see morphling, thornling, torchling. that being said i wish they knocked down the casting cost by 1 and the p/t by 1. then i would totally love it. still not bad as it though, just a tad pricey
Sel3l3e
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
very good limited, i am not sure if this card survive outside limited
whitecow
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(4 votes)
bonkers. etb, next turn he hits for 8 unblockable with a spare 1 mana for first skill
ThisisSakon
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Of course this card can survive outside of limited. Formats other than limited and standard exist, you know
.Blaze.
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Like all "ling" he has 5 abilities. You just need to look a little hard to see it.
Ryjhan
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Limited all-star right here. Probably a decent finisher for a control deck as well.
Nagoragama
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Definitely a good Limited game ender, but in Constructed play, with the removal of damage from the stack, Morphling variants just aren't good anymore.
pandawolf56
★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Aetherling is a really good card for standard. Negatives are that it is a 6 mana cost with low stats. Its abilities make up for its stats but its cost is still a lot. It is like a thornling with better abilities, but thornling was better in my opinion because it was 5 mana cost. The exile ability is perfect for saving Aetherling, unblockable is amazing, and the stats buffs are cool. Still not for sure if I would run it since you would need 7 mana to play him and then still have 1 to protect him. 4/5.
Nucleon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
He has 6 abilities when you take into account that the first ability basically reads: "U: Abuse target ETB trigger, Abuse target LTB trigger, and untap Aetherling."
Cyberium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Harder to kill than Morohling, but also isn't as easy to enchant/equip due to the exile. In many cases, Morphling's ability to untap oneself is what sets him aside from the rest, easier to combo with more cards.
flavioal28
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Looks like a limited all-star, and for sure going into some of my casual decks. Having said that though, i can guarantee you that this will see next to no play in standard. I don''t see any control deck running this, sorry Wizards
Scythan666
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Alright so I am a bit confused on the rulings. In one case it says it will return to the battlefield and also says that it will not return in the second sentence. This seems to be in conflict... perhaps needs to be better explained or corrected.
"Ætherling’s first ability will return it to the battlefield only if that ability also exiled it. If Ætherling left the battlefield in response to that ability, it won’t return, even if it was exiled by another spell or ability."
whisperingsage
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Scythan666
If you used his first ability, and then he was exiled with something else, say Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, he wouldn't return to the battlefield.
It would've just been simpler if it said that he only returns if he's exiled with his own ability.
RAV0004
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Don't forget skinshifter (which is incidentally a better card than all of the 'lings anyway)
RedAtrocitus
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Blue got Morphling, then Red got Torchling, then Green got Thornling. Would White or Black be the next to get their Morphling variant?
...
Oh, I see... Blue again...
Coralus
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Stops a Thragtusk.
Dabok
★★☆☆☆ (2.4/5.0)(5 votes)
People compare this to Morphling, which is very understandable, since it has lots in common with it in terms of the design.
Myself, I see this reminds me more of Palinchron. Why? Well, first of, I'm not saying that this card is as strong as the latter, but it does remind me of it. For one there's the mana cost. This costs 6, but if you want to be able to play it "safely", you'll need 7 mana open (which is the same for Palinchron, with 7 mana you can drop that, then untap your lands so you'd be able to make use of it's bounce ability to save it). Palinchron has flying inherently, somewhat getting an edge over this. For this you've got to pay for it to be unblockable. BUT there's the fact that you can pump this however you like, which Palinchron cannot do, thus it is able to dish out more damage than Palinchron or have the capability to block something bigger than the latter.
Great design and somewhat balanced. I like it. 5/5
Purplerooster
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you activate the 3rd and 4th ability, you can use your mana without the risk of actually changing anything.
DeviousPie
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(6 votes)
This is a great card, and it is one of my favorite cards from Dragon's Maze. I like how Morphling's untap and shroud ability are mixed into his first ability (which also, conveniently, protects this ling from sweepers. Especially those uncounterable ones.) I still am hoping for the white and black Pureling and Goreling (though, I suppose with this card, they don't have to sound phonetically similar anymore); however, I can understand R&D's reasoning. The Morphling-type creature is really predominantly blue and secondarily green. Blue has deceit, manipulation, and cloning effects, whereas green has creature evolution. Torchling only came into existence because it was Planar Chaos. And Planar Chaos was awesome.
