Torchling is a novel idea and a good tribute to Superman (Morphling), though this does NOT make it Superman. For one thing, it's not blue. For a red beatstick, there are better creatures for 5. Sure, it has a built-in "Shunting" mechanism and can pick off targets from a distance but its simply inefficient. To get the most out of this thing, you would need excessive amounts of mana open ever turn, which is usually not a feasible option for red aggro.
jeff-heikkinen
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(6 votes)
I'm surprised how underwhelming this card feels considering it's so obviously a Morphling variant. I think a big part of the problem lies in not having any form of evasion, indeed going so far as to be able to force the opponent to block it instead. This makes Torchling feel, much of the time, like overpriced removal instead of an efficient creature. The best use for it, I suspect, is to use the "must block" ability on multiple creatures to push through a game-winning attack by other creatures; as I've said elsewhere, this is a powerful strategy in Limited but one of very limited use in Constructed owing to its slowness and, in this particular case, reliance on having multiple creatures out.
(50th card I've rated. Um, yay?)
1SsqueezV1
★★☆☆☆ (2.6/5.0)(5 votes)
you know. to actually make it morphling quality ( which im sure was the origional intent) they should have instead made the second ability R target creature cannot block this turn. or at the very least not be able to block torchling. its just not the drop that it should be. i mean. i personally would not mind if someone brought that out on me. oh and one more thing. i like the picture. not cause it looks cool. but the morphling one you couldnt tell the picture between the people. but in this one its like hmmmmmmmmm so thats what i look like. awesome cause i never realized my hair was made out of FIRE!
Orichalcon
★☆☆☆☆ (1.6/5.0)(4 votes)
You guys are missing the point. Torchling is in Planar Chaos, and is based off of Morphling. However, they essentially flipped it. Instead, we have an INCREDIBLE redirect engine that can use your opponent's burn and destroy spells against them. It can't be unsummoned, It essentially gives itself Vigilance for R, and it can make ANY CARD YOU WANT block it. The only thing I wish it had was that its redirect worked on abilities too.
Ava_Adore
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I agree with 1SsqueezV1
torchling needed an evasion ability
at least thornling has indestructible and trample which is just as good as an evasion ability, although not as good as flying and shroud
at best the only good use of this card is an expensive wall that untaps.
i highly doubt you will use its target changing ability and there is not much use for it although i think it is better than shroud, shroud will last you untill the end of the turn
i would still give it 4/5 though but not as good as morphling, and i dont think it is quite as good as thornling
Omenchild
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(6 votes)
@Orichalcon
No one will even target this thing.
SleetFox
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Not that great, but you can spend a lot of mana to make it a 5/1 and have a ton of creatures block it. That's quite the investment for what it does, but it's still a neat effect. If you can get it indestructibility or regeneration then it's repeatable, which is pretty great.
Basically, this is much more useful than a lot of people are saying it is. Not exactly worth the mana, but if you manage to get it out and use it correctly, it'll do good things.
Tinkerermcmuffin
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I've played him a dozen of times and not once have i activated its Shunt ability. Designers should avoid making this kind of abilities cuz it's frustrating.
On the other hand, i love the art and flavor on this guy.
JoshGuessed
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
So much fun with Kyren Negotiations. Good way to dump your leftover mana for damage.
Kirbster
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(4 votes)
Sure isn't Morphling in here.
SpoonIsMe
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Guys, he's not meant to have evasion. He's not Morpling 2.0. He's Red Morphling- he's meant to get stuck in the fight. Does this make him a less playable card? For some of you, sure, but there's no point in saying he would be good if he was a different card.
GrimjawxRULES
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Very annoying with cards like Arcane Teachings and Power of Fire. Could be of some use as a more flexible Hateflayer if you're playing a 'machine gun' deck .
Hoonster
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
I don't understand why people hate this card so much . . I think this is a nice variant of Morphling. To all of you who complain that the 'shunt' ability is completely useless, YOU ARE STUPID! It practically does the SAME JOB as the Morphling's Morphling gains shroud until end of the turn. IT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM TARGETING IT! Sure, this Shunt ability is slightly weaker that it can only block target of a spell that ONLY target Torchling, but this is rarely the problem. Also, evasion and target creature must block ability are different. Evasion allows creatures to attack opponent directly, while target creature must block ability can take out utility creatures with low p/t, which I think is not a terrible ability. The reason why Torchling didn't see play is that usually red decks run early aggression rather than going for mid-range or long game.
blurrymadness
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
As with most firebreathing creatures, this guy is AT LEAST a 3.5 given all the red-double-damage-at-instant-speed tricks. Fatal Frenzy, Double Cleave, etc mean that you can attack, pump up to 6ish, then double the power. Decent enough.
