First off, this card says to do two things: Change the creature's power and toughness to 3/3 and it's type to Frog. That's it. Everything else stays the same.
That said, I think this card is really cool. I like frogs, and the idea of an engineered and powerful frog really appeals to me. I like how Omnibian sets creature stats to a number that is easily taken care of with Lightning Helix or Last Gasp. It is even possible to take most anything out with Terashi's Verdict and this fantastic frog. In Limited, the frog is amazing.
Overwhelming Intellect costs six and is fantastic, granted that it is a bit easier to cast than 2WUU. With a bit of luck, this new spell Anthony speaks of will be similar in power level and application.
Perhaps the "non x beware" means that the card in question will hose or otherwise affect cards with that clause. Maybe it's something that would negate a 'non-black' clause.
I hypothesize that there will be at least one Aura that will confer +1/+1 counters. I arrived at this conjecture based largely upon the Simic Guildmage, though I feel there are other factors that lends credence to all of this. I'd be interested in any suport the rest of the community can lend in favor of or against this possibility.
Your analysis doesn't seem to have anything to do with Limited, yet you say that is the format where this mechanic will shine. I think that Graft can really tear up Sealed Deck and Draft, but it will be largely dependent upon quality, cheap creatures with the ability. The creature we've seen is great, but it will take some very efficient one and two drops to round this out, I think. The potential to draft some Graft and a Giant Solifuge is exciting.
Can we assume that the simic guildmage will be able to move counters from one creature to another then? Or you tihnk that will be up to the champion or guild leader?
Also may have been a typing mistake, I think that Demand must be an azorious split... as they wanted us to play 3 colours, not four!
I also agree that the cost is 1UW, or Wizards still hasn't worked out all the kinks in the orb (remember the fiasco with the Azorius Guildmage).
Did anyone notice that the author of the preview article in question said that Lyzolda works well with the Rakdos Guildmage? How would he know that, unless he's seen that card as well.
I also like his rationale for her card drawing ability. You can play out your hand and fill it back up later, or at least keep a steady stream of cards coming. If you constantly drop everything you draw, then Hellbent abilities will still be online, and you'll be generating additional advantages and effects.
Because there is probably a double cycle of Split cards. One where one color has both enemy pairs, and another with both ally pairs.
For black this would give the following cards:
U/B // B/R
W/B // B/G
Precisely. W/U // U/R would work just fine, unless you are referring to each side of the card, rather than the overal mana symbols, in which case, I can see where people are going with that. I have been wondering if each card would share one color and then feature two other colors that were either allied or in opposition.
Quote from Watza »
It is general speculation that the split cards will be enemy colours (like the one presented)
Why not two sets of five split cards? Why do they have to be enemy colored?
Quote from Watza »
Also "Trial and Error" is commonly known in english contries as something that goes with inventions. Wich would be the simic and izzet guilds.
Very good. That expression can refer to any number of things, spelling and grammar included. I'm suggesting a pun with the name Trial and Error (assuming it even exists), rather than the interpretation suggested.
Simic/Izzet is way more plausible since it would be a split with both sides enemy colored.
How does that matter? Either pairing would share one color (just like the split card we've seen), and Trial sounds more like something a judiciary guild(Azorius) would be participating in than a scientific one(Simic).
Seriously, confusion abounds. As you've posted, the card would be better if you had cards in hand, because you could prevent the damage you'd incurr. This is in direct opposition to Hellbent, which provides a boon.
The lack of a Blue and White hybrid cost of a guildmage is what puzzles me the most. Maybe if the same search is performed in a day or two, it will yield positive results.
That said, I think this card is really cool. I like frogs, and the idea of an engineered and powerful frog really appeals to me. I like how Omnibian sets creature stats to a number that is easily taken care of with Lightning Helix or Last Gasp. It is even possible to take most anything out with Terashi's Verdict and this fantastic frog. In Limited, the frog is amazing.
In constructed, turning Sakura-Tribe Elder, Llanowar Elves or Birds of Paradise into three damage is very good, as is making massive threats from huge creatures somewhat less threatening. Backing this up with Voidslime and adding stuff like Mana Leak, Kodama of the North Tree, the afformentioned mana fixers and accelerators can enable a very strong deck. I'd throw in Moldervine Cloak, Simic Guildmage and Giant Solifuge to seal the deal.
Only? The Orb returns 4 hits for "devil".
I also agree that the cost is 1UW, or Wizards still hasn't worked out all the kinks in the orb (remember the fiasco with the Azorius Guildmage).
Also, the art for Cytoplast Root-Kin is credited to Thomas M Baxa, which could make it the art of the big monster smashing the Dimir House Guards.
I also like his rationale for her card drawing ability. You can play out your hand and fill it back up later, or at least keep a steady stream of cards coming. If you constantly drop everything you draw, then Hellbent abilities will still be online, and you'll be generating additional advantages and effects.
Precisely. W/U // U/R would work just fine, unless you are referring to each side of the card, rather than the overal mana symbols, in which case, I can see where people are going with that. I have been wondering if each card would share one color and then feature two other colors that were either allied or in opposition.
Why not two sets of five split cards? Why do they have to be enemy colored?
Very good. That expression can refer to any number of things, spelling and grammar included. I'm suggesting a pun with the name Trial and Error (assuming it even exists), rather than the interpretation suggested.
How does that matter? Either pairing would share one color (just like the split card we've seen), and Trial sounds more like something a judiciary guild(Azorius) would be participating in than a scientific one(Simic).
I'm looking forward to collecting hands when it turns out to be Azorius/Izzet.