Drop it, block with it, blink it if it's about to eat lethal damage, swing for 9, blink it, it comes back untapped and ready to block...
Yeah, it's pretty good in slower formats.
rollinsclone
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(4 votes)
Most morphlings are great because of their options and this one is no exception, but the 6 mana might hurt it a bit. Quite possibly a finisher in control though.
don_miguel
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
i still think this is one of the jewels of the set. i don't think it is strictly worse than morphling because he can do some things morphling can't such as survive wrath of god and chum-block lifelink and deathtouch creatures. six mana is a lot but for a finisher in a control deck it is a fair trade.
GlintKawk42
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
solid, flexible creature in blue. awesome in limited/draft, and maybe beyond. 4/5
RunedServitor
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I want to see a Shapeshifter of this variety with the ability: ": Insert Name Here becomes a copy of target creature until end of turn except it still has its activated abilities."
It would probably have to cost a lot, though.
Gcrudaplaneswalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Tbh, of all the "Lings" out there, I like this one the best. Unlike Morphling, it survives Wraths and has better evasion. Yes, it costs 1 more mana, but it comes with extra P/T.
Arachibutyrophobia
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(6 votes)
at the prerelease I slapped a dying wish on this guy and made him a 9/0 for the win
robin0999
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I ran this at prerelease. I was running a Selesnya deck, but I added blue specifically for this guy. And let me tell you, he DESTROYED. Every time I got him out, the game was over within two turns. 8 damage every turn, and then there's the fact that you can flicker him after he deals damage to give him pseudo-vigilance. Absolutely nasty card. Make sure you have the extra for the flicker, though... That last round Grisly Spectacle hurt...
Pigfish99
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Welcome back, superman!
DarthParallax
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
He's ok. I really want them to make a Black Torchling though. :)
Clones and Morphlings are cool. We need to have more of these creatures proliferated throughout the rarities of Blue, and fewer creatures like Invisible Stalker. I feel that creature is a particularly glaring example of a card that would be Better-in-a-Design and Development-way with Shroud over Hexproof.
Imagine simply if he couldn't equip anything. Or better! If he lost his 'proof' or 'shroud' when he became equipped! He's a really decent card concept for Flavor that is restrained from being great because R&D doesn't want Shroud and Troll-Shroud to coexist. (@Hexproof-Haters: we've had the mechanic around since before the Modern Era, so it's not that Hexproof is bad- it's just being used wrongly.)
Dear R&D: Shroud, Troll-Shroud, and conditional variations of them both need to coexist. You can't just say "Hexproof or nothing". Invisible Stalker is my evidence.
SyntheticDreamer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Up to 8 unblockable damage that can dodge all removal is pretty good, even if it does cost six mana. This is also LUDICROUS with Madcap Skills.
Lockwert
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Ling family just got bigger. Oh the chinese.
Oatbran
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Dimir's recuitee.
JaxsonBateman
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Awesome in limited, and decent in casual, as people have mentioned. On its own it swings for 8, potentially unblockable, and protects itself from, well, virtually any removal without split second (as long as you have mana of course). Can potentially turn it into a giant wall to stop a trampler, or just blink it after blocking to stop any non-trampler for a very small mana cost.
Kuroth
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
The all-star of my WUG control deck.
Getting to 7 mana while keeping the board state in check isn't TOO tall of an order for blue/white in this standard environment, especially if you splash green for some slight ramping. Once I stall the game long enough to get one of these on the battlefield, it usually doesn't take long to win the game. Very strong finishers in blue, they are virtually impossible to kill if you are smart with your mana. Beating for 8 unblockable every turn and also having a 4/5 (or better) to block with next turn... very nice.
Strong lategame beatdown in blue, evades almost any kind of removal at instant speed for one mana, can become a huge wall to defend or a huge stick to hit with... I suspect this card is going to see a price spike and will likely see decent placement in events in the near future. Lots of potential here.
I was torn between a 4.5 and 5 rating, but I just don't feel I can give it any less than a 5. I was so excited when I saw this spoiled, there is SO much versatility with this card. This is probably my favorite card from Dragon's Maze, hands down.
