Hah! He's almost a nine-tailed fox! Just half a tail to go!
Mode
★★★☆☆ (3.4/5.0)(6 votes)
The second ability gets especially interesting when combined with other cards that interact with that, being Angel's Feather for 1 or Balefire Liege for 3 life, Deathbringer Liege for tapping creatures, Havoc for letting your opponent lose 2 life, Yawgmoth's Edict to let him/her lose and you gain 1 life, Putrefaction for discard, and the most of all: Stromgald Cabal to counter any of your opponent's for and 1 life! Now that's a nice combo.
I also love the artwork with his tails, although it makes one tend to believe he has flying since he's hovering above the ground.
Chrs84
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(3 votes)
Outstanding, what more could you want? we're talking traditional prevent types, the tails is only 2 w to play and is a super quality gameplay, adds tons of dynamic option, great way/version of lockdown... the tails is giving you just about everything you need to win, all you have to do is some damage of your own, the tails has got you covered !
When you rate a card like this you have to think somewhat specific to its color and the gameplay it represents/encourages, as well as how it stacks up generally with any other play... There's plenty of the spirit and essence of white in eight-and-a-half-tails, what more do we want it to do? it couldn't possibly remain 2 w to play and we would basically be creating a new card... I was impressed the first time I came across this card and it wasn't long before I got a hold of 4 for my collection.
no major weakness here either... keep in mind that a really good spell should cause most anybody trouble...
badmofo
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
This guy makes a mess out of a lot of other peoples' plans!
applecorn
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
@Qazior I think Mode is right. It would be a response to a spell. Just like counterspell works, you saying they can't play it and it fizzles. His statements still allow it to pass, but changes the color before it hits the battlefield.
Qazior
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Mode: Only that last one works; those spells are already casted before you can change their color so it doesn't work
If you're just out to change colors, Painter's Servant is a better choice. No, this guy is good for making your creatures block very effectively, and in the right situation, unblockable. The protection from white is his real ability, and the color change just helps fuel it. This guy will be your opponent's worst enemy in the right deck. He's one of my favorite cards.
Asmodi0000
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(10 votes)
Don't be fooled by his WW mana cost. He really shouldn't see play until turn 5, and the crazy thing is that he actually manages to keep up with whatever nasty things your opponent has running at that point. A great card, and his first ability has actually come in very handy when it comes to things like bypassing protections.
He requires a ton of mana to really do his job well, but the fact that he protects -any- permanent is not to be overlooked. He effectively shut down my friend's land destruction deck, and him protecting a lightning grieves/whispersilk cloak attached to him makes for a difficult situation for your opponents.
A great, versatile card, but don't expect him to save you from everything. Board wipes deeply sadden his enlightened heart.
Gishra
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Nice, no Mother of Runes though, but could be better late game.
SweetZombiJesus
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Saw this guy combo'd with Horobi, Death's Wail at a sealed deck tournament. When the combo was on the table, it was pretty much game over.
Aburaishi
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Unless he's standing alone (or maybe if you're using Changelings), he's absolutely a better Boldwyr Intimidator; more versatile, cheaper and less color-specific ability cost, and 5 less CMC. He also benefits more from Training Grounds.
Cyberium
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Mother of Runes is stronger, but 8.5 Tails has one thing better than her; it can deal with colorless permanents. Back in the old days when Cursed Scroll can snipe white weenies left and right, 8.5 tails can actually protect the creatures by turning artifacts/Eldrazi into white permanents, then grant pro white. Even Land creatures cannot bypass 8.5 Tails.
Not to mention you can repeated uses its abilities per turn.
dragonking987
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Cyberium eight-and-a-half-tails is better then mother of runes in many 1.he can protect non creators as well. 2.he can protect more then one card each turn. 3. as you said he can stop cloreless cards that being said mother of runes is a amazing card and is the essence of eight and a half tail weaknesses I run two of both of them they watch each others backs.
Avatar_of_Wurms
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I has protection from everything. Ha!
Well, sorta. Just like basically the rest of the game, doesn't work on shroud. Also has trouble with things that already have pro-white(irony huh?) I need to get one for an EDH General.
@Arachibutyrophobia - actually, he was one. But then he felt terrible about helping Lord Konda breach the Veil thingy and steal a spirit that he cut of half of one of his tails as penance.
chaoticlivi
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Really versatile card! Haha, as a newbie it took me a while to catch on as to why this old fox is so good. Guess I didn't read it carefully. He's not a game winner but a strong pillar of support for those game winners, since most of the time you'll have something on the board somewhere that you really, really, really don't want dead (or blocked). His biggest weakness is that his abilities are relatively expensive mana-wise in a color that's not so great with mana accel. Also remember that "protection from white" means "protection from your own white spells, abilities, and auras"... wouldn't want to slide off your own Armored Ascension, right? Still, I've been thankful for his presence numerous times.
Also, he's very pretty.
NocteMundi
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Best Grizzly Bear ever.
