I guess r/w can sideboard it to dodge board wipes? i dont really know if its worth playing otherwise, the +1 power for red is cool but 1 toughness for white sucks, especially compared to honor of the pure
Azuman
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
It needs to at least be said that if you were to activate this during your first main phase, then any creatures you played during that same turn which would usually have summoning sickness would now have haste. Not really the prime use for this card, but a third use after A) using it right before a board wipe or B) just using it as a minor buff for your creatures.
Oh, and of course, don't forget if you are using any comes into play creatures you get all those effects again.
Bluehero
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
This card is excellent. Cheap, buffs your creatures, dodges board wipes, reuse ETB effects, all things Boros decks definitely want.
Nucleon
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(14 votes)
I like what this card does, but given that it's a cluster of utility effects, I don't see why this should be a mythic.
.Blaze.
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Honor of the Boros. Should be interesting seeing how good the second effect ends up being.
Leuitikos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
American Deck with pleanty of board wipes and this
ChttrBox88
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Really the only good pump we are seeing right now. Against aggro this is hopefully an Honor of the Pure, while against control it protects against sweepers. This is probably weakest against the midrange goodstuff that ironically is rampant right now so I suppose time will tell how good this actually is.
It performs the functions of so many cards that I can't even comprehend it.
pandawolf56
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
Legion's Initiative is good for standard. Red and white buffs with a flicker ability. The buffs are ok, but the flicker ability makes this card. Even with that, it is a ok buff that waits for a certain situation, and then you have to have the mana for it. Good possibilities, but not sure if it would make it into my deck. 3/5
Totema
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(5 votes)
My only gripe is that your tokens don't return.
flavioal28
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(7 votes)
Your board wipe hate is not subtle, Wizards
SyntheticDreamer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So much utility in one card. It slices, it dices, it makes julienne fries! Oh, and saves your dudes from mass removal while otherwise serving as a R/W Honor of the Pure.
Gcrudaplaneswalker
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Still "dies" to Blind Obedience, which is why I mainboard 3 :) but man, does this dodge control or what? If you're playing Boros, this is your Honor of the Pure that avoids spot removal and sweepers. Should see much play in aggressive decks.
zzxyyzx
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Art represents control players vs aggro.
Asmodi0000
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Obscenely good. I thought Honor of the Pure had taken my deck to a new level, but this is a new level of Honor of the Pure in a R/W deck.
With this and Boros Charm, there's almost no reason not to just keep throwing down creatures.
Best friends with Gideon, Champion of Justice and his ultimate.
Blackwatch_00
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Whom ever is saying this shouldn't be a mythic don't know how to play magic or the mechanix involved!...... This card is amazing. it has everything Boros dosen't have..
10/5
Tezz
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
@Arachibutyrophobia, Nucleon, others People here don't seem to understand that probably every card is made with eighter Timmy, Johnny or Spike in mind. The differences between these types of cards are the most obvious when comparing Mythics.
In Dragon's Maze, for Timmy, there's Savageborn Hydra, for example. A Johhny might want it to be more unique and say "it's just a double striker that grows, BORING". To him I say, shut up and get working on breaking Deadbridge Chant or Master of Cruelties. About Deadbridge Chant, a Spike (don_miguel) HAS said "~Bad card because it cost 6 mana, each individual goal can be reached with better other cards, dies to removal blah blah blah~". To him I say, shut up and find a home for Ral Zarek or Voice or Resurgence to reach their full potential. About Voice of Resurgence, a Timmy might say "Meh, I don't want to wait on my opponent to get my token, gimme some Wayfaring Temple", to him I say, shut up and try to get multiple Blood Baron of Vizkopa's on the battlefield.
