Pointed Discussion

Better than Giant Growth under some circumstances.

I agree. Like the Ravnica Seals, this card is still great. In contrast to the Giant Growth, you can play this on your 1st turn and leave it until you need it, instead of having to leavy 1 mana unused or waiting to cast that fattie of yours because of your opponent's burn spells.

Wait...seal of STRENGTH...what card...is this...reffering to?!?!?!
I can't figure it out...it seems so similar to a card that I have played with.
Hmm, maybe I'm just crazy

I think its far more versatile than Giant Growth. As an avid multiplayer guy, I can appreciate the effect of deterrence something like this provides.
Also, you can play it and use it on different turns, meaning you can do more to boost a single creature in one turn- great for Berserk decks.

Meh, most times I would rather use Giant Growth simply for the fact that once my opponent sees it, he's consistently aware of an untapped Forest.
But hey, this thing is still very good.

It's better than giant growth I think, but more defensive, because, as mentioned the opponent wont attack you with a 4/4 if you got a 2/2, without having a trick, so their monster wont die, but wont attack either meaning, you wont loose your the +3/+3 either. But of course not as surprising, but that's a trick itself.

This is slightly worse than giant growth, although it is the same casting cost as giant growth, and it can be sac'd as an instant. Main differences:

1) Lose the element of surprise. You can' t surprise ambush a 4/4 fatty with your 2/2. Seal is not an instant, unlike giant growth.
2) Gain greater mana efficiency.You can play Seal whenever a single land is available, rather than keeping a land untapped just in case your opponent attacks. You could also play it on turn 1, before a creature is available.

Seal does provide a sense of intimidation. Your opponent knows you can pump your creature when he attacks. Giant growth, however, provides masked, hidden intimidation. If you have one land untapped he will always wonder if you have growth...

Overall, it is a good complement to giant growth. But, nothing special.

I would only run this if i already had 4 giant growths. But over all its not that bad, as slightly worse than an exelent card is not bad at all.

I'd run THAT in a pauper infect deck...

This is definitely worse than giant growth, which was already mediocre.

The whole point of combat tricks is surprise. Oh, your 4/4 is attacking? I block with my 2/2, giant growth.

You can't do that with this. It's on the field, your opponent can see it. In this situation they won't be attacking with their 4/4 into your 2/2 unless they're stupid or they have their own combat trick.

@mdawk576, how is Giant Growth "mediocre"? In the right circumstance, it can both save your creature and kill something of the opponent's. And while there have been a few cards that are situationally better than it, we've yet to see something strictly better.

Actually the situation is like this:

When you have a 2/2 and this out then your opponent wont attack with her 4/4. So next turn you attack with your 2/2 and she won't block. So you drop anoter 2/2.

It is a Giant Growth where you can spend the on turn 1 or 2 or whenever, so you dont have to save the for the growth. You can be free to tap out without concern.

The disadvantage is there's no surprise factor, but the advantage is you can stop a bigger creature from blocking//attacking by simply having this out on the board. 4.5/5

Another thing you could run this with.... Giant Growth as well.

EDIT: How did I get a 2.5? My comment is solid and I am giving the card props...

It's also very nice in enchantress decks.

Follow it up with a Blighted Agent and watch your opponent comb their hand uncomfortably for turn 2 removal.

This card is better or worse then Giant Growth, depending on the situation and deck. If your deck has 8 one drops and 8 two drops, then you want Growth. Why? This is a one drop, and your curve will be off. You lose the element of surprise and your curve. But, if you are empty on one drops, then this is excellent. Turn one or two, then your guys are protected, saving your curve while you lose surprise. It just depends on the deck.

@mdakw576
You say that like keeping your opponent from attacking you or blocking your creature is a BAD thing.

The art reminds me of Wolfbitten Captive. Sadly, it doesn't work with the heroic creatures in theros.
@TheWrathofShane
Even though there isn't much surprise with this card, the opponent still doesn't know when it'll be used. Also, your opponent might be too busy worrying about when this will be used to consider the possibility that you have another pump spell in your hand.