1: Amazing art. Gothic dragon art should look appropriately awesome, and this art fits the bill.
2: Amazing ability. My opponent putting this down would put me on edge. Dragons are already agonizing to contend with, and I would pull out all the stops to stop it from roasting me.
3: Amazing flavortext. Flavortext for mythic rares should be awesome, and this example is quite so.
Dragons seem very out of place in gothic horror. However this feels natural, it looks similar to a gargoyle.
I just wish they would be a little more creative with dragons, I mean we get it! They breathe fire. Maybe if this had some sort of Morbid trigger it would feel a little more unique. I don't know. Maybe its just me.
Vedalken_Arbiter
★★★☆☆ (3.4/5.0)(4 votes)
For an obligatory dragon it could have been a bit more...scary. I mean sure setting everyone on fire is nice but dragons don't have to feel this generic do they?
brunsbr103
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Dragons do have their part in gothic horror; or at least folklore. Every time i see this card i think of St. George and the dragon... or at least St. Traft and the dragon
I don't think even Harry Potter can kill this thing...
ICEFANG13
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(6 votes)
When Balefire Dragon deals combat damage to a player, if the game you are playing is a casual magic (rt) game. That player either loses the game or gets so far behind he loses the game.
.Blaze.
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
DAT ART. I want a dozen just for the art alone.
Odds are this will be to slow for standard, but it should be back breaking in EDH. Can't wait to see what he does there.
blitzer090909
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
love the card for casual, big body with flying with a powerful ability and amazing artwork...just all kinds of awsome
PEVE_O
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(7 votes)
oooh another dragon that breathes fire on creatures... what will they think of next.
DragonicSphinx
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I lovingly hate this thing. It will be a pain in the arse whenever anyone pulls it in sealed or limited, though it will be awesome if you're the one behind it. And its going to be perfect in my casual riku's-copies deck ^_^
Though I agree the flavor is kinda off, they could've at least thrown in a sphinx too!
Tempted_Johnny
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(4 votes)
Justifies the existance of Geosurge. On turn 4, you could drop Koth of the Hammer, use his -2, and then geosurge into this! Excessive? Maybe, but dropping a double-threat in the color that least relies on control may be the best move you can do.
infernox10
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(7 votes)
Screw it. Throw a Basilisk Collar on him and call it a game.
majinara
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.9/5.0)(5 votes)
Neat. Of course it's ability is totall useless if your opponent controls no creatures, and in case it might even hurt you when your opponent controls cards such as wall of souls, souls of the faultless, stuffy doll etc. So Bogardan Hellkite is far better. Still not bad. 3.5/5
To all those who say this card is unplayable, something is wrong with you.. A dragon that can wipe out the board clear if left unchecked.. Swiftfoot Boots will make a good footwear for this dragon.. Red is a leading mana-ramp color in standard these days, a turn two of this guy (Infernal Plunge - Geosurge yo!) is a hell for your opponent if unanswered might even be turn one with Memnite around.. And with Assault Strobe and Fling in standard, this will carve a hatred in your hearts the following weeks and years.. A nice addition to dragon clan, and a great art for a dragon in Innistrad.. Seems like the art looks more of a vampiric dragon to me..
nobody's saying this isn't a good card. it's just that, well, it's been done. not this exact thing mind you. but the 'feeling' has been done before. this card is boring.
HuntedWumpusMustDie
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.9/5.0)(4 votes)
A boring dragon, and a disappointing mythic rare. It best exemplifies none of the themes from the series, which most of the best mythic rares do. It feel like it was cut and pasted from a core set.... A mythic rare devil would have been much more cool.
He costs 1 more for flying instead of firebreathing and deals five damage (pending alteration) to every creature the enemy controls...even Thrun the Last Troll and other hexproofers.
roguepariah
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(8 votes)
Give him first strike and he'll wipe your opponents board before his creatures get to deal damage. Maybe Runechanter's Pike?
