They didn't want anyone at the planechase release to be able to kill one of the Aura deck's creatures in response to being enchanted. That's the only explanation for this crappy reprint, really.
Larty
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I believe antoher reason for this seemingly crappy reprint is wizards' recent development into making into making creatures and other spells equally good. I think they are right because it feels pretty lame when all your giant creatures are removed by tiny instant spells.
DeckMechanic
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(4 votes)
@Ferlord Murder won't be 'strictly' better. It has double black in the cost.
A3Kitsune
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(1 vote)
@RAV0004, Larty
The deck this is in has a couple of creatures with "destroy target nonblack creature" (Dark Hatchling and Throat Slitter). This can kill black creatures. It's support for your killers.
Atali
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
The reasoning behind putting this into the precon is that it's easy to see that it needs to be replaced, and there are many upgrades to choose from. Wizards doesn't want to print optimized precons, because they want players to have the fun of tinkering with their new decks, and buy more cards in the process. Go for the Throat would be my ideal replacement, though compelling arguments can be made for many cards. Peel from Reality would provide some nice utility, and can help remove obstacles for to your Ninjas.
Ferlord
★☆☆☆☆ (1.7/5.0)(5 votes)
After inspecting the spoilers for Magic 2013, there will be Murder: 3-CMC destroy creature.
Epicly boring, but... 'sigh'... Strictly Better than this.
Oh god, am I going to get hate??? Oh, please don't...
@ DeckMechanic: You're right. I didn't know that.
GrayWizard
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(1 vote)
The name of the guy who made the quote... They really didn't read that phonetically.
atemu1234
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
You know, I can imagine this costing {B}, and still being barely par.
MisterAction
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This isn't horrible, there's just really no reason to ever use it.
Comments (10)
Murder won't be 'strictly' better. It has double black in the cost.
The deck this is in has a couple of creatures with "destroy target nonblack creature" (Dark Hatchling and Throat Slitter). This can kill black creatures. It's support for your killers.
Go for the Throat would be my ideal replacement, though compelling arguments can be made for many cards. Peel from Reality would provide some nice utility, and can help remove obstacles for to your Ninjas.
Epicly boring, but...
'sigh'...
Strictly Better than this.
Oh god, am I going to get hate??? Oh, please don't...
@ DeckMechanic: You're right. I didn't know that.
Monoblack has Murder, Death Stroke and Hero's Downfall.
Black-red has Terminate and Dreadbore.
Black-green has Putrefy and Maelstrom Pulse.
Black-white has Unmake, Mortify and Vindicate.
Blue-black doesnt have anything completely better, but in most cases I'd rather have Recoil, countermagic, Agony Warp or just block with a Baleful Strix.