Short version: This card is for Johnny, and this is what Johnny wants. Get over it.
demidracolich
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Two of my friends were playing 2HG at the prerelease and has this as well as Lavinia on the field. Needless to say they won that game.
bowlofgumbo
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(4 votes)
This card is certainly worthy of Boros' mythic slot in Dragon's Maze. Since each guild only got one mythic in this final set of the block, you really have to examine what role said mythic plays for its guild rather than observing it against other mythic rares, persay. In spite of the expensive, wonky, outlandish stuff typical of mythics, this guild-based cycle was clearly designed to be, well, guild-based. They wanted the Boros players to say "now THAT is an awesome Boros card!" more than they wanted the general Magic audience to say "that is in line with what we know mythics to be"
This card is such an excellent role player for Boros in its many functions (some obvious, some trickier as noted in other posts) and more importantly, it's the type of card wholly appreciated by the players who like Boros. What, you think the guy playing white-weenie-burn-aggro wants some jenky 8 drop johnny effect? He doesn't; he wants to pump the team and bash your face then save the team from your board-wipe.
I'd actually argue that Wizards hasn't lost sight of what a mythic should be, rather, that they've identified it quite perfectly. Delivery.
JRE47
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Why yes, I WOULD like to use my Spark Troopers as blockers, too.
TitansFTW
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Although this card is good, I don't like it due to its lack of playability. Ok, maybe it fits in a Boros Midrange deck somewhere, however it still won't get much use. The real power of this card is the second ability; the anthem is just the icing. Unfortunately, most good Boros decks will play on curve and won't ever have WR open. Even if you don't perfectly hit your curve, your opponent can just wait until you hit your big drop and Supreme Verdict or Naturalize when you have no extra mana.
Also, another downside is the fact that aggro decks have better 2 drops. With a Champion of the Parish on turn 1, turn 2 you can play Burning Tree Emissary and Lightning Mauler then swing for 8. With this on turn 2, all you get is a 1/2 Champion of the Parish.
In my opinion, 3/5 is fair.
tomanybagels
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Would combining this with Gideon, Champion of Justice allow all your opponents creatures to get wiped out and you would be ready to attack a completely open foe?
evenintheshower
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Wow! Great card for Boros in Standard right now. I pulled one of these from a pack at the prerelease in my Dimir/Golgari guild prerelease pack--go figure! It didn't really do much for my Dimir leanings, but it is still an excellent card in all respects.
It costs only RW. It's an enchantment. It has versatility. It flickers creatures. It buffs. Yes, it will mess with the mana curve a bit, but it pays dividends later if it doesn't encounter enchantment hate. I just don't see this as a card that will hurt its master in any way.
My son plays Boros and he's going to love playing it. Although I'm not a Boros fan, I recognize the potential power that this card has. The only things that would make it better would be a CMC of 1 and having it return to its owner's hand if removed from the battlefield.
Wow casting cost has nothing to do with what a Mythic is...this is definitely worth being a Mythic...this card is amazing. If you think that Mythics should only be a certain casting cost, believe me, nobody here wants your "advice."
Lifegainwithbite
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
That's a nice board wipe you have there.. it's a pity if someone were to dodge it.
Great combo with Burning-Tree Emissary too.
MakeshiftMage
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
"I'm going to cast Mizzium Mortars effectively killing all of your creatures." "In response all my Boros recruits have hair appointments to get to."
Good thing they made it exile itself. Otherwise you could get stupid combos with Sun Titan.
Overall, I don't really like this card. It's cool and all, but it doesn't feel mythic. The mythics in this set are all actually quite disappointing. Since they suddenly took all the champions and made them into rares, they then took a bunch of random rares and made them into mythics by just making them OP.
Hethalean
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
My problem with this card isn't just its power level (it is a decent card there). It is such a non-bo with red/white effects. Nonbo with: - Token generators (Assemble the Legion, Blaze Commando, Sunhome Guildmage, etc) - Boros bonuses from attacking (Battle Cry, Gleam of Battle, etc) This mostly matters if you're getting multiple attack phases (if from the Boros new guildleader, Aurelia, or some other source).
Also, it's anthem affect is weird and clunky in my opinion. Harder to keep track of if it were just "Red and/or White creatures you control get +1/+1.".
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The best use for this card, is using right before you miracle Terminus. Bonus points if you also had ETB creatures. It could also prevent your opponents from casting their board wipes while giving your guys a buff, if you hold open.
Its a strong card, but not really worthy of a mythic. As a rule of thumb wizards should always try to make mythics cost 5+, with some exceptions.