TPmanW
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Anything that untaps itself is worth a second look, especially when it can protect itself from your opponent's removal spells. This guy is a perfect combo piece. Power of fire is a good start.
Nagoragama
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The change to the way combat damage works makes this card completely unplayable.
Kryptnyt
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
BIZARRO!
ZioKai
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Gving the popularity of Izzet color matching decks, a Torchling and Morphling combo and combat tricks deck would be a viable idea. Untap is very powerful ability especially coupled with cards like Leaden Fists for classic red beats. Force block is also great with cards that give deathtouch like Gorgon Flail or Basilisk Collar. A Shunt effect is more powerful than shroud as it allows me to decide where to place it. The last 2 abilities are more combat tricks than anything. Can't attack/block unless its power is equal to the number of cards in your hand - fine. Can only be blocked by creatures with power X or higher - fine. Excellent utility card.
sonorhC
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Also remember that forcing things to block this can effectively give evasion to all your other creatures.
So in the favor of color equality (as Wizards loves to do, hence "cycles"), where is the white and black versions?
Undertakerx7
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
WOW now is this a planeshifted reprint, but was it really meant to be? The other ones are indicated with text printed in white. MTG has done something that I totally agree with in this card!
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This thing is far weaker then the blue and green lings. First of all lets looks at the shunting. The shroud will make them not cast there stuff just like the shunting, but shunting is situationally must worse. 2 examples are they only have black creatures + Doom Blade, or this guy is the only creature on the field. It also traded flying for a weak provoke, while giving it no way to regenerate or make good use of it. Morphling was good because if they had no way to block flyers, It was up too 5 damage every turn, that was nearly immune to removal. This thing has 0 evasion and a crappy firebreathing in red.
DoragonShinzui
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I'd love to see this locked in combat with Morphling. Someone should draw that.
twiddleman12
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Type your comment here.
orisiti
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This needs to be in my Naya stompy with No Quarter.
Currently I use Nacatl Hunt-Pride in a similar fashion, but it can only hit one thing a turn.
One thing that players should keep in mind about Torchling is that it has a niche as being basically the only red Horseshoe Crab. As far as I know, no other monored creature can untap as easily and frequently as this one. This means that it combos well with Impelled Giant.
Comments (27)
(50th card I've rated. Um, yay?)
torchling needed an evasion ability
at least thornling has indestructible and trample which is just as good as an evasion ability, although not as good as flying and shroud
at best the only good use of this card is an expensive wall that untaps.
i highly doubt you will use its target changing ability and there is not much use for it although i think it is better than shroud, shroud will last you untill the end of the turn
i would still give it 4/5 though but not as good as morphling, and i dont think it is quite as good as thornling
No one will even target this thing.
Basically, this is much more useful than a lot of people are saying it is. Not exactly worth the mana, but if you manage to get it out and use it correctly, it'll do good things.
On the other hand, i love the art and flavor on this guy.
Could be of some use as a more flexible Hateflayer if you're playing a 'machine gun' deck .
I think this is a nice variant of Morphling.
To all of you who complain that the 'shunt' ability is completely useless, YOU ARE STUPID!
It practically does the SAME JOB as the Morphling's Morphling gains shroud until end of the turn.
IT DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM TARGETING IT!
Sure, this Shunt ability is slightly weaker that it can only block target of a spell that ONLY target Torchling, but this is rarely the problem.
Also, evasion and target creature must block ability are different. Evasion allows creatures to attack opponent directly, while target creature must block ability can take out utility creatures with low p/t, which I think is not a terrible ability. The reason why Torchling didn't see play is that usually red decks run early aggression rather than going for mid-range or long game.
Then this red one.
Now we have a green one.
So in the favor of color equality (as Wizards loves to do, hence "cycles"), where is the white and black versions?
Currently I use Nacatl Hunt-Pride in a similar fashion, but it can only hit one thing a turn.