MDG117
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Packed this guy at my pre-release, wrecked every one, I don't care if its 6 drop this guy is awesome
KribatiOmega
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
@KiribatiOmega (Myself) I've just read the detailed rules for the Simic Manipulator - and I was wrong. The ability to steal compares the number of counters vs power twice: once when it is cast, and again when it resolves. However, the Aetherling could had been stolen if I had cast the Manipulator's ability followed by a Turn to Frog.
Shiizu
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(6 votes)
An update to the Morphling, and truly its heir. They've fixed what was lost with the rule changes of M10. Again this guy will be unblockable and a great blocker. Again he's hard to kill, even harder than the original. You can even untap him too!
The only parts where he's worse at is obviously his cost and his lack of flying. Doesn't make him bad though. This is exactly what I want in my finishers. A good control deck will just drop him at 7 or 8 mana and just win with him being the only threat. The Weissmann deck would be proud!
MANABURNWASGOOD
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
morphling finally got a facelift!
raptorman333
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Who doesn't like options? The Capital One baby?!
Bomb in limited. But, honestly, I've had a blue unblockable deck since 2009 and I can't see this guy fitting in a legacy deck that runs a dedicated agro assault. For example, here's my deck's curve:
If you dump a cipher and he gets exiled, the cipher doesn't follow him. If you pump him, make him unblockable, and then he gets exiled or removed, you've basically wasted all that mana on your turn, in a deck color that revolves around other-turn response and negation.
4/5
Salient
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
My multiplayer Simic deck just found its new all-star. A self-mutating 4/5 powerhouse that can bounce itself right before each opponent's end step for ? Just call him The Evolver Revolver.
Or just use him as a high-powered finisher, and call him The Evolvers' Resolver. Versatility!
conmandude
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I pulled a foil one of these today in a Sealed tournament. It was a prime target for all those over-costed Cipher spells that are only playable in sealed/draft. I won the tournament, and I wouldn't have done nearly as well if I wouldn't have gotten him. He is an absolute house. Also a good finisher for any control deck (mine was esper).
Vaapad_123
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Best answer right now seems to be Pithing Needle. This is still a damn good card though o.O
Superllama12
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This is literally the best card for Limited in DGM, or maybe even the entirety of RTR. In a dedicated control shell, you can drop this turn 7 and literally have an unblockable, unkillable, vigilance clock. I recently won a draft leaning on this card...along with Sphinx's Revelation and Sire of Insanity...I got really lucky that night :P
TigerOps
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
I have to say that this guy is probably ultimately better than morphling, you may have to wait an extra turn to cast him, but the ability to bounce in this format is much more important in Game 1 of the control mirror because of maindeck verdicts and other sweepers. You also get a slightly larger body for an extra mana, plus the ultimate offense evasion.
Kaw223
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
One of the strongest blue creatures printed in a while... And it dies to Sundial of the Infinite XD
Jace0000002
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
BEST CARD OF THE SET. disagree? well ill tap 3 islands and dissipate your argument!
johnnyinabucket
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Oh you didn't rate 5.... Please share with us how your removing the ?therling with 1 spell then? No really please do share
Purple_Shrimp
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
it makes me slightly annoyed how Wizards is so desperate to cash in on nostalgia in places where it's completely inappropriate
Hussalo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Inquisitor's Flail makes for some nice damage coming through. I may have to try this.
Stinga
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
As part of my ongoing quest to give things flavour text:
The Izzet experiment... it was not Izzet. They didn't know about it either. Seri tried to use the control stone. The thing just looked at him and vanished. Two days later he did too... Mirko, it saw me when he did it! -Dimir agent 136, final report
ShatterPalm
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Does anyone else just love attaching things like Slagwurm Armor or similar onto this thing? Yeah, you lose it everytime it flickers, but it's worth it for turning a 4/11 blocker into a 10/1 unblockable sledgehammer that can just bump itself off the field. (assuming you have the necessary mana of course.)
sweetgab
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
Remember back when Avacyn, Angel of Hope was revealed, we thought her ability was strong but there are still a multitude of solutions to her? Aetherling's first ability is a vast upgrade to indestructibility.
solutions to a generic hexproof creature: Counterspells, sac effects and mass destroy effects like Supreme Verdict and Mizzium Mortars. A big blocker like Thragtusk can also stop it indefinitely in some cases.
