It's not good, it's terrible. It took WotC forever to realize that nobody wants to buy card packs when there's a chance that there may be a completely useless card like this in it. A card that is useless even before the drawback...lol
I think the reaction to Kamigawa Block opened their eyes a bit. That whole block was 98% useless, 1% good, and 1% ridiculously broken. Starting with Ravnica block, the rock jockeys of the magic world have been thankfully scarce.
A3Kitsune
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(5 votes)
@Laguz:
Rock Jockey isn't "useless even befor the drawback". He's a 3/3 for 3. Without the drawback, that's very good. Only green gets 3/3s for 3 without drawbacks (and gold, but they require two colors for their cost, which is a drawback of it's own). Yea, after the drawback, he's rather bad, but it's only the drawback that makes him bad.
And Kamigawa block was more overcosted/underpowered then outright useless.
Slarkate
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
It is not that bad when you already have a Æther Vial with enough counters on it and a Zo-Zu the Punisher on the table.
JakeTamber
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Although this card is a bad example, I think this is a great idea.
If it were a 4/4 or had haste or flying or something, with this drawback, it would be interesting.
NuckChorris
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I consider this a classic, even if it's not that great. At the least it's a non-Legendary goblin with 3 power that doesn't kill itself at end of turn, make you skip your next turn, or some other horrible effect. Goblins don't need that many lands anyway, especially with the Lackey.
jfre81
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Use mana-producing Myrs in place of land and this isn't terrible. 3/3 for 3 CMC isn't too easy to come across in red without drawbacks, and this one's not as bad as some. No impact at all after the turn you play it.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Hey its a 3/3 goblin for 3. In a goblin deck that only needs 3 lands, he is playable. One goblin lord out and you got yourself a 4/4 haste.
But, a reality check. When was the last time centaur courser was tournament worthy? Vanilla 3/3 for 3 is not constructed worthy in any color.
Earthdawn
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Skirk Prospector T1 or T2 and sacrifice him to cast Rock Jockey on T3... or you know, just don't play it :)
Drewskithelegend
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Considering Hill Giant is the historic standard 3/3 in red and it was a 4-drop, this seems right. It's not playable by today's standards but must have been a step up back in the day.
Cards like this don't often see much in the way of constructed play, but in sealed they are adequate.
JarieSuicune
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@ TheWrathofShane: Ever since Centaur Courser was a ton hotter than most other non-vanilla 3/3 out there.
Comments (12)
I think the reaction to Kamigawa Block opened their eyes a bit. That whole block was 98% useless, 1% good, and 1% ridiculously broken. Starting with Ravnica block, the rock jockeys of the magic world have been thankfully scarce.
Rock Jockey isn't "useless even befor the drawback". He's a 3/3 for 3. Without the drawback, that's very good. Only green gets 3/3s for 3 without drawbacks (and gold, but they require two colors for their cost, which is a drawback of it's own). Yea, after the drawback, he's rather bad, but it's only the drawback that makes him bad.
And Kamigawa block was more overcosted/underpowered then outright useless.
If it were a 4/4 or had haste or flying or something, with this drawback, it would be interesting.
But, a reality check. When was the last time centaur courser was tournament worthy? Vanilla 3/3 for 3 is not constructed worthy in any color.
Cards like this don't often see much in the way of constructed play, but in sealed they are adequate.