Edit: @cobaltblue Wow casting cost has nothing to do with what a Mythic is...this is definitely worth being a Mythic...this card is amazing. If you think that Mythics should only be a certain casting cost, believe me, nobody here wants your "advice." ~ cobaltblue
Its just a suggestion to prevent utility cards like this and Lotus Cobra from ending up in the mythic rare slot.
sweetgab
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The problem with this card is, the red pump and the white pump are separate. There aren't that many good multicolored R/W creatures out there, beyond Boros Reckoner. (Aurelia is good too, but Anthem effects usually see play in aggro, not midrange.) The +1/+0 part is obviously much better than the +0/+1, which means almost every creature in your deck should be red. The only deck I can think of where this fits in is a red-based aggro deck with Burning-Tree Emissary, with a white splash for this - but then Boros Charm seems just better in such a deck. Maybe splash for both, I don't know...
Outside of aggro decks, this will most often be a Ghostway+ for RW + RW. Maybe it will replace Restoration Angel, assuming we still have something as good as Thragtusk to blink. (Of course, when I say it's not playable, I'm talking from the perspective of competitive Standard.)
mardren
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Other good Boro's creatures that work with Legion's Initiative include Flame-Kin Zealot, Duergar Hedge-Mage, and Viashino Firstblade, but forget that, because this card is going in my EDH Kaalia deck. Watch out-- here comes: Angel of Despair, Angel of Serenity, Rune-Scarred Demon, Bogardan Hellkite, Thundemaw Hellkite, Iona, and Shield of Emeria (to switch colors if I need.) Or exile Dragon Tyrant before my upkeep so I don't have to pay 4 red. You can also use your own board wipe, exile then attack and your opponent has no blockers. Plus it is useful for attacking with the few cards my Kaalia can't throw into play like Sheoldred, Whispering One. With an extra red and white guess who no longer has summoning sickness? She does. And with Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth out guess who has swamps? That's right-- everybody!
Deadling
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is great for two reasons to me. I can Wrath of God safely. I can keep my creatures safe from my opponents same type of wipe. Plus it boost all my red and white creatures? Just an added bonus.
Belgarath123
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Just so y'all know, when you activate the ability, you lose the initiative, to does not come back.
MrMonday
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
To those of you asking why this is a mythic rare: look at who those nameless Boros dudes are attacking. That's Niv-freaking-Mizzet. A bunch of grunts are standing up to arguably the most powerful mage on Ravnica.
That takes balls of darksteel.
deworde2510
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@flavioal28: Their board wiper love is however subtle enough that you apparently missed it.
Mr.Freshness-Timmy
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Knowing Niv mizzet, he probably saw this coming. Knowing they wouldn't kill Niv mizzet, those soldiers are absolutely f*cked. Even with their +1/+1 bonus.
Great art though :)
But yeah. They so dead.
D1234
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Because the text says "return those cards to the battlefield", does it mean that this gets returned as well or only those creatures?
Technetium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is pretty good, but there is one aspect of it that is less good than it seems at first. When you exile creatures with this card, they come back at the next attack phase, not "your" next attack phase. So if your opponent casts Supreme Verdict and has not declared attack yet on his turn, your creatures come back into play on his attack phase, which makes the haste useless. Since this card is most likely going to be played in response to an opponent's board wipe, they probably didn't need to add Haste at all.
SeriouslyFacetious
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This isn't to protect your forces from enemy board-wipes, as any opponent probably won't cast one if you can activate this card...
No, this is to ensure your forces can survive the coming Apocalypse or Dimensional Breach that you personally brought about. The resulting wasteland will be yours for the taking!
Comments (48)
Oh, and of course, don't forget if you are using any comes into play creatures you get all those effects again.
Haste your guys.
Block then flicker to survive and prevent the combat damage that was blocked.
Flicker after first strike damage.
Dodge almost any removal, devastating combat tricks, and board wipes including yours. If you wipe in your first main phase, your dudes can still attack.
Counter target spell that targets a creature you control.
Trigger ETB and LTBs.
Remove unpleasant auras.
Remove the opponent's army. (commander)
It performs the functions of so many cards that I can't even comprehend it.