I don't think there ever was a creature whose whole list of permanent solutions in Standard was a single card. If pre-emptive solutions are included, then there's also Slaughter Games and mana denial (say repeated Acidic Slime triggers). After Cavern of Souls rotates, counter wars will be fought to make sure an Aetherling does/doesn't land. The best counterspell against him will be Counterflux.
List of things you can do against a resolved Aetherling apart from Pithing Needle: 1. If they cast him with only one mana open, there's still a chance to kill him. You need to deal enough damage to (or use Verdict or whatnot on) him so he has to blink, then respond to the blink with a instant kill spell. 2. Race him. This should be obvious if you're aggro or midrange, but if you're control, you should prioritize making your own Aetherling or Jace, Memory Adept and delay theirs with your Azorius Charm or whatnot. In really late game or in specific decks, you may be able to gain so much life that the 8 damage a turn doesn't kill you, such as from Sphinx's Revelation.
In most common situations, Aetherling represents the ultimate inevitability, which means he is the best way to say "I have the long game. Win fast or you won't win."
Tamerlein
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Aetherling is the perfect control deck finisher. By the time you have total control of the board (which if you don't then shame on you) you'll have plenty of mana to play him while also having mana up to counter any of your opponents threats and have his exile ability up.
Trust me, you do not want to be on the wrong end of an Aetherling. He is almost impossible to get rid of in the standard format, and if you can't stop him you will be receiving eight unblockable damage every single turn.
4.5/5
Woolyer_Thoctar
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I think Ætherling might be my favorite card out of the set. Edit: @stuflames Yes, his last ability can be used so long as you have enogh mana.
Oh god no, expect to see this guy in a LOT of decks, he is so insanely good, you don't even know. If you don't counter him as he is being cast, they'll just keep at least one blue mana open and you cannot get rid of this. That should be enough, but he makes himself UNBLOCKABLE! And he also pumps himself... I think this will drive players away from standard, it is so much better than all comparable creatures in the format. The removal that you use against hexproof doesn't work on this guy, he dodges seepers and sac effects... It wouldn't surprise me if this guy ended up being in so many decks, that they would have to ban him to ensure deck variety. Look at it this way: Iif he only had the flicker effect, he would still be insanely good, but as it is now, he is broken, and he will make magic less fun, as you will either have to play him or lose to him. When only pithing needle and counterspells can stop something, you know it is a mistake. If you think I'm wrong, try playing against this a couple of times, and you will understand the broken power of this. When you cannot handle him with ANY removal, and you cannot block him with creatures... Unless they bring back split second, this is a mistake. PLAY AGAINST HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN TELL ME I'M WRONG!
Beyond.Malachi
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Supercool because it's awesome in the decks it fits in without being crazy overpowered. (=more variety in standard)
Zenzei
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
My only complaint about this card would be the art. I can't really tell what's going on in it and some re-spin of the old Morphling art (like they did with Torchling) would have been so classy and nostalgic.
That said, as a disciple of the color blue, I still give this ling 5/5.
WishResign
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
A brilliant and phenomenal card. If you can resolve this with one or two blue mana open, it's very likely to turn the game in your favor (if it's not in your favor already). It's also resilient to any and all forms of removal, which makes it a truly impeccable creature. I'm expecting this to skyrocket in usage; not too many people are advocating this card right now, but it's likely one of the most powerful cards in the entire standard format.
seydaneen
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
unlike most people thinks, it is not as good as Morphling. 1 mana extra casting cost is huge given how faster game is these days. plus coming back at the end of the turn is pretty mediocre, especially against fast decks. this card is a typical "more win" card which makes you win game easily if you are ahead and sits and watches if you are behind.
Zylo-
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Aetherling deserves a full 5 stars. Buy your play set or two now before the price goes up! Currently around $5, I bought 6. If you never have had the please or displeasure of playing with or against Morphling, you might not yet appreciate how powerful this card is.
Once he hits the board, if you have 1 blue mana open, he is nearly impossible to remove. I would say he is more powerful than Morphling due to his ability to dodge sweeper spells, sac spells/abilities, can utilize ETB effects from other cards, has a stronger body and doesn't just fly, but is unblockable...
