I agree with all of you. I am tickled pink that we finally have one. I am also looking forward to seeing the other allies we get. It sounds like it might be a while before they show up again. I was hoping for one that destroys enchantments, one that flickers lands, and one that returns creatures to your hand.
A red ally that has an optional may mechanic for when an ally ETBs you can destroy an artifact.
A white ally that has an optional may mechanic for when an ally ETBs you can destroy an enchantment.
A blue ally that has an optional may ETB effect of bouncing a creature whenever an ally ETBs.
A WUBRG ally legend that has an ETB effect that gives every ally a +1/+1 counter whenever an ally ETBs, and who is indestructible and hexproof as long as you control at least one other ally creature.
A black ally that gives all your allies deathtouch whenever an ally ETBs.
A colorless artifact ally that does scry 2 whenever it or another ally ETBs.
An equipment similar to Hero's Blade or Obsidian Battle-Axe that can connect for free to an ally that is ETBing, with decent abilities.
A white aura enchantment that grants the enchanted creature ally type, creates a 1/1 white ally creature token, and grants the enchanted creature the ability to get +1/+1 whenever an ally ETBs, including from the token it generates upon being enchanted.
These are some ideas from another poster on another thread.
The other thing that made allies different was a focus on +1/+1 counters. Using some of the Khan's block cards that care about counters could be very fun. I like those designs, clean clear and on color.
Could there be a red ally that rituals whenever an ally ETB? That would allow the deck to do some insane things.
That would be really cool and gives a unique and different card from Harabaz Druid. I'd play it a lot.
@liquid_water more token support would be good, especially if it available at instant speed.
Due to the nature of allies, mass blinking effects could be a great way around DoJ and other wrath effects, helps retrigger EtB, and would be different from slivers.
Since allies are returning, I thought I'd considering writting up a few for fun.
Victor, the Enthraller WUBRG
Legendary Creature - Human ally
First strike, lifelink
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
Remove 2 +1/+1 counters from ~: put a 1/1 ally creatureconto the battlefield under your control.
4/4
Tomb Seeker 2U
Creature - Merfolk wizard ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control, scry 2.
"Zendikar still has secrets for those stilk looking."
1/2
Teleport Navigator 3WU
Creature - Human wizard ally
Flash
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may return ~ to your hand. If you do, exile any number of other ally creatures you control. Return all creatures exiled this way to the battlefield under their owners control at the next endstep.
"Good thing the Navigator was here, I thought it was judgement day for us!"
3/3
Hedron student WW2
Creature - Kor shaman ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control you may exile target creature with toughness equal to or less than the number of allys you control until ~ leaves the battlefield.
2/3
Requiem Seeker 2B
Creature - Vampire shaman ally
Tap: return target creature with CMC equal to or less than the number of allies you control from your graveyard to the battlefield.
0/2
Ward breaker 3G
Creature - Elf shaman ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control you may destroy target enchantment. If you do, gain life equal to the number of allies you control.
3/3
Horizon seeker 2GG
Creature - Elf scout ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control you may put a basic land from your hand onto the battlefield tapped.
2/3
"Good in commander" depends on your meta. In mine, it is okay, not great... yet. Hopefully, this can fill in some of the gaps I have for my deck and lead me to a better footing.
A decent set of abilities on an ally with the growth '+1/+1 counter' mechanic is definitely a must, colorshifted would be gravy!
What abilities are people hoping for that would keep them distinct from slivers, but still powerful?
Ravaged waste
Basic land - (no subtype listed)
Tap: add 1 colorless to your mana pool.
Forested plains
Land - Forest plains
(This land taps for g or w)
~ comes into pkay tapped.
Because of how Nissa's DFC is worded, it makes me think we will see basic subtypes on the new cycle.
These are some ideas from another poster on another thread.
That would be really cool and gives a unique and different card from Harabaz Druid. I'd play it a lot.
@liquid_water more token support would be good, especially if it available at instant speed.
Due to the nature of allies, mass blinking effects could be a great way around DoJ and other wrath effects, helps retrigger EtB, and would be different from slivers.
Victor, the Enthraller WUBRG
Legendary Creature - Human ally
First strike, lifelink
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
Remove 2 +1/+1 counters from ~: put a 1/1 ally creatureconto the battlefield under your control.
4/4
Tomb Seeker 2U
Creature - Merfolk wizard ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control, scry 2.
"Zendikar still has secrets for those stilk looking."
1/2
Teleport Navigator 3WU
Creature - Human wizard ally
Flash
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may return ~ to your hand. If you do, exile any number of other ally creatures you control. Return all creatures exiled this way to the battlefield under their owners control at the next endstep.
"Good thing the Navigator was here, I thought it was judgement day for us!"
3/3
Hedron student WW2
Creature - Kor shaman ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control you may exile target creature with toughness equal to or less than the number of allys you control until ~ leaves the battlefield.
2/3
Requiem Seeker 2B
Creature - Vampire shaman ally
Tap: return target creature with CMC equal to or less than the number of allies you control from your graveyard to the battlefield.
0/2
Ward breaker 3G
Creature - Elf shaman ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control you may destroy target enchantment. If you do, gain life equal to the number of allies you control.
3/3
Horizon seeker 2GG
Creature - Elf scout ally
When ~ or another ally enters the battlefield under your control you may put a basic land from your hand onto the battlefield tapped.
2/3
Opinions and other ideas for allies welcome!
A response to the SDCC panel. The video coverage makes it pretty clear.
https://www.tumblr.com/reblog/87814160208/XDq36WZf
https://www.tumblr.com/reblog/85549894798/hJ9VC2PK
https://www.tumblr.com/reblog/71162772673/wZWD7eKX
A decent set of abilities on an ally with the growth '+1/+1 counter' mechanic is definitely a must, colorshifted would be gravy!
What abilities are people hoping for that would keep them distinct from slivers, but still powerful?