Pointed Discussion

Solid. Makes the thing attacking bigger, so it can attack more often.

Perfect for cheap flyers like Ornithoptor.

So that's what the Returned look like under their masks...

As if an Eldrazi deciding to attack wasn't frustrating enough...

Returned can bestow? Since when? Bestow is a mechanic that clearly represents something coming over the bestowed creature, an emotion, and inspiration. That makes sense with a spirit, but a returned? They have no spirit. They're simply a pile of rotting flesh and bones - having a returned clinging to your back giving you power (as opposed to channeling the power and light of a stag, or the umbral armor of a crab) is such a ridiculous idea it feels as if Wizards didn't even put any thought into this one.

Guys, the whole point of this set is that the borders are breaking down between Theros itself and Nyx. Beings that did not and should not exist are coming to life due to the breakdown in the order caused by Xenagos's ascension to godhood. Spiteful Returned -- somehow, some way, this thing has kept something from its' previous life and is MAD.

Something got away from Erebos, and it's obviously ***ed off. The enchantment tags are things from Nyx, or 'from the gods'. As was mentioned, the barrier between worlds is breaking down at this point allowing things from Nyx to escape into the world.

Lore stuff aside, this guy is a ton of fun in limited. Dropping him early to pressure, then bestowing other things onto him (or simply bestowing him onto something bigger), won me quite a few games this evening. That 2 life loss per swing is a pretty big deal, especially when evasion is thrown into the mix.

This is actually constructed-playable. Fringe playable, yes, but imagine this:

T1: Mutavault, Springleaf Drum
T2: Swamp, Pain Seer, Tormented Hero (tapping the Pain Seer with Drum).
T3: Card from Pain Seer, Spiteful Returned on Tormented Hero, swing for 5 (including 2 that auto-hits).
T4: Card from Pain Seer, Bestow Herald of Torment on Tormented Hero, swing for 8 (including 2 that auto-hits). Or, if the Hero has been killed, just Bestow on the Spiteful Returned and swing for 6 (including 2 that auto-hits).

The fact that this can push damage through is pretty powerful. The fact that it represents at least 4 damage when you bestow it is really good.

There's a lot to like about this card, but the flavor really bothers me as well. Bestow can represent inspiration, possession, a blessing or just traditional magical enchantment. It's a broad concept that flavorfully works on almost any creature type you can think of. But not Zombie and especially not a Returned.

Returned are corporeal dead that explicitly have no soul, no inspiration, no god. Even in the context of BNG plotline, where things are haywire and this guy accidentally came back full of rage or something, how exactly does that enhance my Pegasus? It's just a flavor misfire.

Mechanically its a solid card though.

This is pretty neat bestowed on a Geralf's Messenger. Comes right after it on the curve, and the two cards can suck a lot of life out of your opponent - at least 8, even if an attack never hits. Plus, you won't even get 2-for-1'd if the enchanted Messenger is destroyed - both will come back!
If they do die, though, don't forget that they're both zombies... a Ghoulcaller's Chant or Lord of the Undead can make sure they show up again real soon.

My questing is this lets say I have a creature that is life linking, Then you bestow this card on it, Then lets say you also have Soulbond on it. My question is when it attackers it first before dmg the opponent loses 2 live is this also meaning it life links that? If so does the 2 make counters on the creature before it is blocked and dmg is exchanged?

The Ungrateful Undead

Great in Rakdos agro with Rakdos, Lord of Riots. Pull out this guy turn 2 or 3, swing on turn four, they lose two life, and then you can pull out Rakdos himself with minimal mana investment. Works for me!

Infectious horror has returned.

Get it?... okay, i'm out of here.