Like someone else said, it's good for a common. Sadly, Heroic feels like too clunky of a mechanic to see lots of constructed play. The best heroic creatures, from what I can see, provide a worthwhile bonus even without activating their ability regularly. Sadly, unless you have a combat trick or an aura, the Crusader just provides a 1/1 body and nothing else to show for it.
NARFNra
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
This is exciting. He makes a better version of himself (ignoring the human subtype) when you target him. The potential damage is neat.
Taudisban
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I once had an opponent stabilize at 1 life against me in M14 limited with a Young Pyromancer. Considering your average heroic trigger will this fellow larger, I'd pick him pretty high.
Eternal_Blue
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I don't rate cards a perfect five stars very often. In fact, I'm not sure I remember ever rating a card five stars. But for one tiny red mana, you get a 1/1 with the potential to make 1/1's with HASTE and all you need to do is target him with spells. Sure, he's more of a build-around-me card, but he single-handily may create a new Pauper archetype. The rating could come down later, but for now I'm still just in shock that this is a common. Comparisions to Young Pyromancer are apt indeed, and while this isn't nearly as good, it's still worth more than a second glance.
DarthParallax
★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Well you better eat your fill lads.
For Tonight! We Dine IN HELL!!!!!!!!
Fenix.
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Turn 2 enchant it with a Madcap Skills, for a 5 damage attack? (4 of which are with evasion)
Seems strong to me.
Purplerooster
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Hey diddle diddle! Akronoan Crusader up the middle!
majinara
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Well... I doubt he will be played outside limited (except in some casual decks). In limited it obviously depends on how much stuff you have to target him with. If you can't target him at least once, he is obviously horrible. If you target him once he is meh. If you target him twice or more he becomes good.
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Makes the idea of a pump deck with this guy, Pyro and Kiln fiend (for god draws) interesting. This guy and pyro take up the challenge of making pump spells worthy of play (maybe) via leaving you with more guys to pump.
The main issue with pump decks is that the card disadvantage-for-damage may leave you with no attackers or cards. These guys help by making a bunch of bodies.
This card is devastating in red aggro. Although Rakdos Cackler is a stronger 1-drop, the crusader can help generate card advantage. Once in a draft, I had my opponent down at 2 life, and we had 4 creatures each. I topdecked a Titan's Strength, boosted my crusader and swung with all 5 creatures, then played a Spark Jolt for the win. Even outside of limited, this card has good potential.
TheChosenRat
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I slung together a kind of "Rakdos Token" deck I guess you could call it with these guys, Pyros & Xathrid Necros. Was better than I expected to be honest, even with Dragon Mantle and other cheap as chips Heroic triggers thrown in, this fellow always got me off to a good start.
Burgertog
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I love how this card has the same illustrator as the red soldier token from the set.
fighttillidie
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
What about a turn two combo that swings for massive damage? For example, turn one Akroan Crusader, turn two use Titans Strength to boost his attack and get a token, then use Coordinated Assault to get another token, and swing for 8.
Cloudchaser.Kestrel
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Heh, our phalanxs and hoplites are mostly loners, and we have a crusader who fights shield to shield. I enjoy the Akroan flavor of having all those soldiers out there though.
I've been playing with a rubblebelt raiders + this guy deck. Bloodrush, sadly wastes the haste on the tokens, but it does make for a a lot of convenient targeting. And then you get those beautiful moments when Rubblebelt is attacking with six or seven soldiers behind. We needed more mono red soldiers.
Comments (32)
Let's see if he's right.
For Tonight!
We Dine IN HELL!!!!!!!!
Seems strong to me.
The main issue with pump decks is that the card disadvantage-for-damage may leave you with no attackers or cards. These guys help by making a bunch of bodies.
Courtousy link: Reckless charge
oh damn I played that totally wrong all day long
(was still pretty awesome, but I should have been swingin!)
I've been playing with a rubblebelt raiders + this guy deck. Bloodrush, sadly wastes the haste on the tokens, but it does make for a a lot of convenient targeting. And then you get those beautiful moments when Rubblebelt is attacking with six or seven soldiers behind. We needed more mono red soldiers.
I'm the best Akroan soldier.