This is like a blue-black version of Coiling Oracle, but with evasion. Had this owl been printed in a real set, I'm certain it would have been a 4-of in tournament decks for the tempo it provides and the ability to equip the Mirrodin swords.
I really want to like this card. On one hand, it's a frickin' robot owl of doom that replaces itself and gives you a deathtoucher. On the other hand, it's unabashedly overpowered (in the words of Aaron Forsythe: "it is fun because it is overpowered (too good for Standard)") and would not have been printed outside of a casual supplement like Planechase. And finally, I'm disappointed in the competition this gives to Coiling Oracle. Whatever happened to having the best creatures? Looks like is stealing its thunder now. Everyone's favorite Snake Elf Druid had better get an upgrade in the new Ravnica block. ... sigh. This card is better than it has a right to. And this may or may not be a bad thing.
RAV0004
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(3 votes)
I love me some two colored god-tier two drops.
For those who can't see it (although I know most of the other people here can)
-It draws you a card for cheap (and therefore replaces itself) -It has evasion to so you can hit your opponent over and over -it has deathtouch so it kills your opponent's biggest creature
That's an awful lot for 2 mana.
Yozuk
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(8 votes)
This thing is insane! Out of all the cards, this one is has to be one of the best. Do you block it and lose your guy? or do you take it and risk a ninja smacking you in the face and give them an extra card? Talk about a punisher card. Plus it works wonders as a defender.
Confluster
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The art alone makes this card worth having. The fact that it is one of the most efficient cards in the game is just icing on the cake.
SocialExperiment
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
I'd put it on par with Coiling Oracle, since both essentially draw you a card. In exchange for deathtouch, this guy gives up the chance of putting you a land drop ahead (assuming you already dropped a land this turn, anyway).
Totema
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
My jaw literally hit the floor when I saw this. The only drawback to playing this against playing Tidehollow Strix is the lesser power, and most of the time I won't even care about that.
MechaKraken
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(5 votes)
This is one of those creatures that are simply amazing for the cost, much like Vampire Nighthawk or Leatherback Baloth .
There are SO many different ways to abuse this creature, to keep bringing it back from the graveyard and keep on getting a free card draw. I'll list one here - Hanna, Ships Navigator.
Scars of Mirrodin and Mirrodin blocks alone have more then enough ways to keep bringing it back to your hand or the battlefield. This is definitely a 4-of auto-include in all UB decks.
Larty
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It says on the sets & legality tab that this card is not legal in any format. Does this mean you can't play cards unique to planechase 2012 in any tournament? If that's the case, I'm glad this thing isn't going to ruin tournaments out there for being ridiculously powerful. Might still ruin some casual games...
MANABURNWASGOOD
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
OP, needs a nerf.
GlassJoetheChamp
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Well, I know which pre-con I'm buying now. B)
Good thing this is only good for Legacy/casual play, anywhere else and it'd be way too good.
wstonefi
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(7 votes)
The power level of this card disturbs me. I know it's not Standard-legal, but still... once they start using "not Standard legal" as an excuse to print blatantly OP cards, it becomes a slippery slope, no?
swords_to_exile
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Card advantage in bird form.
Daeodolon
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
This creature, Just by itself: . Generates a card draw whenever it enters the battlefield. . Has flying, which can be turned into a considerable life loss for your opponent. . Can kill the mightiest creatures your opponent has with a single block. . Is a black artifact creature, saving itself from a bunch of removal spells.
How can you not love this little owl? Rating 5 out of 5 for me!
Cyberium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A creature that replaces itself is good, then gives it flying and death touch, as well as being a black creature makes it quite evil. Being both black and artifact allow it to join an easy loop of repeat reanimation.
LordOfTheFlies87
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
POWERFUL. And great art.
TheGodOfWar91
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Man, PC2 has some great cards despite them all having no borders.
AlphaWolfs
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(1 vote)
For anyone to complain how 'blatantly OP this card is' lets look at a few facts about it first.
1) It can only be put into a deck, or a deck. It would defiantly make decks stronger with the card, but it isn't exactly something that would make this blatantly Overpowered. In my opinion, color balance has just as much effect on the 'balance' of a card then core sets or not.