This card will see high level tournament play. Watch for him as a finisher in Blue control decks.. He is a deadly when he hits the table and makes his presence known immediately.. Effectively has vigilance, can block almost anyone.. You can even block and then exile him... he pumps his power... I never thought they would reprint morphling, much less a more powerful version..
The artwork is beautiful. There is no room for flavour text because of how many abilities he has.
This is a vicious card. You have been warned.
Azrael1911
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
It's not a widely known fact, but Ætherling actually costs at least 4UUU.
Havrekjex
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Very good card, he's my arch-nemesis in the current standard meta. Gives antisocial players the perfect excuse to fill a white/blue deck with nothing but counterspells, bounce spells, board wipes, rings/spheres, card draw and two of this clown right here, and proceed to durdle on until they draw him or their opponent concedes out of pure boredom. #¤%& that.
5/5.
TowerDefender
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Thankfully Homicidal Seclusion has rotated out this doesn't need +3/+1 and lifelink.
Phelplan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Ways to deal with this guy: ~ Have creatures with protection from blue so you can at least keep up in damage dealt. ~ Counter him. ~ Slaughter Games him from the opponent's hand and deck. ~ Make opponent discard him. ~ Something like Mana Drain followed by removal when he phases back in at the end of the turn. ~ Two removals if they have only left one mana untapped. ~ And of course: plain old removal on the off-chance they were foolish enough to tap out.
DreamTheaterMTG
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Haha...it's funny to see how people are hypocrites. You go to a comments session of a good powerful aggro oriented creature and blue fans all go like "aaawww such a dumb card, mimimi, wizards don't know shit, they don't make you think anymore, mimimi". Now that they got a straight powerful creature to use as a good finisher in their decks, they all go like "Such a good card...oh, it's fantastic...It's nearly impossible to deal with it, that must be a good thing, right?...". Come on, we'll have to deal with Aetherling being a pain in the a**. If you could do the same and stop whining about Hexproof and undercosted beatsticks, that'd be great...
Hercynian
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Definite champion in Simic. Evolve twice in a turn cycle is nothing to be scoffed at. Also swinging for 8 with unblockable damage isn't something blue gets for things that arent Stormtide Leviathan or Goliath sphinx. I like it. It's fun.
Literally nothing to complain about here. Especially because it's also essentially vigilant for 1 mana (making it just about dominate the board). AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KILL. That's something that should be mentioned.
Would have been fair without those pump abilities. Or perhaps with a hit to power and toughness. Maybe at 3/3. Or keeping it how it is and taking away the un-blockability (I suppose that hits the flavor of it being a stealthy shapeshifter though).
Or making the activation 0 and making it come back into play after the next next end step so you lose a turn with him to save him.
Or making the pump abilities cost 2 mana?
My point is that there are definitely things wizards could have done to balance this.
Lifegainwithbite
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Aetherling is not a beatable card. Once it's resolved and they have enough mana to flicker it, there are only a couple of cards in the history of Magic that can stop it (only Pithing Needle in Standard). It's probably the hardest thing to kill that has ever been printed.
GlassJoetheChamp
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
"It's probably the hardest thing to kill that has ever been printed."
His summoning cost is the same as using his features fully. Costs UU4C
U: Unblockable 4C: +4/-4 U: Left for flicker
Oh and... Dr Manhattan anyone?
Pipikako
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
5/5 for me.. yes that simple.
Continue
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The newest member of the family, and about as good as the original once was; as the M10 rules shafted Morphling, one could make the argument that Ætherling is currently the best of its kin. It's the best creature for control in Standard, hands down.
kizer5
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you use the exile effect (blinking) and in response your opponent uses doom blade on it can you activate the exile effect again(2) as a response to exile aetherling then it will return at the end of your turn and the first essence of the activated effect will become null and void on the stack? I think that I would be able to use the exile effect as many times as I want in response but I remember someone telling me you can not do this back when I was using Argent Sphinx which has a similar ability
Kanra777
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
5/5 for me. Great card for control. It quickly wins games and protects itself. Most of the time this card actually costs 4UUU, because you are gonna want that one mana to protect it. It has everything you want a finisher to have. Evasion, check. Strong, check. Versatile, check. Hard to remove, check. It is hard to think of a deck that has blue that wouldn't want at least one of these.