Wow! One of the few dragons that makes me think a non-Dragonstorm dragon deck could work! Far superior to Ancient Hellkite!
kiseki
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Fair because you need to get it through. Ancient Hellkite and Flameblast Dragon both clear their own way prior to the blocking phase, while this can be chump blocked. Of course you have the entire next turn to burn away the possible blockers before he can attack. I recommend playing him with Soulbright Flamekin so you can get him out a turn earlier and and give him trample. Also, a fun target for Zirilan of the Claw.
Arachnos
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(5 votes)
Looks like this guy was tailored to counter that Army of the Damned. Along with Blasphemous Act. And a lot of other things in that set, actually.
Saikuba
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(22 votes)
My favorite part of Dracula is when they had to fight the giant dragon. Or maybe that happened in Frankenstein?
Pulled at prerelease. Pretty much demolished each time i drew it, which was only three times the entire night. But there was almost no removal in this set, as victim of night was awful at the prerelease, and oftentimes i would be able to clear off nonflyers who were about to kill me.
Tycodragon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Known to my group of friends as Boardwipe dragon x)! Great card, very nice art. When you hardcast this, it works well with In the Web of War. Haste and +2/+0, yes please. Also works well with stuff that give him double strike, trample and basicly everything that gives him a damage boost x)
Mr.Freshness-Timmy
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
As a passive EDH player (commander will never catch on), I was using my 5 colour scion deck against a token deck that just made infinite tokens with a ghave, doubling season and ashnod's altar. My opponent laughed in my face and declared I should just quit then. I had one creature out (my general), and he was at full. Luckily he had never seen this innistrad bad-@$$ scion tutored for it, and my draw for the turn happened to be a sword of kaldra. Guess who rage quits next turn :)
At first I was all "This is worse than Mordant Dragon, WTF!"
Then I saw the words "each creature that player controls."
However, Steel Hellkite is still amazing for killing enchantments, something red decks are not known to be capable of.
ZirilanoftheClaw
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
equip basilisk collar = block this or ELSE gain 6 life, destroy every creature your opponent controls and gain 6 life for each creature destroyed this way
Tiemuuu
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
You know, after pulling this card at a booster draft, I'm really eager to tell how good this card ACTUALLY is in limited formats.
But I can't.
The only time i got to play this card, it got bounced TWICE by my opponent, and then it was too late. The most frustrating moment in the evening, no doubt. Those things apart, it's one sexy beast, no questions
Radagast
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Fun with Karthus since he gets Haste, which can result in a surprise board-wipe on your opponent.
deadeye1387
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Mordant Dragon just got outdated. But at least it came with a power-boosting feature...
This dragon unleashes constant Lavalanches on your opponents when it successfully hits. Definitely a lot of fun when given something like Basilisk Collar.
DevourerJay
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card can be put at the end of your opponent's turn with a Quicksilver Amulet... let's not forget that.
that right there is a killer, because then you can attack and wipe their field (most likely)
SkaerKrow
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Another solid chunky red beater that wishes that there wasn't so much removal in Standard right now.
Shadoflaam
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I like it but why is it Mythic in terms of flavor? I'm not complaining, I just want to hear from a person who reads the books...
PatMacMusic
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
sorry, new to forum, use with Savage Beating
shotoku64
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(7 votes)
"Mikaeus, I think we took a wrong turn at Gavony..."
pedrodyl
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card= :) The fact that this card is most likely the only dragon in Innistrad block= :( Also, they need to make a wallpaper of this meow!' EDIT: It has been done! my desktop now rejoices with the awesomeness that is balefire dragon's art.
Dust Corona. Love the art. That is one badass mofo dragon. Some dragons just look dumb, like Voracious Dragon. He looks mentally damaged to me.
Okuu-chan
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Grafted Exoskeleton. What? Indestructible creatures? I don't see any indestructible creatures.
