In all seriousness, this thing has a lot of damage potential in casual play.
eak1801
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I love that they lose life equal to its power, just add lashwrithe.
FogRaider
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Whoa whoa whoa. I just realized, they enemy loses life equal to it's power AS IT ENTERS THE GRAVE. So, if you pump this thing (mutagenic growth for example), that pump then becomes BURN when it gets removed/you fling it.
Its first ability is like Hollow Dogs, but the art more closely resembles Plague Dogs imo.
Flyheight
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@FogRaider
It works very nicely with equipment. Abilities that go to the graveyard from the battlefield, trigger from the battlefield using the last known information about the card. So if this has a Loxodon Warhammer equipped to it when it dies, the death trigger cause an additional 3 life to be lost compared to if it didn't have the warhammer equipped.
FrostyMarvin
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
A good-sized body with a built-in Fling clause. Even without a pump, Mortis Dogs + Artillerize is 13 damage, assuming you connect with combat damage. Add in a pump/equipment spell, and you get even more value out of this. All this can happen easily on Turn 4-5, and at that point 13 damage, might be game winning.
Worldwalker1
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This dog is a bone, but it'd rather take one of your opponents.
kolomeha
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
I wonder if the Mortis Dog retains any abilities attached to it as it dies? Anyone?
I would think so if it does retain the power of the equipment as it dies.
First and formost Tainted Strikeor some similar infect spell would be ideal. If so, think how awesome that would be.
I attack with Mortis dogs, play Tainted Strike, Groundswell(with Landfall and played during combat, of course)
Option A: No response - Take 9 poison
Option B: Kill spell or beefy blocker - Mortis Dogs dies, Creature dies, Take 9 poison
Granted I know that there are ways around this combo, removal and such. Still it sounds like a fun time at FNM
Easily underrated. Although its a bit of an investment, a Silverskin armor and Piston sledge can crank out 8 or 16 life.
franconbean
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Barbed Battlegear works amazingly well for this card. Its like a more functional caustic hound that doesn't hit you in the face aswell when it dies.
Gibbons
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I've tried this creature out a couple of different ways and its true that there is more to it than meets the eye. First of all, it says "Target player LOSES LIFE equal to its power." Giving this creature infect won't have any affect on its graveyard trigger ability. Infect is based on dealing damage, not "Lose life" effects. Second of all, equipment only boosts the creature's power while its in play and has the equipment attached. Target player will only lose life equal to the creature's power with added equipment if the creature carried the equipment to the graveyard. Fling and Giant growth things work well, but I've found that the best way to use this creature is to take it out of the graveyard, rinse, and repeat. No complicated combos necessary.
Ouroborobelisk
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Well then, after you take the damage, I guess I'll just Geth's Verdict myself to sac my Mortis Dog and put it into the graveyard from play ...
dark_hero
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
"And as my Mortis Dogs are about to die there is an eerieHowl From Beyond, which beckons you to follow the Mortis Dogs through Death's door."
I like this card. Good common that does something.
Wylyam
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
When this dog hears the Junkyo Bell, it starts salivating. Or at least, I do.
SarpNasty
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I have a fun standard pauper deck that uses this, Goblin Tunneler, and Fling. That's 12 damage in one turn. Note that if you add a Giant Growth (in Jund) or Vampire's Bite, That's 21 damage in one turn.
infernox10
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
In Limited, a 4/2 for 4 CMC is a little sub-par, but it gives you a strong attacker that will trade with most anything that blocks it, or go in for heavy damage.
This guy does both.
Hanksingle
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
What are the chances that all it's modifiers fall off before it's power is calculated and it just pinks for two as it dies? I think I like it anyway, but it seems...hugely powerful if one is able to pump it before death and factor that in.
Kitty_the_Kat
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I kinda wanna combo this in a Black Pod deck.. Maybe throw it in as a one-of, it can deal pretty good damage and fits in with Birthing Pod's sacrifice cost very nicely.
Not as potent as Fling, a good damage source could be nice against certain decks.
NoobOfLore
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
See also: Hollow Dogs. Funny that I randomly found that, and remembered this one. It looks like a forgotten common has gotten a spiritual successor.
Dexal
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Plague Dogs... Zombie Dog artists seem to be amazingly like-minded...
Ragamander
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@Gibbons: You're wrong about equipment bonuses not contributing to the life loss. Mortis Dogs will use the last known information from when it was on the battlefield to determine the amount of life lost. This includes equipment. I like the idea of slapping a Trepanation Blade or a Lashwrithe on this guy and just seeing what happens.
What's even cooler is when you play Undying Evil on this guy so that after he whacks your opponent three times (combat damage, fling and triggered ability) he comes back to do it all over again.
accsavious
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Give rancor, attack then if its not blocked, fling it!
HuntingDrake
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
You think Hollow Dogs got a facelift? have a look at Murk Dwellers! ...Which, oddly, are now Zombies while this is not. WotC, get on it - these dogs need a reprint with "dies" wording anyway!
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Not a bad budget card.