With this and Boros Charm, there's almost no reason not to just keep throwing down creatures.
10/5
People here don't seem to understand that probably every card is made with eighter Timmy, Johnny or Spike in mind. The differences between these types of cards are the most obvious when comparing Mythics.
In Dragon's Maze, for Timmy, there's Savageborn Hydra, for example. A Johhny might want it to be more unique and say "it's just a double striker that grows, BORING". To him I say, shut up and get working on breaking Deadbridge Chant or Master of Cruelties. About Deadbridge Chant, a Spike (don_miguel) HAS said "~Bad card because it cost 6 mana, each individual goal can be reached with better other cards, dies to removal blah blah blah~". To him I say, shut up and find a home for Ral Zarek or Voice or Resurgence to reach their full potential. About Voice of Resurgence, a Timmy might say "Meh, I don't want to wait on my opponent to get my token, gimme some Wayfaring Temple", to him I say, shut up and try to get multiple Blood Baron of Vizkopa's on the battlefield.
Short version: This card is for Johnny, and this is what Johnny wants. Get over it.
This card is such an excellent role player for Boros in its many functions (some obvious, some trickier as noted in other posts) and more importantly, it's the type of card wholly appreciated by the players who like Boros. What, you think the guy playing white-weenie-burn-aggro wants some jenky 8 drop johnny effect? He doesn't; he wants to pump the team and bash your face then save the team from your board-wipe.
I'd actually argue that Wizards hasn't lost sight of what a mythic should be, rather, that they've identified it quite perfectly. Delivery.
Also, another downside is the fact that aggro decks have better 2 drops. With a Champion of the Parish on turn 1, turn 2 you can play Burning Tree Emissary and Lightning Mauler then swing for 8. With this on turn 2, all you get is a 1/2 Champion of the Parish.
In my opinion, 3/5 is fair.
It costs only RW. It's an enchantment. It has versatility. It flickers creatures. It buffs. Yes, it will mess with the mana curve a bit, but it pays dividends later if it doesn't encounter enchantment hate. I just don't see this as a card that will hurt its master in any way.
My son plays Boros and he's going to love playing it. Although I'm not a Boros fan, I recognize the potential power that this card has. The only things that would make it better would be a CMC of 1 and having it return to its owner's hand if removed from the battlefield.
Great combo with Burning-Tree Emissary too.
Overall, I don't really like this card. It's cool and all, but it doesn't feel mythic. The mythics in this set are all actually quite disappointing. Since they suddenly took all the champions and made them into rares, they then took a bunch of random rares and made them into mythics by just making them OP.
Nonbo with:
- Token generators (Assemble the Legion, Blaze Commando, Sunhome Guildmage, etc)
- Boros bonuses from attacking (Battle Cry, Gleam of Battle, etc) This mostly matters if you're getting multiple attack phases (if from the Boros new guildleader, Aurelia, or some other source).
Also, it's anthem affect is weird and clunky in my opinion. Harder to keep track of if it were just "Red and/or White creatures you control get +1/+1.".
Its a strong card, but not really worthy of a mythic. As a rule of thumb wizards should always try to make mythics cost 5+, with some exceptions.
Edit:
@cobaltblue
Wow casting cost has nothing to do with what a Mythic is...this is definitely worth being a Mythic...this card is amazing. If you think that Mythics should only be a certain casting cost, believe me, nobody here wants your "advice." ~ cobaltblue
Its just a suggestion to prevent utility cards like this and Lotus Cobra from ending up in the mythic rare slot.
Outside of aggro decks, this will most often be a Ghostway+ for RW + RW. Maybe it will replace Restoration Angel, assuming we still have something as good as Thragtusk to blink. (Of course, when I say it's not playable, I'm talking from the perspective of competitive Standard.)
That takes balls of darksteel.
Knowing they wouldn't kill Niv mizzet, those soldiers are absolutely f*cked. Even with their +1/+1 bonus.
Great art though :)
But yeah. They so dead.
No, this is to ensure your forces can survive the coming Apocalypse or Dimensional Breach that you personally brought about. The resulting wasteland will be yours for the taking!