What's the verdict on this creature, since it's proven pretty decent in many formats, in an unpowered cube? I've been on the fence about including it but I'm not sure of its usefulness without (currently) running fast mana.
Can't really add anything that's not been said already - nothing not to like about this, aside from perhaps the missed opportunity to call it 'Inpestation'.
Great rate at 2G mana equivalent to a Reclamation Sage, amazing rate at 4G mana, and not having to have the targets makes it definitely better than Release the Gremlins, which was already a decent card.
It's important to note that this can generate a token the turn it ETBs as long as you have another attacker, so it's similar to Najeela in that regard.
Definitely, I already acknowledged that in the OP. Something I didn't mention though is that Calligrapher doesn't have to attack itself to get the token on subsequent turns, unlike Hero, which is super neat.
Agree the lack of 4th toughness is a big shame against burn spells.
Interesting Hero of Bladehold variant with some political tricks, that translates in a straightforward manner to 1v1 games. A splashable 3/3 flier for 4, which makes you a 2/1 attacking flier for free on every attack. It only generates one token per attack, but makes a native 2/1 flier rather than two temporarily buffed 1/1s, and should also make one the turn it comes down.
White 4's are deep but its 4-drop creatures specifically are much less so, so may be worth a look especially for tokens or fliers.dec (e.g Moat, Serra the Benevolent) support.
I doubt I'll be running this but it does seem like impactful and fun for sure. Even blocking three damage gives you a formidable swing back the next turn, and given that every archetype in cube is pretty much winning via combat damage, it won't be a dead card for its cost. Unless your opponent is chipping you to death with nothing but a 1/1 or 2/2 this probably is worth sitting on with 3WB up, to the exclusion of any other lines of play, as any substantial swing is going to have a relatively lethal retaliation. Cool card.
My group seems much higher on Plargg than the Salvation community, but I’m perhaps more in line with you all. Am I overlooking the value of a rummage bear? Is the idea that it’s going to attack a couple times in aggro decks and then pitch lands for gas in the mid and lategame? I guess the 5 mana ability also helps with reach. When I look at this card it doesn’t strike me as something I’m excited to grab out of a pack for my red aggro deck, but I could be wrong.
I don't think that a 2/2 rummager is the best aggro pick but he's probably serviceable in that deck for the exact reasons you suggested. I'd run him in Boros aggro happily as he can fulfil two slots in the curve, although you'd be looking to play the Augusta side most of the time.
I'll definitely be finding room for this. What's nice about this (and Stone Idol, which has been great) is that is works really well for nearly every cheaty strategy. Tinker/Welder; Reanimator; Sneak Attack; Channel; Show & Tell etc. Maybe rampable the honest way in a pinch at 9 mana.
Nice review as always! I'm also high on the same top 4. Aside from those I like both the Boros MDFCs quite a bit too; I hadn't considered Flamescroll guy up until now as I have no experience how good a Silence effect is in cube, but you made a good case for that being potentially useful. And Plargg/Augusta is a nice pick for two archetypes in one card which is neat, agreed there are fewer decks which would want both at once though. Might test both cards out!
This hits a ton of stuff, and more flexible artifact/enchantment removal is always welcome. Definite inclusion for us. As an aside the name feels spectacularly violent for a Boros card
I think it compares pretty favourably to Young Peezy-
Pros
2/1 for 1R is really basement acceptable stats, 3/2 Menace for 2B is better as a baseline.
Young Pyromancer often can't attack profitably, with 1 toughness. Menace doubles the chance of being able to attack favourably and it can swing into 1/1 tokens/Elves
Witch's trigger tokens are slightly better with the dies trigger
It's minor, but Magecraft also triggers off copies for stuff like Chain of Smog combo shenanigans if you are into supporting that (I won't most likely)
Witch gives you a free Bolt to the face in response to removal/theft/activated abilties, Pyro has no such protection
Black has a lot of broken instants/sorceries, so it should play nicely across archetypes, and happily it doesn't cost 1BB so it will slot into the other U/x, R/x, Jeskai spells matter decks easily
Cons
Pyromancer being 1 less means it's easier to follow up with a cheap spell same turn
Red is more of a traditional spells matter colour, I have more support in that colour for sure
Black 3's is a hyper competitive slot, more so than red 2's
Definitely excited to try out both in Grixis (or URwb if I'm greedy) spellslinger...
Great rate at 2G mana equivalent to a Reclamation Sage, amazing rate at 4G mana, and not having to have the targets makes it definitely better than Release the Gremlins, which was already a decent card.
I'd rather not cut Wilt, since it's such a good Disenchant/Naturalize variant, but let's see.
Definitely, I already acknowledged that in the OP. Something I didn't mention though is that Calligrapher doesn't have to attack itself to get the token on subsequent turns, unlike Hero, which is super neat.
Agree the lack of 4th toughness is a big shame against burn spells.
Interesting Hero of Bladehold variant with some political tricks, that translates in a straightforward manner to 1v1 games. A splashable 3/3 flier for 4, which makes you a 2/1 attacking flier for free on every attack. It only generates one token per attack, but makes a native 2/1 flier rather than two temporarily buffed 1/1s, and should also make one the turn it comes down.
White 4's are deep but its 4-drop creatures specifically are much less so, so may be worth a look especially for tokens or fliers.dec (e.g Moat, Serra the Benevolent) support.
I don't think that a 2/2 rummager is the best aggro pick but he's probably serviceable in that deck for the exact reasons you suggested. I'd run him in Boros aggro happily as he can fulfil two slots in the curve, although you'd be looking to play the Augusta side most of the time.
Yeah, this list plus testing Plargg/Augusta and Multiple Choice.
Pros
Cons
Definitely excited to try out both in Grixis (or URwb if I'm greedy) spellslinger...