I will admit I miss read Godo. However I believe Nazahn being more recent and multicolored has significantly more weight in the argument and there ability is tutor to hand unless you "play fair". That play fair bit is why it's hard to argue that Balan isn't a significantly stronger tutor. Yes it could get something as unassuming as leonin scimitar but why the hell are you playing those cards together. You play Nazahn with his hammer because with them together it is worth playing both. Rating "technically conditional" indestructible against on attack tap is hard. I would rate the indestructible significantly higher because you have invested a lot into the guy and indestructible is a significant safety while the tap on attack I would rate almost as highly as trample.Quote from Ebline »Quote from user_938036 »
Balan, Leonin Captain, I think at 6 mana you get the equipment to your hand, not the battlefield. At least based on similar cards; Godo and Nazahn. It being a 'random' tutor helps in that regard but because you can easily make it a guaranteed tutor it doesn't help much. Probably would have to cost at least 7, or 8 and have a larger body or more abilities.
I would take another read of Godo and Nazahn. One is a direct tutor to the battlefield for and the other is to hand, EXCEPT if it meets a specific condition (the condition of being Hammer of Nazahn), in which case it is also directly to battlefield and because of the condition, equipped too. I'm really not seeing how either card is a good example for an argument that 6 CMC with two of it colored can't tutor to field with limitations - one tutors to field unconditionally, the other tutors to field based on a specification.
Godo has the same body, a better tutor, and can be argued to have a more impactful other ability. Nazahn has a noticeably better body, a usually worse tutor, and an other ability that works with your whole board and can provide some evasion. Balan's tutoring seems perfectly fine, but he's probably overall weaker than the two examples that share the similar tutoring. He'll usually be just a very straightforward beater, and without deck manipulation he could often be an expensive beater that isn't actually that big a threat. He might be able to get away with a 4/4 body, or a more interesting secondary ability.
Edit: the fact that he is meant for a cube is fairly significant when evaluating his tutor. What kind of equipment is he getting? Reasonable fair equipment or Argentum Armor? Is his tutor going to be actually random or are you likely to only have one or two equipment.
1
Arabal, the Shining Fist 1URW
Legendary Creature - Human Monk (M)
Protection from black
When Arabal, the Shining Fist attacks, tap up to X target nonland permanents, where X is Arabal's power.
As long as an opponent controls 4 or more tapped nonland permanents, Arabal has double strike.
3/2
1
"If you know my light, you know your darkness can't best it!"
Arabal shot out his fist as the vampire decended from above, sending a shimmer that highlighted the trees and stars above. But the forest protected Fyernok, the light forcibly bending around him. The vampire bit into the young monks neck. Despite his anger-fueled ferocity, the fangs didn't pierce the skin. Arabal struck the monster repeatedly to the gut until it released him, showing the sear of the monks punches. With a blow to the face, Fyernok turned to dust.
That's when the forest itself erupted.
"So it was you that tried to protect that creature!" Arabal turned. Then turned again. It was all around him. No. It was the woods itself that sought vengeance!
The leaves whirled and withered, emitting a scent of death. Suddenly, they lashed out him, but as the vampire could not pierce his skin before, neither could the leaves. But how could Arabal fight the woods itself?
He left seeking the power to change that.
Arabal, the Shining Fist 1URW
Legendary Creature - Human Monk
Protection from black
When Arabal, the Shining Fist attacks, tap up to X target nonland permanents, where X is Arabal's power.
3/2
1
None of the threats, be it death-touching insects, poisonous mosquitoes, nor a pair of trolls could overcome the fierce aura of Arabal's fist. It's light forced them aside and left him to pass unscathed.
Arabal, the Shining Fist 1URW
Legendary Creature - Human Monk
When Arabal, the Shining Fist attacks, tap up to X target nonland permanents, where X is Arabal's power.
3/2
1
Instant (R)
Choose one plus a mode for each experience counter you have. You may choose the same mode more than once.
• You get an experience counter.
• Create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token with lifelink.
• Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
Flashback 3WW
1
Balan is a 9/9 indestructible with "attack, destroy target permanent" thanks to Argentum Armor. Constructed decks would only run the pair. Kinda a discounted eldrazi. Lose indestructible and have it gain first strike and it'd be more in character with his first card and more answerable.
Elia is a cool card, but no the wanderer.
1
Legendary Creature - Angel (M)
Suspend 15 - W
Whenever you lose life, if Jazine, of the Last Stand is suspended, remove a time counter from her for each life lost. Otherwise put a +1/+1 counter on Jazine.
Flying, double strike, lifelink, vigilance
3/5
1
Legendary Creature - Elemental (M)
Partners with Paleska, Flow Surveyor
Haste
Instant and sorcery spells you control cost 2 less to cast while ~ is attacking.
5/4
Paleska, Flow Surveyor 2UU
Legendary Creature - Faerie Wizard (M)
Partners with Varfex, Rushflow Initiator
Flying, Prowess
When Paleska enters the battlefield, return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand.
When you cast your second instant or sorcery spell on a turn, if you both own and control Paleska, Flow Surveyor and a creature named Varfex, Rushflow Initiator, exile them, then meld them into Parfex the Skyflow.
2/2
Parfex the Skyflow
(••) Legendary Creature - Avatar (M)
Flying, haste, prowess
Whenever an instant or sorcery would be put into your graveyard from anywhere, exile it.
When ~ attacks you may cast a copy of any number of instant and sorcery cards exiled with it without paying their mana cost.
6/7
1
1
Kluxion, Eidolon of Vengeance WBR
Legendary Enchantment Creature - Spirit (M)
Bestow 2WBR
Enchanted creature gets -4/-4 and attacks each turn if able.
Kluxion, Eidolon of Vengeance attacks each turn if able.
WBR: Kluxion becomes an aura enchantment with enchant creature attached to target creature. It becomes a creature again if it's not attached to a creature.
4/4
1
Legendary Creature - Human Advisor (M)
At the beginning of each opponents upkeep, they choose friend or foe.
* Friend - That opponent gains 3 life and draws a card. Prevent all damage sources they control would deal to you and permanents you control until your next turn.
* Foe - That opponent loses 3 life and discards a card at random.
3/4
Trelzaya, Planar Conscious 2WUG
Legendary Creature - Avatar (M)
Vigilance
At the beginning of your upkeep, each opponent chooses strength, knowledge, or health.
* Strength - You and that opponent create a 3/3 green Beast Token.
* Knowledge - You and that opponent draw a card.
* Health - You and that opponent gain 4 life.
4/5
Krenton, Mastermind for Hire 1WUB
Legendary Creature - Veldalken Artificer (M)
At the beginning of your upkeep, each player may bid life. You start the bidding with a bid of any number. In turn order, each player may top the high bid. The bidding ends if the high bid stands. The high bidder loses life equal to the high bid. If you have the high bid, create a X/X colorless Doomsday artifact creature token with indestructible and trample, where X is the life lost this way.
4/4