S-r-ex
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
@ignaeon:
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Bale doesn't go with Mage Slayer any better than any other power 6 creature. Bale's ability triggers through combat damage, that is, when he himself lands a strike on your opponent unblocked or through trample. Still, it's 6 damage almost guaranteed to slip through unless prevented.
phyrexiantrygon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Hey look! Its Mordant Dragon's older brother. And boy does he look ***ed...
Hanksingle
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Edit:
I wanted it to be good. I still imagine the look of dull horror on someone playing BW tokens should you ever brave the wall of O-rings, Doom Blades, and endless flying tokens to ACTUALLY hit with this guy - I'm just not expecting it to happen often enough to bother putting it in your deck.
And then they flashback Increasing Devotion. Sigh.
ignaeon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Combos nicely with Mage slayer.
Edit: no wait, I'm wrong. I got exited when I saw that ability and jumped the gun. well, there are a lot of good combos mentioned already.
Totema
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Give it trample, then ask "Hey, what happened to your board?"
PinkleDadandy
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Player1: Bish imma kill yo army of myrs with mah two balefire dragons!!!
Player 2: Awh hell no! Dispense Justice!!
Player 1: ....Well shiiiit....
humor_love
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Yeah. Fairly balanced since the damage to the player must be combat damage; and since the creature has no built-in defense against counter-magic, destruction, or removal - targeted or otherwise. It's still pretty obscene and game-changing, though; which is why it needs that red-gold instead of yellow gold.
More fun to play than Dragon Tyrant? Possibly. It's certainly more efficient at board control, if not at straight opponent-killing.
DarthParallax
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Let me explain to everyone what this creature type is doing on Innistrad: Kaalia of the Vast. nuff said. This guy is scary enough when you're actually paying mana for him to only have summmoning sickness. Take away both of those....o.O Innistrad isn't a slave to 'the only things that are scary are what's in Universal Studios Monster movies' Innistrad is the place where anything sufficiently scary makes sense. "Holy *** Shit thats the scariest thing Ive ever seen in my godforsaken existence." is what you say about the THREE-DROPS! (Skaab Ruinator) and the big giant flying evil things-- you don't actually feel fear. there's no time for that. you just die.
Edit: apparently 'nuff said' isn't actually 'nuff said'. No, I can't be sure that Kaalia was born on Innistrad- in fact she probably wasn't. But I think if she were a planeswalker (she's not, I know) she would be comfortable on Innistrad.
If you look carefully at the kinds of wings the Demons and Dragons here have, then you'll see that they seem to share an art style with Kaalia, and there's just something about juxtaposing Kaalia with the Angels Demons and Dragons of Innistrad that makes me see something in the Dragons that actually feels Innistrady. It's more abstract than the normal 'Savor the Flavor'- but I feel Gavony Township makes Dragons make sense. Something about a village of peasants....needs Dragons. Is that more clear? If Kaalia of the Vast would feel at home on Innistrad (which I'm sure she would) then Dragons must have a place, there, too.
Give him unblockable or trample and laugh in ur opponents face.
5/5
In casual play tell ur friends that they need to read twice the triggered ability. Yeah... alot of angry faces incoming when u strike them with this bombing deagon.
@Saikuba: You may already no this, but Wizard's policy is that there will be Dragons in every set, even when it doesn't make since flavor-wise. This is simply because Dragons are far and away the most popular creature type. The more you know.
MindAblaze
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Trample isn't the best with this guy because optimally you want him to get through for everything. Not that even three damage to their whole board isn't good, but unblockable or protection would be nicer. Or what has already been said Kessig wolf run. This guy ravages you though if you can't deal with flyers.
llavering71
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Just a quick question I need to have answered. When this card successfully hits a player, would the damage then dealt to each creature he controls bypass hexproof or protection from red? I think it would, my friend thinks otherwise.
you play it down
increasing savagery
whispersilk cloak
alphagprime
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
It's like a built in Bonfire.
