MTG Salvation

6 hasty, evasive power that protects itself with upside. I don't think we need another red 6 after Inferno Titan and Chandra, Flamecaller (plus Wildfires) but this thing is GOOD...

That's pretty amazing as far as removal protection goes. I'm a fan.

I think this is certainly a card worth considering. Redirecting Vindicates and oblivion rings alike, whether or not they target him, seems really potent and I'd say suitable for an aggressive finisher. There are cases where his ability will blank; for example if someone plays Snuff Out or other creature removal and there are simply no other creatures on the board (or they're black), he just dies. I still think he's worth it though.

edit: I thought he might also flip a ravenous chupacabra but it appears locked into "opponent controls"; still workable but that interaction is less favorable than I thought

Also worth noting that at 5R, this is extremely splashable. I don't have a 6 I really want to cut, even at 720, but I might give this a spin over a five-drop like Goblin Dark-Dwellers.

Man, this makes Rorix Bladewing look like a pipsqueak. I’m imagining reanimating this early and watching as the mono-red player has to nail themselves or one of their creatures with a Lightning Bolt before making any more progress. The protection isn’t foolproof (especially if your opponent doesn’t have any creatures), but not having to use this on the first available target is some really powerful insurance.

Wildfires/Titan are too high a bar to clear, but maybe this competes with Chandra, Flamecaller and is almost certainly better than anything else being used in that slot.

Damn that ability is powerful... Very agressive attacker that's a nightmare for control decks if resolved. Doesn't stabalize the board that well for it's cost, but not completely embarrassing at defense. Agressive decks can't use a path or an oring on it without having it backfire on their creatures. Splashability is also a thing..

Think im gonna test.

Seems good if you are on the offensive, but provides little defense value for a six drop. Problem is, most decks reaching 6 mana aren't that aggressive and can expect to be somewhat behind when they cast this. Undoubtedly this can be very problematic against certain control builds.
I'm probably gonna test this, red's six drop slot is really barren.

Definitely testing this. My red section has some fat that could be trimmed.

I don't think you trim fat by adding 6-drops.

This is a good creature. I'm not sure what cube size would want a 2nd red 6cc creature beyond Inferno Titan AND Chandra AND both Wildfires, but at whatever size that is, this is the creature to go in there. But I don't think it's at 540 or smaller, at least not for me anyways. I'm never looking for another 6cc red card when I'm drafting cube.

interesting. i dont include the wildfire package. and i limit my cube to just torch of defiance. so I think this will become my second red 6 drop. now to find a cut.

Quote from wtwlf123 »

I don't think you trim fat by adding 6-drops.

This is a good creature. I'm not sure what cube size would want a 2nd red 6cc creature beyond Inferno Titan AND Chandra AND both Wildfires, but at whatever size that is, this is the creature to go in there. But I don't think it's at 540 or smaller, at least not for me anyways. I'm never looking for another 6cc red card when I'm drafting cube.

I'm at 630 (unpowered and running Bosh, Iron Golem as additional red top-end) and I think this guy will start to compete for a slot around that point.

I am not convinced that the six drop Chandra is definitely better than this, and a lot of folks run neither Wildfire variant. So I think this card is a very good option as a six drop, it starts beating down from the off, is fully functional when reanimated, and will probably result in at least 3-for-1 if they are going to successfully remove it (the Efreet vs. 2 removal spells and something on the other side of the table that you target instead). I don't think this has the feels-bad-man element of a True-Name Nemesis, either.

Quote from Goodking »

I am not convinced that the six drop Chandra is definitely better than this...

I think the Chandra, Flamecaller makes this thing look wildly embarrassing by comparison. I wouldn't come close to considering Emissary unless Chandra was already in my cube.

Chandra was very mediocre as a finisher, so it fills a different role anyway.

