This is a great card for casual (probably not EDH, more like strictly casual), but probably not standard. That's okay too.
It's a well designed card though. Do you risk casting it when your devotion would land at 5 and they have 6 cards in hand? Do you wait or are you going to strip a good enough card? I'm glad they printed this one.
I'm gonna agree; nothing is appears to be broken, but there are some strong cards. Could be wrong. Maybe there is some totally broken card we can't see. As of now, doesn't appear that way though.
Yeah, Titan's Strength will at least see some sort of attempt at play. +3/+1 and scry for red is excellent. I mean, I'm imagining:
I actually like that uncommon for limited though. Every spell that targets it turns into a perma giant growth, but it's still totally fair in terms of vulnerability.
I think people are getting a little bent out of shape about Jackal Pup: Director's Cut because of the context they are in at the moment. We are still in the post Zendikar slow down period.
Cards like Goblin Guide are not the norm. Even cards like Rakdos Cackler are aberrations. The Cackler was intentionally pushed to the max as a sort of development experiment. I have generally noticed that the overall power level of creatures has dropped (exception granted to development brain farts)
This card is definitely good. Sure, it's not super splashy, overpowered, or exciting, but it will kick some major butt.
Well, hmmm... I don't even really know what to think about this guy. I want him to be a build around me uncommon in draft, but too many instants and sorceries (unless they are all token producers) aren't usually good for draft strategies. That being said, smack a fat bestow creature on this dude and you will have a field day smashing your opponent.
Agreed. But as things stand now with the current batch of 100 spoiled cards, I can't call Theros an enchantment block.
Well, this may end up being a perception thing. I have been looking at Theros as a Greek Mythology block with an enchantment sub-theme.
Regardless, if they don't provide end up providing the support everyone is expecting at this point, Theros could kill the current hot streak MtG has been enjoying.
You're missing the point. Of the cards which we do have knowledge of (approximately 1/5 of the block), There are a lot of cool pushed enchantments/creatures/artifacts thingies. But those cards have almost zero support (exactly one card which treats creatures the same as enchantments and so isn't really enchantment support anyway). This lack of support is the problem. It would be like Innistrad spoiled it's first hundred cards without showing a single tribal support card.
Here's the thing: you're right. It is a little weird. However, we still have a lot of cards to see and most of them are commons and uncommons. Commons and uncommons are the cards that will define the draft archetypes and themes we expect to see.
I personally think it would be best if we all just took a step back until we see the full spoiler. If, when the full spoiler is out, enchantment support has not manifested itself we can all complain. For now, let's just enjoy the spoiler season and evaluate the cards as they appear.
I agree. This is an upgrade that appears to be strictly for standard. They're upgrading a card that wouldn't be relevant if reprinted as is. With two potentially useful abilities tacked on it could see play in standard. I'm gonna trust those who say no to this guy seeing play in Modern and Legacy though. A 2/1 for one mana is, afterall, not that great compared to the spells used in those formats.
Yeah, if the whip had an instant activation speed it might be too good (at least in the eyes of R&D). There would be so many wonderful things to do. Basically, anything with an instant speed worthy ETB effect would be extra fun.
Also, this card makes me glad that Thragtusk is no longer around.
It should, if the rules are similar to how Flashback works with Rebound or the auto-Suspend cards (Arc Blade, et. al.)[disclaimer: official rules changes or errata could change this]. Because the Whip reads "put it in exile if it would go anywhere else", if it would go to exile normally, the Whip's replacement effect will step aside and let Obzedat go to exile on its own, and it will be returned to the battlefield by its own ability at the beginning of your next unkeep.
Wait, really? Damn, this suddenly seems much more powerful.
Now that thread about there being no Johnny cards present in Theros just seems stupid. Infinite shenanigans with the Whip!
Anyone know if this works with Obzedat, ghost council. Will you be able to bring obzedat back after exiling?
I'm not a judge or anything, but I think the whole "if it would leave the battlefield" clause would replace the normal Obzedat exile trigger. So it trigger to go into exile and the replacement effect would trigger, exiling it permanently.
Whip of Erebos 2BB
Legendary Artifact Enchantment - R
Creatures you control have lifelink. 2BB, T: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step. If it would leave the battlefield, exile it instead of putting it anywhere else. Activate this ability only anytime you could cast a sorcery.
Seriously, I was like... Well, Pack Rat made it into the the top 8 of a pro tour and it wasn't block. Cool stuff.
It's a well designed card though. Do you risk casting it when your devotion would land at 5 and they have 6 cards in hand? Do you wait or are you going to strip a good enough card? I'm glad they printed this one.
Yeah, Titan's Strength will at least see some sort of attempt at play. +3/+1 and scry for red is excellent. I mean, I'm imagining:
T1: Rakdos Cackler unleashed
T2: Enter combat phase, attack, Titan's Strength...
That's it. That isn't Magical Christmas Land. That is 5 damage on turn two and draw smoothing.
Still, it's just a one shot combat trick, so it might not be good enough regardless of how strong it is.
I actually like that uncommon for limited though. Every spell that targets it turns into a perma giant growth, but it's still totally fair in terms of vulnerability.
Cards like Goblin Guide are not the norm. Even cards like Rakdos Cackler are aberrations. The Cackler was intentionally pushed to the max as a sort of development experiment. I have generally noticed that the overall power level of creatures has dropped (exception granted to development brain farts)
This card is definitely good. Sure, it's not super splashy, overpowered, or exciting, but it will kick some major butt.
Or maybe "If ~ is countered, you win the game."
Damn... I actually wouldn't be surprised if that clause gets printed.
Well, this may end up being a perception thing. I have been looking at Theros as a Greek Mythology block with an enchantment sub-theme.
Regardless, if they don't provide end up providing the support everyone is expecting at this point, Theros could kill the current hot streak MtG has been enjoying.
Here's the thing: you're right. It is a little weird. However, we still have a lot of cards to see and most of them are commons and uncommons. Commons and uncommons are the cards that will define the draft archetypes and themes we expect to see.
I personally think it would be best if we all just took a step back until we see the full spoiler. If, when the full spoiler is out, enchantment support has not manifested itself we can all complain. For now, let's just enjoy the spoiler season and evaluate the cards as they appear.
On top of that, he is a solid devotion enabler. Now let's hope for some really pushed blue instants that care about devotion!
I agree. This is an upgrade that appears to be strictly for standard. They're upgrading a card that wouldn't be relevant if reprinted as is. With two potentially useful abilities tacked on it could see play in standard. I'm gonna trust those who say no to this guy seeing play in Modern and Legacy though. A 2/1 for one mana is, afterall, not that great compared to the spells used in those formats.
Also, this card makes me glad that Thragtusk is no longer around.
Wait, really? Damn, this suddenly seems much more powerful.
Now that thread about there being no Johnny cards present in Theros just seems stupid. Infinite shenanigans with the Whip!
I'm not a judge or anything, but I think the whole "if it would leave the battlefield" clause would replace the normal Obzedat exile trigger. So it trigger to go into exile and the replacement effect would trigger, exiling it permanently.
Not certain though.
Whip of Erebos 2BB
Legendary Artifact Enchantment - R
Creatures you control have lifelink.
2BB, T: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step. If it would leave the battlefield, exile it instead of putting it anywhere else. Activate this ability only anytime you could cast a sorcery.
Thoughts?