Pointed Discussion

Strictly worse than Child of Night.

1/1 lifelink for 3.

And it's a rare.

Awesome.

El-Hajjaj is an unfortunate victim of power creep. At one time, his ability was unique enough to make him playable. Players who used El-Hajjaj would play him with power enhancing spells like Unholy Strength and Howl from Beyond. Nowadays, El-Hajjaj is overshadowed by Child of Night, Nip Gwyllion, and other creatures who fill the same basic role at a much reduced cost.

Yay for the original lifelinker!

Protip: Give this Lifelink to gain double the life (since this is still a triggered lifelink effect, the ability stacks)

Some times, power creep can be a force for good.

@Algatrkapa: This is not strictly worse than Child of Night, as El-Hajjâj does NOT, in fact, have Lifelink. Its ability is worded differently, thus making this a separated effect from Lifelink, and allowing it to stack with Lifelink. In other words, in some situations, it is arguably better than Child of Night. To be strictly worse than something means that it is worse in ALL situations than the specified alternative.

Funny how lifelink starting in and now it is primarily with a hint of here and there. (Vamps, for example)

Of course had land destruction at one point (usually mutual though) but now it's in every color BUT if you count -bouncing.