Gallega123
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Control players feeling quite frugal. Needed something not killed by removal. So Wizards god crazy, Or maybe just lazy, But everyone showed their approval.
Theoretically, with infinite mana, could one pump him up as large as they wanted by using the -1/+1 thing enough for it to survive more than 4 +1/-1s because (as far as I know) a creature can't have a negative power?
There is no other creature that ensures the game will soon end like this. Unless you are about to lose, Aetherling will win the game for you. Nothing outside of pithing needle effects can stop it if you hold your mana... How is this only a 4.1? No creature is better against control or as control.
raginglittepycho
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Works very well with phenax because as far I know you can pump his defense up as much as you want because there are negative power creatures. Useful for control/mill players that can't the damage through
Aetherling becomes vulnerable if it's controller taps out, of the other player drops enough kill spells in a single stack, or to Pithing Needle (which still doesn't kill him, on its own), but I reckon I could build a commander deck full of cards that can take down Norin. Not so Aetherling.
Bongodwarfcleric
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Should read
Can't be blocked.
Whenever it is target by a spell or ability an opponent controls, exile it. return it to the battlefield at the beginning of the next end step.
Whenever aetherling attacks, it becomes an 8/1
Whenever aetherling blocks, it becomes a 0/8
Yodha
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Can't be blocked? Can't be removed? Can't be destroyed? Can't be even doom bladed?
Scary Leviathan-Phoenix Hybrid 3URR ~ Can't be countered Flying, Trample Whenever ~ dies, its owner returns it to the battlefield under his or her control at the beginning of his or her next upkeep. It gains haste.
4/4
"It's pretty good, but AEtherling avoids Path to Exile."
Comments (91)
"Ætherling’s first ability will return it to the battlefield only if that ability also exiled it. If Ætherling left the battlefield in response to that ability, it won’t return, even if it was exiled by another spell or ability."
If you used his first ability, and then he was exiled with something else, say Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, he wouldn't return to the battlefield.
It would've just been simpler if it said that he only returns if he's exiled with his own ability.
...
Oh, I see... Blue again...
Myself, I see this reminds me more of Palinchron.
Why? Well, first of, I'm not saying that this card is as strong as the latter, but it does remind me of it.
For one there's the mana cost. This costs 6, but if you want to be able to play it "safely", you'll need 7 mana open (which is the same for Palinchron, with 7 mana you can drop that, then untap your lands so you'd be able to make use of it's bounce ability to save it).
Palinchron has flying inherently, somewhat getting an edge over this. For this you've got to pay for it to be unblockable.
BUT there's the fact that you can pump this however you like, which Palinchron cannot do, thus it is able to dish out more damage than Palinchron or have the capability to block something bigger than the latter.
Great design and somewhat balanced. I like it. 5/5
I like how Morphling's untap and shroud ability are mixed into his first ability (which also, conveniently, protects this ling from sweepers. Especially those uncounterable ones.)
I still am hoping for the white and black Pureling and Goreling (though, I suppose with this card, they don't have to sound phonetically similar anymore); however, I can understand R&D's reasoning. The Morphling-type creature is really predominantly blue and secondarily green. Blue has deceit, manipulation, and cloning effects, whereas green has creature evolution. Torchling only came into existence because it was Planar Chaos. And Planar Chaos was awesome.
Yeah, it's pretty good in slower formats.
It would probably have to cost a lot, though.
And let me tell you, he DESTROYED. Every time I got him out, the game was over within two turns. 8 damage every turn, and then there's the fact that you can flicker him after he deals damage to give him pseudo-vigilance. Absolutely nasty card.
Make sure you have the extra
Clones and Morphlings are cool. We need to have more of these creatures proliferated throughout the rarities of Blue, and fewer creatures like Invisible Stalker. I feel that creature is a particularly glaring example of a card that would be Better-in-a-Design and Development-way with Shroud over Hexproof.
Imagine simply if he couldn't equip anything. Or better! If he lost his 'proof' or 'shroud' when he became equipped! He's a really decent card concept for Flavor that is restrained from being great because R&D doesn't want Shroud and Troll-Shroud to coexist. (@Hexproof-Haters: we've had the mechanic around since before the Modern Era, so it's not that Hexproof is bad- it's just being used wrongly.)
