Pointed Discussion

Why do people post idiotic comments on cards that have new rulings printed as clear as day? The ability on this card to tap blockers yes, is non-functional nowadays EXCEPT it received an updated rules change, and now he taps AND PREVENTS COMBAT DAMAGE FROM BEING DEALT BY target creature blocking him. So, oh wait, he's not useless, he's pretty damn good.

Thank you for the functionality amendment, WotC! Really nice touch.

This guy has such great art that it would be a shame for it to remain completely useless.

Looks like Gerrard. No, not that one! Gerrard Capashen!

This is so retarded. Why the hell would they "update" this card to make it completely useless?

Useless ability. Was useful, back when tapped blockers didn't deal damage, but since 6th's rules change? Useless.

Edit: I admit I was wrong when I wrote that. However, as of the May 2011 update to the Master's wording, what I wrote is right!

Wizards recently re-errated this card to be entirely useless. Thank you for keeping the game fun, Wizards.

@CaptainHaddock: Um, no, his ability is useless for preventing damage, and the ruling says as much. Did you even read the ruling you're referencing?

When this was printed combat worked so that tapped creatures didn't deal damage, so the ability was a sneaky way of protecting the card while attacking. Then the rules changed in sixth edition and the card became pointless. The Wizards decided to make the card prevent the damage of the creatures it tapped again because that was the whole point of the card (much like how Howling Mine and similar cards were errattaed to only work while untapped). Then they decided to get rid of the damage prevention again.

So I guess in two years Master of Arms will be able to prevent the damage of the creatures that he taps again.

I preferred it when it said "1W: Tap target creature blocking Master of Arms. Prevent all combat damage that creature would deal this turn."

@Captain_Haddock,
6/1/2011 Tapping the blocker does not remove it from combat and does not stop it from dealing or receiving damage.

Am I reading that incorrectly? or did the ruling change, since your posting?

"Being the best usually means getting your ass kicked by everyone."
—Gerrard of the Weatherlight

Wait. So... What?

Guys, it's still a 2/2 first striker. That's not terrible.

@Eluem and WhereDidItGo: The ruling was made on 6/1/2011. Captain_Haddock posted on 5/6/2010. At that time, there was errata making Master of Arms's ability not useless.

It might be intuitively more straight-forward if the Oracle is identical with the card text for new players, so I can see why they decided to keep the card nerfed by the 6th Edition Rule Changes.
Additionally it could be argued that M10 Rule Changes nerfed lots and lots of creatures like Mogg Fanatic as well, and these cards didn't get an errata either to even things out.

However, I think there are far less cards specifically desinged to made use of the tapped-blocker than there were cards designed to make use of combat damage using the stack.

Adding the original intention of this card, the damage prevention, would be easier to do and get far less messy than trying to fix Mogg Fanaticesque cards.
If they simply add a note dedicated to this wording which explains why the Oracle seemingly does more than what the card did, things will be cleared up and players even learn something about Magic's history as well.

Still I think I'm fine with either wording, both has its pros and cons.

@Eluem and WhereDidItGo, pay attention to when the ruling you are reading was made. The good captain posted that comment in 2010, a year prior to the ruling you are using as evidence that he is wrong. The card has changed what it does between then and now.

With ability 4 star without 2.75.