MTG Salvation

Could this be another card to support the Dimir version of the artifact deck? That is a pretty strong defensive body. Not bad in an archetype that often has trouble against aggressive decks. And the reward for playing lots of artifacts is real.

Obligatory Weight Advantage mention, let's get that out the way (yes, it's very much the right colours too).

The butt on this is huge, this is one heck of a defensive card, blocking 3/3s and gaining you life at the same time - handy for artifact.dec to set up. Free scry with the artifacts you play is pretty swell. It doesn't have the 'X-factor' that will draw me into the deck though, and I really don't have space for it personally - don't know if it's better than Dragonlord Silumgar.

In my mind not better than the dragonlord, and I already have the artifact deck well represented in Dimir with Tezz 2.0 and Baleful Strix, who I think are both better than this. No way I'm cutting Psychatog either.

Really not appealing at all. I only have so many dimir spots, and if I'm going to dedicate one to the artifact deck it's going to be Tezzeret along with the generally great Baleful Strix. Doesn't seem like a good cube card at all.

Just like Glint-Nest Crane, this card doesn't pull you into drafting the artifact deck, but it rewards you for doing so. The body is fine for most Dimir or Grixis control decks. (Esper has a higher amount of mass removal that makes cards like this less needed.)

I think I am going to test it in my Shadowmage Infiltrator / Sygg, River Cutthroat slot.

Good defensive body, but too narrow and not explosive enough to reward me for playing a gold card.

I don't think this even cracks the top 10 for Dimir. Easy pass, imo.

I think it will see play in most Dimir decks, artifact based or not (though not in tempo). I like it more than Shadowmage Infiltrator. The main problem I have with it is the high variance. Against aggressive decks, it could be the best turn 2 play in your deck. Against control, it will be sided out. Kind of like Dragonlord Silumgar in reverse. I will likely test this, it helps enforcing the artifact archetype in U/B. Dimir is so shallow.

Great big booty on that dude. Don't think I have enough support for esper/dimir artifacts in my cube, but I like this guy for an EDH deck or two.

Quote from Metamind »

Dimir is so shallow.

I disagree with this. Now, some color pairs are more stacked (Orzhov, Selesnya), but Dimir has as many good cards as most cubes will ever need.

Dragonlord Silumgar
Psychatog
Shadowmage Infiltrator
Far//Away
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Nightveil Specter

I'd play all of these over it.

I admit it would be neat to play alongside Baleful Strix or Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas, but the power ceiling is not high enough to justify a spot in the most precious space in the cube.

Quote from taladel »

Quote from Metamind »

Dimir is so shallow.

I disagree with this. Now, some color pairs are more stacked (Orzhov, Selesnya), but Dimir has as many good cards as most cubes will ever need.

Dragonlord Silumgar
Psychatog
Shadowmage Infiltrator
Far//Away
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Nightveil Specter

I'd play all of these over it.

Besides Ashiok, none are good cards and Kingpin is more exciting for me than them. It is guaranteed to see more play, seeing as Omenspeaker is getting action here. If I have to play filler, I'd rather play the least narrow one.

Quote from metamind »

If I have to play filler, I'd rather play the least narrow one.

So, Shadowmage Infiltrator then? That card is significantly better than the Kingpin outside of a deck that's filled with artifacts.

Quote from wtwlf123 »

Quote from metamind »

If I have to play filler, I'd rather play the least narrow one.

So, Shadowmage Infiltrator then? That card is significantly better than the Kingpin outside of a deck that's filled with artifacts.

That's what I currently play and will continue to for archetype balance. I think Kingpin can challenge Infiltrator in an aggro heavy cube (or one filled with artifacts). I like to have it as an option in an uninspiring guild.