Pointed Discussion

This guy should be called Realm Weaver just to make a cycle of spiders in the Shards block.

A good version would have 5/5 or 5/4, then it could have had some power with other power fives. A great version would be able to give the other power five reach. (Not that I dislike it) but flavor wise it doesn't make sense for Mosstodon to be like "Hey power five buddy, you want trample?" "Sure!" If the (very good name leoman I agree it would be a perfect name for this block especially if it was turned into just basic land cycling for all five lands) Realm Weaver made the web, other creatures big enough should be able to get them. But as far as spiders go, this one is not bad and the art, while misleading, is cool.

There's just so many better things you can play for 6 unfortunately. Even the cycling is lame, just keep rampant growths or harrows around. The game doesn't like green beasts unless they have special abilities. Decks just have too much removal these days. Great art though, and I guess it could be cool in an all-spider deck.

I'd probably end up using this card for landcycling rather than for its actual use xD

You guys are missing the point. You aren't always going to have the green for Rampant Growth and cycling is also done at instant speed. Yes, instant speed may not be relevant all the time, but it is still a plus. A 4/5 reach for 6 is efficient in Limited and Pauper. If it was a 5/5 reach, then you would be approaching constructed territory. Giant Spider was always a decent pick in limited, this is 2/1 bigger for 2 mana more, and can be cycled. A 4/5 reach is often going to be the biggest creature on the battlefield in limited. Add the the fact that it's cycling ability is quite good and this card because an insane common in limited. As for Pauper, Twisted Abomination was always good in that format. This is about the same size, with reach instead of regen, and can find two different types of lands instead of just swamps. Ok, even in Pauper maybe it isn't overpowered, but there is some use for it. Obviously it isn't good enough for standard constructed.

I give it a 4 for being a limited powerhouse.

Realm Weaver sounds infinitely cooler and more appropriate than Pale Recluse. You should work for Wizards' naming department.

Yeah. I like the idea, but it takes too much of a splash, and for not much in return.

I find this whole cycle of creatures that can cycle for one of two basic lands to be quite helpful in EDH, especially if you're running 3+ colors. Slight thinning and a land you may very well need for the nice low cost of 2. I can get behind that.

Call a 4/5 with reach small, but when its coming at you on turn 3 due to some mass reanimation strategy, small is deadly!

There are much better spiders, and the best thing this has going for it is the cycling. The art is really pretty though - a spider from Naya (I think) quietly spinning webs in Esper. The shards are united!

I love this cycle of land-cyclers!
Awesome common color-fixing and common beaters for limited. A real workhorse with lovely art.
Landcycling on big dudes is just amazing for that awkward not-quite-drawing-land-number-three point of the game.

Totally agree that Realm Weaver would have been a sweet name for this guy. It's hard to be reclusive when you're that big.

I feel this card is under-rated. I use him in my Doran EDH deck. If I draw him early, I cycle him to pull a Bayou, Scrubland or Savannah out of my deck which is always a huge help. If I draw him once my mana is stabilized, I play him as a creature. He also works great because my mostly treefolk Doran deck has no flying creatures and no other creatures with reach. With Doran out, he can swap with Thundermaw Hellkite and other 5/5 flyers. Its his versatility which makes him great. I love the art work also. An easy 4/5 stars for casual and EDH formats.