this out if I can find a cut.

I mean, this guy would be wayyyy better with mentor's text rather than the text he has. And mentor is not particularly close for cube anymore. So the question is does +1 toughness and flying, with a worse ability, make it enough better than mentor to include? My gut says no. If it was a 3/2 (which would probably never see print) I would slam this is.

Quote from steve_ice »

Quote from noshadowkick »

Quote from lactamaeon »

This definitely feels like a solid card, possibly one that will sneak up on us if it doesn't make the cut now.

I could see this card getting a lot better as the number of interactions with clue tokens increases (who thought of Whirler Rogue or Pia and Kiran?)

It's a cast trigger so it wouldn't activate when tokens ETB (unlike Mentor of the Meek).

I think he means that clue tokens can be tapped to make creatures unblockable via Whirler Rogue and sacrificed to Pia and Kiran.

Exactly. The fact that this thing generates potentially large numbers of artifacts (which can be spent to dig for "artifact matters" cards) seems relevant.

None of the artifact decks play white, and they don't play many cheap creatures either. It may randomly find some interactions with Pia here and there, but the artifact.dec doesn't want this creature.

Unlike Mentor of the Meek, this has a body that can actually participate in combat, both offensively and defensively. And while the draw effect triggers less often and costs 1 more, it doesn't disrupt your curve. And triggering upon 1/2 to 3/4 of your creatures is still plenty.

I have one white 3-drop slot that is in a bit of swing, so I think I will try this guy out in that slot.