Also, it may not need mentioning but I see a lot of talk about hard casting this guy. Mind you guys that in red already at the 1 slot we have Faithless Looting. In red's allied color of black we also have Unburial Rites. If you can find a convenient way of generating white mana you can have him out as early as turn 5 by flashing Unburial Rites. Of course turn 4 your opponent probably has plenty of counters, bounces, and removal. By the time you manage to reach 7 mana you probably will have a better chance of keeping him around but still, can you imagine turning this guy sideways on turn 5? OUCH!
@llavering71
Yes, it does bypass Hexproof. Hexproof prevents creatures from effects that say " destroy target creature", "return target creature", etc. The keyword there being "target". Things that effect all creatures bypass Hexproof because they do not "target" a specific creature.
The effect does NOT bypass protection from red. Protection means that not only can abilities not target that creature (the same as Hexproof) but creatures are also immune to any effect that would otherwise bypass the targeting restriction. In the reminder text for protection I believe it even specifically states "cannot be dealt damage by" but I could be wrong.
Abberon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Just won a game with this by accident. I got my boros humans deck mixed up with my silly dragon deck (same color card sleeves) and I had 4 life left with nothing but weenies and tokens. My opponent had 3 black fliers tapped and 17 life. I was dead next turn until I drew and...WTF is HE in my deck for!?! Soulbond with lightning mauler, hits opponent for 6 and wipes his board. I win next turn. Best mistake ever.
AeternusEclipse
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is a Bonfire of the Damned on a 6/6 body. That's pretty decent for 7 mana. People will be finding ways to bring it out faster with more impact.
high_tide_niv
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Repercussion and a couple of creatures and gg
BongRipper420
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Red Eyes Black Dragon?!
Areps
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
ballin dragon!!!
Equinox523
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
In addition to all the suggestions posted, also hilarious with Double Cleave. Like your damage with a side of potentially massive lifegain? Lifelink.
This guy is AMAZING. Seriously, one of the best Dragons. He only needs to hit once and you're saved.
Ligerman30
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Bonfire Dragon! Very nasty with clone effects and Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker or just in multiples. Beats the crap out of 99% of aggro decks. Probably not good enough for any just normal beatdown deck. I mean he is good to have in play but 7 mana is pretty steep for the faster formats without acceleration or reanimation. (This is an edh all star btw) Also regarding edh, if you warhammer this guy up, the game is freaking over. A bit like a red angel of serenity without the graveyard shenannigans. Just wish it had haste, but, that would be so absurd. Love this card. XD
kronos1225
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
his net wings look "evil" and the red moon on the background make it a good addition to innistrad block as horror creature
willex
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@JFM2796 drakula means dragon/devil in romanion, food for thought
MrShinyObject
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Kusari Gama
HAHAHA OOOOOH NOW THAT'S EVIL.
Sironos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
One of Kaalia's favourtie pets. People usually go "oh a dragon, how quaint, so I lose 6 extra life, oh no I'm ever so scared", then they read the card and the response that follows is always good entertainment, whether they freeze, shout a lot of profanity, or just ragequit ^^
Of all the things to see a Basilisk Collar attached to... aside from a Goblin Sharpshooter... this one scares me most. A Loxodon Warhammer would also be pretty disgusting. -- "Oh hey, goblin deck! I'll just take 9 life per creature..."
MortisAngelus
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I love everything this guy has. Should have had either hexproof or trample, but still gets 5/5.
Team this one up with "Bloodmark Mentor", "Caged Sun", "Archetype of Aggression", "Savage Beating", and "Lord of Shatterskull Pass", and you'e got yourself a tough-@$$ boardwhipe deck. Finnish off with "Mogg Infestation" and "Gruul Charm". To have a loxodon warhammer around ain't half-bad either.
K34
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I thought bonfire of the damned was over powered... I had no idea you could pretty much cast it every turn for free with this thing! I have seriously never opened a bad innistrad booster.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This guy is a monster, his presence demands an answer and his art is incredible.... That being said, with all these token decks running around he needs trample for this environment, and it would have made him that much more fearsome. He would still be vulnerable to any kind of spell so it would not break anything.