2) Second, drawing a card is nice, as it replaces a card in the hand. But as much as it is drawing a card, that said card could mean that you just have an extra land when you don't need it, or a huge creature that you can't play. Top-decking draw cards with a card like this is a lot harder unless you use production methods, and because it doesn't have flash it also increases your chance of a dead miracle in hand.
3) Flying is decent, and deathtouch is also good, but being that it is only a 1/1 for it would mean that it could kill one thing unless made indestructible.
4) If this WAS printed in a core set, Mirradin would be out of standard, meaning you CAN'T use swords with it.
imsully2
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(5 votes)
@AlphaWolfs: So what you're saying is that unless a card is literally the best card in print and can single-handedly win games without any back up it's not overpowered? You're wrong, this card is an amazing card for the mana cost, and really you don't use {U}{B} cards in a red burn deck?? I don't mean to be overly harsh but people need to realize that this card IS amazingly overpowered and as far as the swords, the idea of it being standard is Hypothetical and so in theory it could've been printed in Core 2012 or 2011 and then it would've been standard with swords
This card can take out your opponent's best creature and probably cost less than your opponent's creature did, It's very difficult to remove as it is black, it is more susceptible to red however since it's an artifact, but it's immune to almost all black removal.
A very fun card but shouldn't have been printed and it's just a good thing its legal in the formats that have access to much better cards 5/5 for sure
ChrisBosh_IronGolem
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(4 votes)
This card is playable in Vintage. Ask Mr. Stephen Menendian.
Lueseto
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
I suddenly have a new favourite card. And EPIC ART IS EPIC.
This card just feels complete.
PS: Wizards, re-edit this so it can be played it in modern. It will be so much fun. It would probably be a little overpowered, but yet, I love it so much xD
MisterAction
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Finally! A ninja-enabler that I want to cast every turn! And it's actually a good blocker!
General_Naga
★★★★☆ (5.0/5.0)(10 votes)
They may as well have just named it Card Advantage. Maybe that should be its creature type.
CorkBulb
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
Yes, this is an excellent card. It will essentially replace Tidehollow Strix in all situations. The card draw is a significant advantage over the 1 extra power because of the deathtouch. Early on, he is an effective blocker unless the attacker has first strike. Even with a trampler the opponent will only get 1 attack and then die. Any equipment/auras that buff him will make him even deadlier, since he has flying.
Fits great in an Esper deck since he is an artifact, and fits into a Grixis deck because he is just so evil!
Tivoko
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Recently put four of these into my deck and this little guy works wonders; so much value just like others have said.
tantallum99
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(5 votes)
everything about this card is beautiful. the card draw, the deathtouch, the flying, the art, the artifactness....
No, this card is not overpowered. Overpowered would warrant it more than 5 stars in terms of power. It's actually right on the money.
What you're seeing here is a good card; they are far and few between, as many cards are either overcosted or bad, so I can understand the surprise. However, it does probably deserve to be a rare.
aliz_com
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It is super efficent considering its a 2 drop little bird that gets you a free card draw, It will kill an opponents big creature the efficeny for a two drop to kill something big is amazing . Also in any reanimator creature deck will gain card advantage any day of the week. Your opponents will always hesitate to attack with this little bird on the board. I'm glad i have my copies of Baleful Strix. A must have card for any Vintage/Legacy player.
SirMalkin
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Well, this is certainly replacing the Thalakos Seers in my ninja deck.
DarthParallax
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.8/5.0)(3 votes)
While there are better Tinker targets- this is a good Tinker target.
Piconoe
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card goes great in my Artifact EDH deck with Sharuum the Hegemon and Mirrorworks. Mirrorworks makes a draw engine on its own, but combined with Sharuum, I can hold fatty decks at bay since they don't want to risk their biggest hitters.
I can't believe I've been maining UB decks for so long without using this little fella'. I think I have a new personal staple.
RecurringMemories
★☆☆☆☆ (1.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Very powerful, but NOT over powered.
TheAj
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Could somebody quickly inform me as to something this can't do?
