the extremely low rating is amusing for a very solid creature. this should normally get 2.5-3 for simple utility. an excellent example of cards that become bad because of powercreep.
LimePeel
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I was hoping for a new good spider to come out. I guess my wait will continue....
2.0/5
MrPink343
★★★☆☆ (3.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Can't think of any reason to play this over Deadly Recluse.
True_Mumin
★★★☆☆ (3.1/5.0)(4 votes)
What, did they run out of ideas...? Why does this card even exist?
True_Smog
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
Just another useless spider, move along...
blindthrall
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Powercreep's one thing, but there are many cards better than this.
my Grappler Spider died when some idiot placed a greasy pizza box on top of my deck.
Hayw00d0909
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Deadly Recluse is a 10x's better option if you ask me.
Tommy9898
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Hey, do you know what the cheap uncommon flier that is most responsible for dominating zen limited as soon as it hits the table is? Vampire nighthawk. Hey, do you know what great flier grappler spider can't even trade with is? Vampire nighthawk.
I mean really, the only way to deal with that thing in limited without paying 5 mana or sacrificing something is journey to nowhere. This could have been a great common answer to a card that can just win by its self but no, we got garbage.
mike_stubbs1
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
I have never understood why spiders in Magic generally lack what almost every spider in nature has: venom. I'd also take their webs causing a Wall of Frost-style effect for flavour. The vast majority of them are tedious and weak, like this one.
Toversnol
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(1 vote)
I can't realy see a spider in this... It looks like some insect with a big *** on his head! :/
TDL
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
And then they printed Sporecap Spider. In the next set. With only one power, it doesn't kill many fliers, but at least it can survive to block again.
Paolino
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
From Mark Rosewater's article When cards go bad, Monday January 28 2002:
In Summation
That in a mutant-sized nutshell is why we make “bad cards." To recap (or to fill in for those unwilling to read the long version):
By definition, some bad cards have to exist. (The most important reason.) Some cards are “bad” because they aren’t meant for you. Some cards are “bad” because they’re designed for a less advanced player. Some cards are “bad” because the right deck for them doesn’t exist yet. “Bad” cards reward the more skilled player. Some players enjoy discovering good “bad” cards. Some “bad” cards are simply R&D goofing up.
This is the full article http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/ld/164
1qazxsw
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Eh, in a set like Worldwake, I think we can handle a kind of crappy common in exchange for nearly all the other cards in the pack being solid.
Comments (24)
an excellent example of cards that become bad because of powercreep.
2.0/5
Hey, do you know what great flier grappler spider can't even trade with is? Vampire nighthawk.
I mean really, the only way to deal with that thing in limited without paying 5 mana or sacrificing something is journey to nowhere. This could have been a great common answer to a card that can just win by its self but no, we got garbage.
In Summation
That in a mutant-sized nutshell is why we make “bad cards." To recap (or to fill in for those unwilling to read the long version):
By definition, some bad cards have to exist. (The most important reason.)
Some cards are “bad” because they aren’t meant for you.
Some cards are “bad” because they’re designed for a less advanced player.
Some cards are “bad” because the right deck for them doesn’t exist yet.
“Bad” cards reward the more skilled player.
Some players enjoy discovering good “bad” cards.
Some “bad” cards are simply R&D goofing up.
This is the full article
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/ld/164