Dear R&D: Shroud, Troll-Shroud, and conditional variations of them both need to coexist. You can't just say "Hexproof or nothing". Invisible Stalker is my evidence.
Getting to 7 mana while keeping the board state in check isn't TOO tall of an order for blue/white in this standard environment, especially if you splash green for some slight ramping. Once I stall the game long enough to get one of these on the battlefield, it usually doesn't take long to win the game. Very strong finishers in blue, they are virtually impossible to kill if you are smart with your mana. Beating for 8 unblockable every turn and also having a 4/5 (or better) to block with next turn... very nice.
Strong lategame beatdown in blue, evades almost any kind of removal at instant speed for one mana, can become a huge wall to defend or a huge stick to hit with... I suspect this card is going to see a price spike and will likely see decent placement in events in the near future. Lots of potential here.
I was torn between a 4.5 and 5 rating, but I just don't feel I can give it any less than a 5. I was so excited when I saw this spoiled, there is SO much versatility with this card. This is probably my favorite card from Dragon's Maze, hands down.
I've just read the detailed rules for the Simic Manipulator - and I was wrong. The ability to steal compares the number of counters vs power twice: once when it is cast, and again when it resolves.
However, the Aetherling could had been stolen if I had cast the Manipulator's ability followed by a Turn to Frog.
The only parts where he's worse at is obviously his cost and his lack of flying. Doesn't make him bad though. This is exactly what I want in my finishers. A good control deck will just drop him at 7 or 8 mana and just win with him being the only threat. The Weissmann deck would be proud!
Bomb in limited. But, honestly, I've had a blue unblockable deck since 2009 and I can't see this guy fitting in a legacy deck that runs a dedicated agro assault. For example, here's my deck's curve:
Thalakos Seer
Invisible Stalker
Phantom Warrior
Deep-Sea Kraken
Sakashima the Impostor
Ghastlord of Fugue
Guile
If you dump a cipher and he gets exiled, the cipher doesn't follow him. If you pump him, make him unblockable, and then he gets exiled or removed, you've basically wasted all that mana on your turn, in a deck color that revolves around other-turn response and negation.
4/5
Or just use him as a high-powered finisher, and call him The Evolvers' Resolver. Versatility!
The Izzet experiment... it was not Izzet. They didn't know about it either. Seri tried to use the control stone. The thing just looked at him and vanished. Two days later he did too... Mirko, it saw me when he did it! -Dimir agent 136, final report
For comparison, solutions to Avacyn:
Counterspells, exile effects like Selesnya Charm and Detention Sphere, sac effects like Liliana of the Veil and Far // Away, steal effects, -X/-X effects, and pacifism effects
solutions to a generic hexproof creature:
Counterspells, sac effects and mass destroy effects like Supreme Verdict and Mizzium Mortars. A big blocker like Thragtusk can also stop it indefinitely in some cases.
solutions to Aetherling:
Counterspells, Pithing Needle. If used with Cavern of Souls, then just Pithing Needle.
I don't think there ever was a creature whose whole list of permanent solutions in Standard was a single card. If pre-emptive solutions are included, then there's also Slaughter Games and mana denial (say repeated Acidic Slime triggers). After Cavern of Souls rotates, counter wars will be fought to make sure an Aetherling does/doesn't land. The best counterspell against him will be Counterflux.
List of things you can do against a resolved Aetherling apart from Pithing Needle:
1. If they cast him with only one mana open, there's still a chance to kill him. You need to deal enough damage to (or use Verdict or whatnot on) him so he has to blink, then respond to the blink with a instant kill spell.
2. Race him. This should be obvious if you're aggro or midrange, but if you're control, you should prioritize making your own Aetherling or Jace, Memory Adept and delay theirs with your Azorius Charm or whatnot. In really late game or in specific decks, you may be able to gain so much life that the 8 damage a turn doesn't kill you, such as from Sphinx's Revelation.
In most common situations, Aetherling represents the ultimate inevitability, which means he is the best way to say "I have the long game. Win fast or you won't win."
Trust me, you do not want to be on the wrong end of an Aetherling. He is almost impossible to get rid of in the standard format, and if you can't stop him you will be receiving eight unblockable damage every single turn.
4.5/5
Edit: @stuflames Yes, his last ability can be used so long as you have enogh mana.
