Somebody reversed the polarity on this kavu predator.
lorendorky
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
This is a great example of how far Magic has come over the years with matching mana costs and abilities to cards.
Eternal_Blue
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(3 votes)
I have to disagree with my fellow planeswalkian, DarthParallax, as while this may have been printed as a rare in earlier times, I think comparing it to Savanna Lions and Isamaru isn't a very apt comparison since Ajani's Pridemate here shines in a deck that can most accommodate and utilize its unique ability. A Savannah Lion, on the other hand, is a 2/1 for W that excels mainly in White Weenie decks whose main objective is to kill and kill fast.
Still, pensively I yearn for a day when an ability such as this--and the card itself, though that may be too deep of a dream--will be printed as common so I can build a Pauper deck around it. Soul Sisters just isn't the same without this lifegaining-Tarmogoyf-esque creature.
DarthParallax
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
it's a great example of power creep too-- and in this instance, power creep might not be a bad thing!
but I find it interesting that, comparing to sets that actually had fairly modern Development tech, there was a long time when this would be considered a Fair Rare. Savannah Lions and Isamaru, Hound of Konda are on even level with this card.
this would not have been an uncommon in Alpha, and Alpha was actually a surprisingly good set. Mirage? Tempest? Mercadian Masques? I don't think this would have been a fair uncommon til....about Mirrodin, probably. Of course it's a fair uncommon today. Just nerding out about how much things change. :)
3 Stars. It's well designed, I like it, it can synergize, but I want to reserve 4 and 5 star ratings for cards that are 'all that plus really really intriguing or powerful'. this is normal enough to be a Core Set Uncommon, if it's exactly 3 stars, it's doing it's job. :)
Eternal_Blue, I appreciate your evaluation, but I was attempting to write a comment more about History than about current competitive or casual evaluations. :) This absolutely would have been a rare up until the Modern Age of Magic, and that's the only point I was trying to make :)
I checked older printings, and Jenara, Asura of War popped up in the comments. :P On the one hand, one could argue that Jenara is somehow just not Mythic by today's standard. On the other hand, compare Jenara to cards that came before her, and to decks and mechanics available to put her in? ABSOLUTELY this card is Power Creep, however as I said, not every instance of Power Creep is some kind of awful thing that should be witch-hunted. Still, an Uncommon creature being compared to a Mythic Rare Creature might turn a few stomachs.
Comments (4)
Still, pensively I yearn for a day when an ability such as this--and the card itself, though that may be too deep of a dream--will be printed as common so I can build a Pauper deck around it. Soul Sisters just isn't the same without this lifegaining-Tarmogoyf-esque creature.
and in this instance, power creep might not be a bad thing!
but I find it interesting that, comparing to sets that actually had fairly modern Development tech, there was a long time when this would be considered a Fair Rare. Savannah Lions and Isamaru, Hound of Konda are on even level with this card.
this would not have been an uncommon in Alpha, and Alpha was actually a surprisingly good set.
Mirage? Tempest? Mercadian Masques? I don't think this would have been a fair uncommon til....about Mirrodin, probably. Of course it's a fair uncommon today. Just nerding out about how much things change. :)
3 Stars. It's well designed, I like it, it can synergize, but I want to reserve 4 and 5 star ratings for cards that are 'all that plus really really intriguing or powerful'. this is normal enough to be a Core Set Uncommon, if it's exactly 3 stars, it's doing it's job. :)
Eternal_Blue, I appreciate your evaluation, but I was attempting to write a comment more about History than about current competitive or casual evaluations. :) This absolutely would have been a rare up until the Modern Age of Magic, and that's the only point I was trying to make :)
I checked older printings, and Jenara, Asura of War popped up in the comments. :P On the one hand, one could argue that Jenara is somehow just not Mythic by today's standard. On the other hand, compare Jenara to cards that came before her, and to decks and mechanics available to put her in? ABSOLUTELY this card is Power Creep, however as I said, not every instance of Power Creep is some kind of awful thing that should be witch-hunted. Still, an Uncommon creature being compared to a Mythic Rare Creature might turn a few stomachs.