Of course its not hard to give him trample! Just doesn't feel right when this beastly creature gets chumped by a spirit token then you get swarm killed next turn.
Comments (84)
1: Amazing art. Gothic dragon art should look appropriately awesome, and this art fits the bill.
2: Amazing ability. My opponent putting this down would put me on edge. Dragons are already agonizing to contend with, and I would pull out all the stops to stop it from roasting me.
3: Amazing flavortext. Flavortext for mythic rares should be awesome, and this example is quite so.
Also, combos well with Furnace of Rath. Just saying.
I just wish they would be a little more creative with dragons, I mean we get it! They breathe fire. Maybe if this had some sort of Morbid trigger it would feel a little more unique. I don't know. Maybe its just me.
...
yeah...
Odds are this will be to slow for standard, but it should be back breaking in EDH. Can't wait to see what he does there.
Though I agree the flavor is kinda off, they could've at least thrown in a sphinx too!
Throw a Basilisk Collar on him and call it a game.
3.5/5
A dragon that can wipe out the board clear if left unchecked.. Swiftfoot Boots will make a good footwear for this dragon.. Red is a leading mana-ramp color in standard these days, a turn two of this guy (Infernal Plunge - Geosurge yo!) is a hell for your opponent if unanswered might even be turn one with Memnite around.. And with Assault Strobe and Fling in standard, this will carve a hatred in your hearts the following weeks and years..
A nice addition to dragon clan, and a great art for a dragon in Innistrad.. Seems like the art looks more of a vampiric dragon to me..
He costs 1 more for flying instead of firebreathing and deals five damage (pending alteration) to every creature the enemy controls...even Thrun the Last Troll and other hexproofers.
Maybe Runechanter's Pike?
Trample helps too, maybe Kessig Wolf Run? or even using Traitorous Blood on your own creature.
Also, a fun target for Zirilan of the Claw.
Also works well with stuff that give him double strike, trample and basicly everything that gives him a damage boost x)
My opponent laughed in my face and declared I should just quit then.
I had one creature out (my general), and he was at full.
Luckily he had never seen this innistrad bad-@$$
scion tutored for it, and my draw for the turn happened to be a sword of kaldra.
Guess who rage quits next turn :)
Then I saw the words "each creature that player controls."
However, Steel Hellkite is still amazing for killing enchantments, something red decks are not known to be capable of.
gain 6 life, destroy every creature your opponent controls and gain 6 life for each creature destroyed this way
But I can't.
The only time i got to play this card, it got bounced TWICE by my opponent, and then it was too late. The most frustrating moment in the evening, no doubt. Those things apart, it's one sexy beast, no questions
http://soundcloud.com/ironclad_music/dueling-the-balefire-dragon
that right there is a killer, because then you can attack and wipe their field (most likely)
The fact that this card is most likely the only dragon in Innistrad block= :(
Also, they need to make a wallpaper of this meow!'
EDIT: It has been done! my desktop now rejoices with the awesomeness that is balefire dragon's art.
@darthparallax is Kaalia of the Vast really from Innistrad?
Love the art. That is one badass mofo dragon. Some dragons just look dumb, like Voracious Dragon. He looks mentally damaged to me.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Bale doesn't go with Mage Slayer any better than any other power 6 creature. Bale's ability triggers through combat damage, that is, when he himself lands a strike on your opponent unblocked or through trample. Still, it's 6 damage almost guaranteed to slip through unless prevented.
I wanted it to be good. I still imagine the look of dull horror on someone playing BW tokens should you ever brave the wall of O-rings, Doom Blades, and endless flying tokens to ACTUALLY hit with this guy - I'm just not expecting it to happen often enough to bother putting it in your deck.
And then they flashback Increasing Devotion. Sigh.
