Aaron’s Random Card Comment of the Day #54, 1/10/10
This very printing of Meekstone was the first card to awaken my inner Johnny oh-so-many years ago. I went out at bought/traded for four Savannah Lions, four Meekstones, and four Serra Angels, threw in the Kismets I had, and fleshed it out with other small creatures, Swords to Plowshares, and Disenchant. I even had a couple Holy Strengths that could either go on my Serras or be used to lock down opposing 2-power guys with Meekstone. In my primitive playgroup, it was pretty annoying. I didn’t even have Icy Manipulators; they were out of print and pretty hard to get at the time.
Design-wise, Meekstone is a fine card that holds up even today. It is costed aggressively, and it can either be used as a deck centerpiece (as I did) or as a metagame safety valve. Of course, we’ve reprinted it relatively recently (Seventh Edition) to little fanfare—the card is kind of passé at this point and doesn’t excite anyone very much anymore. But I decided to prod the developers about the possibility of reprinting it anyway.
Reactions were mixed. Yes, it is appropriately costed and does interesting things, but the prevailing opinion was that it disincentivizes behavior that doesn’t exactly warrant strong punishment—the use of large creatures. So unless there’s a big need for it in a future constructed metagame or we find ourselves with a plethora of rare slots in a set and no great way to fill them, I doubt you’ll be seeing Meekstone reprinted any time soon.
Cheza
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@ Aaron: I liked the card very much. As already mentioned, this card prefers weenies, vigilance and creatures with an "+X/+X" effect until end of turn (see Exalted, Battle Cry or Timbermaw Larva).
I also understand your point Aaron that by the time R&D designs Titans, they won't print any anti-Titan cards. This would make a newbie player sad, if his mighty demon is rendered useless.
But what you should consider is the fact, that the Titans could still attack once. That's the big difference to Ensnaring Bridge. So this card is only a soft lock.
Daedalin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A wonderful little card in my Shirei Commander deck!
Psychrates
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Jump in the Waayyyy back machine and re-visit Johan and Hazezon Tamar! A lil bit o' pump made a whole lotta chump.
My fondest memory of this card was the time I won a game against an opponent who was using this in his white weenie deck. I was playing black and I had a Skittering Horror enchanted with 2 Unholy Strengths in play. It had attacked long ago, and had been sitting on my side tapped for the majority of the game. Finally, I was able to attack for the win by placing Paralyze on my own creature and then paying the 4 mana during my upkeep to untap it.
Comments (11)
Clearly one of the best artifacts created in terms of casting cost vs effect. Combine this with a Winter Orb and watch an opponent go green...
5/5, even more so now days since there are so many powerhouse creatures.
This very printing of Meekstone was the first card to awaken my inner Johnny oh-so-many years ago. I went out at bought/traded for four Savannah Lions, four Meekstones, and four Serra Angels, threw in the Kismets I had, and fleshed it out with other small creatures, Swords to Plowshares, and Disenchant. I even had a couple Holy Strengths that could either go on my Serras or be used to lock down opposing 2-power guys with Meekstone. In my primitive playgroup, it was pretty annoying. I didn’t even have Icy Manipulators; they were out of print and pretty hard to get at the time.
Design-wise, Meekstone is a fine card that holds up even today. It is costed aggressively, and it can either be used as a deck centerpiece (as I did) or as a metagame safety valve. Of course, we’ve reprinted it relatively recently (Seventh Edition) to little fanfare—the card is kind of passé at this point and doesn’t excite anyone very much anymore. But I decided to prod the developers about the possibility of reprinting it anyway.
Reactions were mixed. Yes, it is appropriately costed and does interesting things, but the prevailing opinion was that it disincentivizes behavior that doesn’t exactly warrant strong punishment—the use of large creatures. So unless there’s a big need for it in a future constructed metagame or we find ourselves with a plethora of rare slots in a set and no great way to fill them, I doubt you’ll be seeing Meekstone reprinted any time soon.
I liked the card very much. As already mentioned, this card prefers weenies, vigilance and creatures with an "+X/+X" effect until end of turn (see Exalted, Battle Cry or Timbermaw Larva).
I also understand your point Aaron that by the time R&D designs Titans, they won't print any anti-Titan cards. This would make a newbie player sad, if his mighty demon is rendered useless.
But what you should consider is the fact, that the Titans could still attack once. That's the big difference to Ensnaring Bridge. So this card is only a soft lock.
Universal Vigilance is fun.