Chandra bashes for 6, with haste, across 2 separate bodies. Not quite as good as flying (most of the time, though occasionally Chandra will apply better and more consistent pressure), but it's still pseudo-evasion and it has two other really valuable abilities. And contributes to multiple different archetypes. Chandra's ability to clear the way for her own attacks makes her a very reliable finisher. She's one of the last cards I want to see across the table from me, because she's good in every quadrant and doesn't have many situations where she's not great.

I'm not saying that Emissary is bad. In fact, I think it's quite good. But I do strongly believe it's leagues behind Inferno Titan and Chandra, Flamecaller because of the ways they can play defensive roles, work better in more quadrants, and contribute to the success of multiple decktypes better.

Agree with wtwlf,
Think chandra will prove to be solid tier above this card... primarily due to her ability to play multiple roles, most notably a defensive one (something that's important in decks that want to cast 6 mana cards).

There will be decks where I'd prefer emissary, mostly ones with a reanimator component, or as a top end in an agressive midrange creature deck with some mana vault type cards (Green creatures that die to chandra's - will probably prefer the efreet as well).. But on average, I want to cast red 6 drops with artifacts, or with blue cards that control the game.. In those style of decks I prefer chandra... by a lot..

Chandra is the nutz, my opponents groan every time it lands on my side.

I’m not sure I really like this. It’s not big enough that it can effectively race fast decks when brought back on turn 3, nor does it offer anything to you defensively besides a fattie with protection. I can’t think of a deck other than Wildfire decks and red midrange that would want this card, feels too narrow honestly.

I have always liked Chandra but it was a pretty easy cut from my cube. My group doesn't like wildfire decks and much prefers sneak attack/reanimation to be a theme in red. When red is used in control it is a support color/ cheap removal walkers. Chandra almost never 6 damaged someone to finish them off quick,

So with that in mind I love the idea of reanimating this and a cheap bounce/removal is the bane in that deck. Deck often is grixis or jund so easy mana is great. Haste is perfect as a reanimation target and allows it to be a curve topper in a slightly higher mana aggresive deck.

And a narrow plus is that blinking this guy allows you to reset the protection.

Don't get me wrong people may love big Chandra and it may be better for their cube but with Koth, Daretti, and Chandra ToD I haven't really missed her.

Despite my praise I still don't think it this is a forever card for my cube. It isn't the crazy damage and or army in a can threat I want for red 6+ but for now it is number 2 behind Titan for me.

The more I think about this card, the more I really like it. I see a lot of messages about how it "protects itself", but once it comes down it protects EVERYTHING, you included. Only once? Sure, only once, and only selectively... but it's usually a +2 card swing when you force your opponent to cast a spell or use an ability which you redirect. And it's going to force your opponent to play around it until they're ready, so you're often getting a tempo advantage too... which means a lot when it comes attached to a big hasty flier that'll end the game in ~3 turns. Good to reanimate, good to blink, good to splash, survives a lot of removal without needing to redirect it, eats all but the largest fliers in combat... there's a lot to love here. I'm definitely finding space for this at 720 and I think it deserves a look at 540/630 as well.

I have a 720 fwiw, this is reds best reanimator target. Chandra has great options, but has been consistently poor in practice. Its like incendiary command 2.0
Chandra and emissary are very different cards. And chandra does see play but more often than not chandra usually cant sweep without dying, often fails to stabilize you at all, desperately drawing cards. I eventually made room for crater hellion and while it sees less maindeck play and gets run in a smaller amount of builds. It has consistently held its ground and been good at its job. I don't want to make a cut for that many 6 drops, but am torn on cutting chandra because its so unique and good looking, even if its never actually been good for us.

card was insane for me tonight winning 3 out of my 4 games by itself.

if the opponent doesnt have double removal in hand, this thing closes out the game so fast its almost a guaranteed win.

loved it. will be in the cube for a while!

This card has been impressive. It ability is relevant and a 6/5 snipes planeswalkers like there is no tomorrow.

Same as Vizzerdrix I think Emissary of Grudges will be in our cube for a while.

I've noticed this card in the Random Cube Card of the Day Forum and it looked like a good card. What are people's thoughts on it?

Its review looks positive.