Ogonomany
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Currently, this is the highest rated 1/1 creature and 2-drop creature, and I have to say I'm inclined to agree. It either warrants removal or else it's gonna take one of your creatures with it, probably something that costs a lot more than 2 mana too. Plus, it cantrips, so your getting great value out of it even if you don't get it back from the graveyard (which we all know you will). Not to mention the art and flavor on this card is awesome. 5/5 easily.
pedrodyl
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
When you play this card, it's essentially +1 for the boys back home, if you know what I mean.
Knochi
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This little guy would perfectly fit in an Esper-Control deck with cards like Restoration Angel, snapcaster mage and maybe Venser. Although i never played vintage or legacy, i guess a 4 drop like restoration angel is not rly playable in such fast formats :(
j_mindfingerpainter
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@General_Naga: Or you could both name it Card Advantage and call its creature type that, like a token. Of course, if something made tokens of these, the text would have to be changed to "You gain CARDNAME"
Ultimario
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Seems like something out of Urza Block - it perfectly and efficiently fulfills its intended role to a horrifying extent (a 0-for-1 trade when it blocks which scares off multiple giant creatures from all of your opponents, and a cantripping nigh-unblockable (good luck getting an advantage out of blocking this with anything other than a token or first-strike flier) attacker for ninjitsu, that also lets you draw more cards over the course of the game because of ninjitsu's bouncing). Unlike most cards in Urza Block, it's only slightly overpowered/undercosted in a way that's still fun to use rather than comboing out instantly in an unfair way. It really makes you wonder what they would've priced this monster if they had to worry about Standard - 2UB maybe?
$80 a playset, so damn pricey but it would totally be worth it.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Unbelievable art, super efficient creature. Would love a reprint so the price drops, but it might be way to strong and force standard into . Its that good.
blurrymadness
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Almost always a 2-for-1; and yet another great reason for me to run Plague Spitter. 4.5/5
Also, any evasive guy who can recur or cause card advantage is a great equipment holder.
LordRandomness
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This is practically the definition of efficiency. {U} for a 1/1 flying is standard, {B} to add deathtouch is reasonable, so the cantrip is essentially free.
DOOMDEMON
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Deathtouch is a bit overwhelming... pretty much a tank with wings... just watch out for cards like Smite The Monstrous!
Putting it into perspective, here are a couple situations that provide further evidence stating this card is utility all the way.
Best case scenario: If it comes out and instantly gets bolted, you virtually just played a less pressure inducing Hymn to Tourach, specifically in terms of CMC and card advantage- and forced an answer to be discarded.
Worst case scenario: they allow the card to stay, and you have a 1/1 that can block to put you up in card advantage +1, unless they don't attack whatsoever, which in Legacy is possible.
"This thing is insane! Out of all the cards, this one is has to be one of the best. Do you block it and lose your guy? or do you take it and risk a ninja smacking you in the face and give them an extra card? Talk about a punisher card. Plus it works wonders as a defender."
Outside of Ninja decks, I think the correct answer would be to take 1.
Continue
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Good enough to see a reprint — this is in the Grixis Commander 2013 precon.
Petertracy
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Hihihihihihihiiii this beautiful thing just got reprinted, yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhh Fantastic card, bought one to use with Glissa, the Traitor in Mimeoplasm EDH, never looked back
Hungerstriker
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
What the....
normally I would never compare a card to the likes of Storm Crow, but this thing has some serious power behind it. I mean, obviously, the Crow has an all-important additional point of toughness, but this thing has deathtouch and lets you draw a free card-- that's almost as good! 5/5, definitely!
EDIT: Wait. I just realized, Storm Crow is monoblue, but this thing is both Blue and Black. You're going to have to ruin your entire manabase just to play the Strix, so it's not nearly as good as I thought. 2/5.
I suggest Storm Crow instead.
WomboCombo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I have random carded into this twice in the past hour. Is that a sign that I need to buy a playset? My mind says yes but my wallet screams no.
Really though, this card is dynamite. I always enjoyed Tidehallow Strix, and this guy is, imho, strictly better. Here's hoping he gets printed in future sets!
Comments (61)
Had this owl been printed in a real set, I'm certain it would have been a 4-of in tournament decks for the tempo it provides and the ability to equip the Mirrodin swords.
