I always have my eye out for any new tempo cards being released and I'm all over this awesome shark.
This guy probably doesn't cut it in high powered cubes? I feel like it lacks evasion and there are better things to be doing for 5 mana there.
However, it is a huge tempo swing and I think a 5/4 with flash is pretty solid in blue.
For any cube looking to power up the top end of blue tempo this could be a nice inclusion.
Anyone else thinking of running this?
Voracious Greatshark
3UU
Creature - Shark
Flash
When Voracious Greatshark enters the battlefield, counter target artifact or creature spell.
I think Draining Whelk is probably just better on average? Not being able to hit PW's is a huge downside. I think I'd run whelk, mystic snake, and frilled mystic before I wanted this guy.
This reminds me of Desertion. Obviously this is better if the vanilla 5/4 is better than whatever you're countering, but Desertion also has the ability to counter any spell you want, and can randomly steal some complete bombs for you to use. I'm not really advocating for either though, as I think they're both kinda a miss.
I've been thinking about this card because I like supporting simic flash decks and I don't think they have too many ideal cards at 5cmc. Honestly, I think it's an impressive body for blue. But, the weaknesses have been pointed out. For that kind of deck, I would maybe sooner consider Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir. Or maybe folks know better alternatives?
Long time lurker. Feel like this is a card I need to jump in on.
I don't think this card is a slam dunk, but I do think it's better than people are giving it credit for.
I find the comparisons to Welk and Desertion to be a bit unfair. The ceiling is obviously lower, but the floor is WAYYY higher since you don't actually need to counter a spell to get the body. Obviously a 5/4 flash with no additional value isn't ideal, but it isn't embarrassing either.
My experience has been that, when playing at instant speed, having multiple options is key. There are few worse feelings than falling behind on board, with a hand where holding up a counter is my best option, only to have my opponent play around it, effectively timewalking me. The beauty of cards like this or something like Mystic Confluence (which is admittedly much more powerful) is that this situation will never happen.
Anyways, I'm planning to test the card and expect it to be decent. The fact that the blue 5 drop creature slot is relatively weak doesn't hurt either!
Edit: For context. 450 cube around Legacy power level, but with some "feel-bad" cards removed (e.g., True-Name Nemesis).
I always have my eye out for any new tempo cards being released and I'm all over this awesome shark.
This guy probably doesn't cut it in high powered cubes? I feel like it lacks evasion and there are better things to be doing for 5 mana there.
However, it is a huge tempo swing and I think a 5/4 with flash is pretty solid in blue.
For any cube looking to power up the top end of blue tempo this could be a nice inclusion.
Anyone else thinking of running this?
3UU
Creature - Shark
Flash
When Voracious Greatshark enters the battlefield, counter target artifact or creature spell.
There is no boat big enough.
5/4
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I don't think this card is a slam dunk, but I do think it's better than people are giving it credit for.
I find the comparisons to Welk and Desertion to be a bit unfair. The ceiling is obviously lower, but the floor is WAYYY higher since you don't actually need to counter a spell to get the body. Obviously a 5/4 flash with no additional value isn't ideal, but it isn't embarrassing either.
My experience has been that, when playing at instant speed, having multiple options is key. There are few worse feelings than falling behind on board, with a hand where holding up a counter is my best option, only to have my opponent play around it, effectively timewalking me. The beauty of cards like this or something like Mystic Confluence (which is admittedly much more powerful) is that this situation will never happen.
Anyways, I'm planning to test the card and expect it to be decent. The fact that the blue 5 drop creature slot is relatively weak doesn't hurt either!
Edit: For context. 450 cube around Legacy power level, but with some "feel-bad" cards removed (e.g., True-Name Nemesis).