OH, WAIT.
I think this will drive players away from standard, it is so much better than all comparable creatures in the format. The removal that you use against hexproof doesn't work on this guy, he dodges seepers and sac effects... It wouldn't surprise me if this guy ended up being in so many decks, that they would have to ban him to ensure deck variety. Look at it this way: Iif he only had the flicker effect, he would still be insanely good, but as it is now, he is broken, and he will make magic less fun, as you will either have to play him or lose to him.
When only pithing needle and counterspells can stop something, you know it is a mistake.
If you think I'm wrong, try playing against this a couple of times, and you will understand the broken power of this.
When you cannot handle him with ANY removal, and you cannot block him with creatures...
Unless they bring back split second, this is a mistake.
PLAY AGAINST HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN TELL ME I'M WRONG!
That said, as a disciple of the color blue, I still give this ling 5/5.
Once he hits the board, if you have 1 blue mana open, he is nearly impossible to remove. I would say he is more powerful than Morphling due to his ability to dodge sweeper spells, sac spells/abilities, can utilize ETB effects from other cards, has a stronger body and doesn't just fly, but is unblockable...
This card will see high level tournament play. Watch for him as a finisher in Blue control decks.. He is a deadly when he hits the table and makes his presence known immediately.. Effectively has vigilance, can block almost anyone.. You can even block and then exile him... he pumps his power... I never thought they would reprint morphling, much less a more powerful version..
The artwork is beautiful. There is no room for flavour text because of how many abilities he has.
This is a vicious card. You have been warned.
#¤%& that.
5/5.
~ Have creatures with protection from blue so you can at least keep up in damage dealt.
~ Counter him.
~ Slaughter Games him from the opponent's hand and deck.
~ Make opponent discard him.
~ Something like Mana Drain followed by removal when he phases back in at the end of the turn.
~ Two removals if they have only left one mana untapped.
~ And of course: plain old removal on the off-chance they were foolish enough to tap out.
Literally nothing to complain about here. Especially because it's also essentially vigilant for 1 mana (making it just about dominate the board). AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KILL. That's something that should be mentioned.
Would have been fair without those pump abilities. Or perhaps with a hit to power and toughness. Maybe at 3/3. Or keeping it how it is and taking away the un-blockability (I suppose that hits the flavor of it being a stealthy shapeshifter though).
Or making the activation 0 and making it come back into play after the next next end step so you lose a turn with him to save him.
Or making the pump abilities cost 2 mana?
My point is that there are definitely things wizards could have done to balance this.
Norin the Wary would like a word with you.
His summoning cost is the same as using his features fully.
Costs UU4C
U: Unblockable
4C: +4/-4
U: Left for flicker
Oh and... Dr Manhattan anyone?
I think that I would be able to use the exile effect as many times as I want in response but I remember someone telling me you can not do this back when I was using Argent Sphinx which has a similar ability
Needed something not killed by removal.
So Wizards god crazy,
Or maybe just lazy,
But everyone showed their approval.
-Swag_Crow
And I have a word for Norin - "Abilities".
Ask Norin how he copes with Izzet Staticaster, Rod of Ruin, Ratchet Bomb, Royal Assassin, do I need to keep going?
Aetherling becomes vulnerable if it's controller taps out, of the other player drops enough kill spells in a single stack, or to Pithing Needle (which still doesn't kill him, on its own), but I reckon I could build a commander deck full of cards that can take down Norin. Not so Aetherling.
Can't be blocked.
Whenever it is target by a spell or ability an opponent controls, exile it. return it to the battlefield at the beginning of the next end step.
Whenever aetherling attacks, it becomes an 8/1
Whenever aetherling blocks, it becomes a 0/8
Bullsh!t.
Barbs!
Fire!
Light!
Flying Moose!
By your powers combined I am SUPERMAN!
Stranger: Aetherling's not that good.
Me: My commander is Ephara.
Stranger: Well then, stop cheating.
Gideon's Lawkeeper for starters.
Scary Leviathan-Phoenix Hybrid 3URR
~ Can't be countered
Flying, Trample
Whenever ~ dies, its owner returns it to the battlefield under his or her control at the beginning of his or her next upkeep. It gains haste.
4/4
"It's pretty good, but AEtherling avoids Path to Exile."