Ness64
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I like playing it with Wild Defiance. If the opponent attempts to remove it, it just gets bigger and costs them more life when it dies.
spartanvi
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Back this up with exalted creatures, swing, then Rite of Consumption for triple "life loss."
Hunter06
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Holds equipment like a boss. 3.5/5 Stars
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Grafted Wargear is on curve with this guy. Attack for 7 T5 with no acceleration, they either take 7, or they.. take 7.
This guy works really well with Essence Harvest and Rite of Consumption. Without anything special, you attack T5 for 4, if they take 4 then you give them 4 more, and then yet another 4.
With the grafted wargear you're on curve for a T5 kill with absolutely no other cards; plus he'll be a 5/4 defender, meaning he may stave off the attack as well (as they'd lose a critter and still take 5 to the face in most scenarios.)
Really, really good. For a deck like that you'll want other guys who love those cards, such as Abyssal Persecutor (you want things that sacrifice/destroy him and really pump out damage; he's also on curve with grafted wargear)
Consider other pump spells with him; such as Virulent Swipe. On the attack that's a potential 12 damage, 6 minimum.
Consider the following play: T1 - Any 1-drop T2 - Culling the Weak, this guy, Undying Evil T3 - Grafted Wargear, Swing.
Projjy
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
My friend had played one of these and it was a really good choice for my Progenitor Mimic. Getting one of these out every turn made me scary to attack and blocking me was pointless.
DarthParallax
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Dead puppies Dead puppies Dead puppies aren't much fun
They don't come when you call They don't chase squirrels at all Dead puppies aren't much fun
My puppy died late last fall He's still rotting in the hall Dead puppies aren't much fun, no no no Mother says puppy's days are through She's going to throw him in the stew Dead puppies aren't much fun
Dead puppies (Dead dead dead) dead puppies Dead puppies aren't much fun
(Dead dead dead) dead puppies (Dead dead dead) dead puppies (Dead dead dead) dead puppies aren't much fun
Comments (43)
In all seriousness, this thing has a lot of damage potential in casual play.
I wonder how it will interact with equipment?
Especially under Mutagenic Growth...
It works very nicely with equipment. Abilities that go to the graveyard from the battlefield, trigger from the battlefield using the last known information about the card. So if this has a Loxodon Warhammer equipped to it when it dies, the death trigger cause an additional 3 life to be lost compared to if it didn't have the warhammer equipped.
I would think so if it does retain the power of the equipment as it dies.
First and formost Tainted Strikeor some similar infect spell would be ideal. If so, think how awesome that would be.
I attack with Mortis dogs, play Tainted Strike, Groundswell(with Landfall and played during combat, of course)
Option A: No response - Take 9 poison
Option B: Kill spell or beefy blocker - Mortis Dogs dies, Creature dies, Take 9 poison
Granted I know that there are ways around this combo, removal and such. Still it sounds like a fun time at FNM
me: "yes you did just lose 7 life."
opponent: =|
Its like a more functional caustic hound that doesn't hit you in the face aswell when it dies.
I like this card. Good common that does something.
This guy does both.
Not as potent as Fling, a good damage source could be nice against certain decks.
Funny that I randomly found that, and remembered this one.
It looks like a forgotten common has gotten a spiritual successor.
This creature should work well with cards like Fatal Frenzy and Berserk. Flinging it is a fantastic idea too. Also interesting, Death Pit Offering works amazingly with Mortis Dogs.
Personally, though, I'd go with Blades of Velis Vel and Glyph of Destruction, just because it's so absurd. Maybe I'd flash in Ragged Veins for overkill if I don't have a Fling.
The same artist did both...
...Which, oddly, are now Zombies while this is not.
WotC, get on it - these dogs need a reprint with "dies" wording anyway!
3.5/5 Stars
This guy works really well with Essence Harvest and Rite of Consumption. Without anything special, you attack T5 for 4, if they take 4 then you give them 4 more, and then yet another 4.
With the grafted wargear you're on curve for a T5 kill with absolutely no other cards; plus he'll be a 5/4 defender, meaning he may stave off the attack as well (as they'd lose a critter and still take 5 to the face in most scenarios.)
Really, really good. For a deck like that you'll want other guys who love those cards, such as Abyssal Persecutor (you want things that sacrifice/destroy him and really pump out damage; he's also on curve with grafted wargear)
Consider other pump spells with him; such as Virulent Swipe. On the attack that's a potential 12 damage, 6 minimum.
Consider the following play:
T1 - Any 1-drop
T2 - Culling the Weak, this guy, Undying Evil
T3 - Grafted Wargear, Swing.
Dead puppies
Dead puppies aren't much fun
They don't come when you call
They don't chase squirrels at all
Dead puppies aren't much fun
My puppy died late last fall
He's still rotting in the hall
Dead puppies aren't much fun, no no no
Mother says puppy's days are through
She's going to throw him in the stew
Dead puppies aren't much fun
Dead puppies
(Dead dead dead) dead puppies
Dead puppies aren't much fun
(Dead dead dead) dead puppies
(Dead dead dead) dead puppies
(Dead dead dead) dead puppies aren't much fun