... sigh. This card is better than it has a right to. And this may or may not be a bad thing.
For those who can't see it (although I know most of the other people here can)
-It draws you a card for cheap (and therefore replaces itself)
-It has evasion to so you can hit your opponent over and over
-it has deathtouch so it kills your opponent's biggest creature
That's an awful lot for 2 mana.
There are SO many different ways to abuse this creature, to keep bringing it back from the graveyard and keep on getting a free card draw. I'll list one here - Hanna, Ships Navigator.
Scars of Mirrodin and Mirrodin blocks alone have more then enough ways to keep bringing it back to your hand or the battlefield. This is definitely a 4-of auto-include in all UB decks.
Good thing this is only good for Legacy/casual play, anywhere else and it'd be way too good.
. Generates a card draw whenever it enters the battlefield.
. Has flying, which can be turned into a considerable life loss for your opponent.
. Can kill the mightiest creatures your opponent has with a single block.
. Is a black artifact creature, saving itself from a bunch of removal spells.
Using ninjas, you could draw even more cards (Ninja of the Deep Hours), slow your opponent's table a little (Mistblade Shinobi), tutor your own creatures (Higure, the Still Wind), etc.
How can you not love this little owl?
Rating 5 out of 5 for me!
1) It can only be put into a
2) Second, drawing a card is nice, as it replaces a card in the hand. But as much as it is drawing a card, that said card could mean that you just have an extra land when you don't need it, or a huge creature that you can't play. Top-decking draw cards with a card like this is a lot harder unless you use production methods, and because it doesn't have flash it also increases your chance of a dead miracle in hand.
3) Flying is decent, and deathtouch is also good, but being that it is only a 1/1 for
4) If this WAS printed in a core set, Mirradin would be out of standard, meaning you CAN'T use swords with it.
This card can take out your opponent's best creature and probably cost less than your opponent's creature did, It's very difficult to remove as it is black, it is more susceptible to red however since it's an artifact, but it's immune to almost all black removal.
A very fun card but shouldn't have been printed and it's just a good thing its legal in the formats that have access to much better cards 5/5 for sure
This card just feels complete.
PS: Wizards, re-edit this so it can be played it in modern. It will be so much fun. It would probably be a little overpowered, but yet, I love it so much xD
Fits great in an Esper deck since he is an artifact, and fits into a Grixis deck because he is just so evil!
What you're seeing here is a good card; they are far and few between, as many cards are either overcosted or bad, so I can understand the surprise. However, it does probably deserve to be a rare.
I can't believe I've been maining UB decks for so long without using this little fella'. I think I have a new personal staple.
Although i never played vintage or legacy, i guess a 4 drop like restoration angel is not rly playable in such fast formats :(
More like Baleful Cash.
4.5/5
Also, any evasive guy who can recur or cause card advantage is a great equipment holder.
Best case scenario: If it comes out and instantly gets bolted, you virtually just played a less pressure inducing Hymn to Tourach, specifically in terms of CMC and card advantage- and forced an answer to be discarded.
Worst case scenario: they allow the card to stay, and you have a 1/1 that can block to put you up in card advantage +1, unless they don't attack whatsoever, which in Legacy is possible.
Outside of Ninja decks, I think the correct answer would be to take 1.
Fantastic card, bought one to use with Glissa, the Traitor in Mimeoplasm EDH, never looked back
normally I would never compare a card to the likes of Storm Crow, but this thing has some serious power behind it. I mean, obviously, the Crow has an all-important additional point of toughness, but this thing has deathtouch and lets you draw a free card-- that's almost as good! 5/5, definitely!
EDIT: Wait. I just realized, Storm Crow is monoblue, but this thing is both Blue and Black. You're going to have to ruin your entire manabase just to play the Strix, so it's not nearly as good as I thought. 2/5.
I suggest Storm Crow instead.
Really though, this card is dynamite. I always enjoyed Tidehallow Strix, and this guy is, imho, strictly better. Here's hoping he gets printed in future sets!
and it slides right into Damia EDH - with Glissa, the Traitor and Deadeye Navigator.
also Prophet of Kruphix for some extra splashy ETB whenever you want it