A giant creature and treat that comes with a steady flow of card advantage. I think "bomb" is the appropriate term. The Griselbrand that couldn't be in commander
majinara
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(6 votes)
And finally the "Force" cycle is complete. While all of them are fun in multiplayer, it gives you a large body and a lot of cards, while still being balanced.
Mode
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(8 votes)
Demons seem to do a better job than him. I much prefer Bloodgift Demon over this guy, and Griselbrand is the better choice for reanimator decks (and what I'd prefer hardcasting as well). But a Phyrexian Arena on (big) legs seems alright nonetheless.
Could have easily passed for or as well though, or making the trigger go off at the beginning of the end step so you'll get your extra card earlier, since there's no may-clause (presumable because it is a baleful force after all).
The way it's made up of partially floating stone crystals in the artwork makes me think of Zendikar.
RJDroid
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(5 votes)
Drawing a card every turn is good. A worthy addition to the Elemental Force cycle.
Now all Wizards needs to do is release a 5-color Horde of Notions deck with all five Forces it it.
Kryptnyt
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(4 votes)
I wouldn't compare this to bloodgift or arena, since you're drawing far more cards, even in two player. Consider this a poor black man's Consecrated Sphinx. No, it's not going to go under the radar.
lorendorky
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(3 votes)
You could slam this guy out FAST with Nythos, Shrine to Nyx and he will make Gray Merchant of Asphodel even stronger.
SyntheticDreamer
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
Helloooo reanimator. The Force mega cycle is complete, and this one is a nice source of card advantage that can be cheated out pretty early, even outside reanimator decks.
Also note the it triggers on EACH upkeep. Unless someone kills it before your turn ends, you will get 1 card from it. Then it gets you another card for each turn it survives. This is much more powerful than a phyrexian arena (not saying it's better, but it's definitely stronger).
sarroth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Until this was spoiled I admit I forgot about the printing of the white and red ones that made this an actual cycle. This one makes me glad to see the cycle completed, as it's easily my favorite. I wonder if the life loss will ever become a problem, given that your opponents would be crazy to let this stick that long anyway.
qk1
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Hay look at this card!
Get it? Baleful? Hay?
GrimjawxRULES
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Mode: I think you're forgetting that you get to draw a card each upkeep - not just your own, making this vastly better than Bloodgift Demon and Phyrexian Arena in terms of draw power. In my playgroup, if I cast this and it lives until my next turn, I'll have drawn five cards and gotten a 7/7 creature for 8 mana. If anything, that seems very cheap to me.
Definitely a strong card - just be careful that the life-loss doesn't get out of hand. This thing can easily kill you if you're not careful.
TexasDice
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Replaced my Pyrexian Arena in Jarad Reanimator EDH, like Erebos replaced Underworld Connections.
That has a few drawbacks, but both of them have the benefit of being good reanimator targets and counting towards the creature count for Jarad.
Not a fan. While sure, you may want an additional Bloodgift Demon, you're almost surely going to be going with the demon first each time. And Phyrexian Arena. And Underworld Connections. Ultimately, paying 5 mana for the 7/7 body (or in the case of Bloodgift demon, paying 3 mana and losing flying for 3/2) is just not worth it in most cases.
Aquillion
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Honestly, I think this is overrated.
Yes, you draw cards twice as fast as Phyrexian Arena or Bloodgift Demon; but he comes out so late that you'll probably end up with fewer cards overall. Compare this to the red force, say, which does something you absolutely couldn't get for a significantly cheaper cost.
As a general rule, card drawing (especially at the cost of life) is most useful in a deck filled with small cheap cards, since you want to be able to play all the extra cards you draw at once. An eight-mana monstrosity isn't a good fit for a card-drawing deck.
Can you reanimate him? Sure, but reanimation is much better used for cards that have evasion or some form of protection or, ideally, both.
Comments (14)
I much prefer Bloodgift Demon over this guy, and Griselbrand is the better choice for reanimator decks (and what I'd prefer hardcasting as well). But a Phyrexian Arena on (big) legs seems alright nonetheless.
Could have easily passed for
or making the trigger go off at the beginning of the end step so you'll get your extra card earlier,
since there's no may-clause (presumable because it is a baleful force after all).
The way it's made up of partially floating stone crystals in the artwork makes me think of Zendikar.
Now all Wizards needs to do is release a 5-color Horde of Notions deck with all five Forces it it.
The mana cost is as it is because it needs to match the rest of the cycle:
Tidal Force
Verdant Force
Magmatic Force
Celestial Force
Also note the it triggers on EACH upkeep. Unless someone kills it before your turn ends, you will get 1 card from it. Then it gets you another card for each turn it survives. This is much more powerful than a phyrexian arena (not saying it's better, but it's definitely stronger).
Get it? Baleful? Hay?
Definitely a strong card - just be careful that the life-loss doesn't get out of hand. This thing can easily kill you if you're not careful.
That has a few drawbacks, but both of them have the benefit of being good reanimator targets and counting towards the creature count for Jarad.
Now I just need Deadbridge Chant and Greater Good on a body.
Yes, you draw cards twice as fast as Phyrexian Arena or Bloodgift Demon; but he comes out so late that you'll probably end up with fewer cards overall. Compare this to the red force, say, which does something you absolutely couldn't get for a significantly cheaper cost.
As a general rule, card drawing (especially at the cost of life) is most useful in a deck filled with small cheap cards, since you want to be able to play all the extra cards you draw at once. An eight-mana monstrosity isn't a good fit for a card-drawing deck.
Can you reanimate him? Sure, but reanimation is much better used for cards that have evasion or some form of protection or, ideally, both.