Edit: no wait, I'm wrong. I got exited when I saw that ability and jumped the gun. well, there are a lot of good combos mentioned already.
Player 2: Awh hell no! Dispense Justice!!
Player 1: ....Well shiiiit....
More fun to play than Dragon Tyrant? Possibly. It's certainly more efficient at board control, if not at straight opponent-killing.
Kaalia of the Vast. nuff said.
This guy is scary enough when you're actually paying mana for him to only have summmoning sickness. Take away both of those....o.O
Innistrad isn't a slave to 'the only things that are scary are what's in Universal Studios Monster movies'
Innistrad is the place where anything sufficiently scary makes sense. "Holy *** Shit thats the scariest thing Ive ever seen in my godforsaken existence." is what you say about the THREE-DROPS! (Skaab Ruinator) and the big giant flying evil things-- you don't actually feel fear. there's no time for that. you just die.
Edit: apparently 'nuff said' isn't actually 'nuff said'. No, I can't be sure that Kaalia was born on Innistrad- in fact she probably wasn't. But I think if she were a planeswalker (she's not, I know) she would be comfortable on Innistrad.
If you look carefully at the kinds of wings the Demons and Dragons here have, then you'll see that they seem to share an art style with Kaalia, and there's just something about juxtaposing Kaalia with the Angels Demons and Dragons of Innistrad that makes me see something in the Dragons that actually feels Innistrady. It's more abstract than the normal 'Savor the Flavor'- but I feel Gavony Township makes Dragons make sense. Something about a village of peasants....needs Dragons. Is that more clear? If Kaalia of the Vast would feel at home on Innistrad (which I'm sure she would) then Dragons must have a place, there, too.
5/5
In casual play tell ur friends that they need to read twice the triggered ability. Yeah... alot of angry faces incoming when u strike them with this bombing deagon.
The more you know.
This guy ravages you though if you can't deal with flyers.
increasing savagery
whispersilk cloak
Also, it may not need mentioning but I see a lot of talk about hard casting this guy. Mind you guys that in red already at the 1 slot we have Faithless Looting. In red's allied color of black we also have Unburial Rites. If you can find a convenient way of generating white mana you can have him out as early as turn 5 by flashing Unburial Rites. Of course turn 4 your opponent probably has plenty of counters, bounces, and removal. By the time you manage to reach 7 mana you probably will have a better chance of keeping him around but still, can you imagine turning this guy sideways on turn 5? OUCH!
@llavering71
Yes, it does bypass Hexproof. Hexproof prevents creatures from effects that say " destroy target creature", "return target creature", etc. The keyword there being "target". Things that effect all creatures bypass Hexproof because they do not "target" a specific creature.
The effect does NOT bypass protection from red. Protection means that not only can abilities not target that creature (the same as Hexproof) but creatures are also immune to any effect that would otherwise bypass the targeting restriction. In the reminder text for protection I believe it even specifically states "cannot be dealt damage by" but I could be wrong.
Turn 2: Rootbound Crag, Somberwald Sage
Turn 3: Kessig Wolf Run, Balefire Dragon
Turn 4: Attack for big tramply damage in the air.
Battlefield? What battlefield?
Yay for Wolf Run Ramp.
HAHAHA OOOOOH NOW THAT'S EVIL.
also, ah yes, innistrad home of overpowered monsters.
Team this one up with "Bloodmark Mentor", "Caged Sun", "Archetype of Aggression", "Savage Beating", and "Lord of Shatterskull Pass", and you'e got yourself a tough-@$$ boardwhipe deck. Finnish off with "Mogg Infestation" and "Gruul Charm". To have a loxodon warhammer around ain't half-bad either.
Of course its not hard to give him trample! Just doesn't feel right when this beastly creature gets chumped by a spirit token then you get swarm killed next turn.
EDIT: Okay with the help of Gilded lotus, Fervor, Birds of Paradise, I have played a hasted Balefire on turn 4!! Kessig Wolf Run is an easy way of giving him trample.