MizziumSculptor444
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Why wasn't this badass in From the Vault: Legends? I have problems with that set...
pedrodyl
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Because Ninetails was taken by Pokemon. someone had to say it...
kashonismw
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
They wanted to call it "nine-tails", but pokemon threw a fit.
@pedrodyl: darn it you beat me too it, lol
Lueseto
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I think there is certain synergy between his two abilities (sarcasm)
Humm, every player has his own magic card pet, so do I, since month ago, when I first tested my EDH deck with Sensei Golden Tail as commander I got 8,5 Tails and Opal Eye on the table and my commander, which was equiped by Konda’s Banner,and Oathkeeper, Takeno’s Daisho. It was pretty late game, so I had like 10/11 lands on my disposal, so, this trio made miracles first I saw how protective and both good in atack and defence it can surely be!
That time I could go to buy soda, while this cards gonna winning by itself =p
atemu1234
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Because nine tails would be copyright violation with Naruto.
Schlapatzjenc
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
Because Nine-Tails is too mainstream.
Fireballmage
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
To all the people joking about why he doesn't have nine tails, it's actually a pretty cool story. http://www.wizards.com/Magic/TCG/Article.aspx?x=magic/chk/eighthalf
tl;dr: He was the one who gave Konda the ability to steal That Which Was Taken, inadvertently starting the Kami War. Out of shame for the millions of deaths he caused, he cut off half of his 9th tail.
Kryptnyt
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The elspeth you are attacking has protection from white. Suck it.
ExzcellionGamma
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Black destroy spells and Red burn spells suddenly became white and negated.
Also combos with Seht's Tiger to make your opponent punch you in the face.
wholelottalove
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
One of the nastiest commanders in white. Two mana to get it out means that it comes out early and can keep coming out after being exiled.
Also does crazy crap using abilities when the game moves forward to have extra mana laying around. You can throw equipment on this guy and have him do commander wins or whatever you want.
Lifegainwithbite
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
All is Dust and his second ability... Goodbye any permanent you like.
Tsuichoi
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
He has faithfully protected my Tamiyo, the Moon Sage on countless occasions in my Sen Esper deck from the many attempts on her life by my opponents.
Excellent card, which should be noted is VERY useful in conjuncture with planeswalkers.
Kadaver666
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Opponent: I'm going to exile your Avacyn Me: can't, protection from white Opponent: My spell isn't white, and she doesn't have pro white Me: Oh. They do now Opponent: Rage Quit.
Comments (34)
Hah! He's almost a nine-tailed fox! Just half a tail to go!
being Angel's Feather for 1 or Balefire Liege for 3 life, Deathbringer Liege for tapping creatures, Havoc for letting your opponent lose 2 life, Yawgmoth's Edict to let him/her lose and you gain 1 life, Putrefaction for discard, and the most of all:
Stromgald Cabal to counter any of your opponent's for
I also love the artwork with his tails, although it makes one tend to believe he has flying since he's hovering above the ground.
When you rate a card like this you have to think somewhat specific to its color and the gameplay it represents/encourages, as well as how it stacks up generally with any other play... There's plenty of the spirit and essence of white in eight-and-a-half-tails, what more do we want it to do? it couldn't possibly remain 2 w to play and we would basically be creating a new card... I was impressed the first time I came across this card and it wasn't long before I got a hold of 4 for my collection.
no major weakness here either... keep in mind that a really good spell should cause most anybody trouble...
I think Mode is right. It would be a response to a spell. Just like counterspell works, you saying they can't play it and it fizzles. His statements still allow it to pass, but changes the color before it hits the battlefield.
Edit: By that last one, I meant Stromgald Cabal
He requires a ton of mana to really do his job well, but the fact that he protects -any- permanent is not to be overlooked. He effectively shut down my friend's land destruction deck, and him protecting a lightning grieves/whispersilk cloak attached to him makes for a difficult situation for your opponents.
A great, versatile card, but don't expect him to save you from everything. Board wipes deeply sadden his enlightened heart.
Not to mention you can repeated uses its abilities per turn.
1.he can protect non creators as well.
2.he can protect more then one card each turn.
3. as you said he can stop cloreless cards
that being said mother of runes is a amazing card and is the essence of eight and a half tail weaknesses I run two of both of them they watch each others backs.
Well, sorta. Just like basically the rest of the game, doesn't work on shroud. Also has trouble with things that already have pro-white(irony huh?)
I need to get one for an EDH General.
@Arachibutyrophobia - actually, he was one. But then he felt terrible about helping Lord Konda breach the Veil thingy and steal a spirit that he cut of half of one of his tails as penance.
Also, he's very pretty.
someone had to say it...
@pedrodyl: darn it you beat me too it, lol
That time I could go to buy soda, while this cards gonna winning by itself =p
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/TCG/Article.aspx?x=magic/chk/eighthalf
tl;dr: He was the one who gave Konda the ability to steal That Which Was Taken, inadvertently starting the Kami War. Out of shame for the millions of deaths he caused, he cut off half of his 9th tail.
5/5
Also combos with Seht's Tiger to make your opponent punch you in the face.
Also does crazy crap using abilities when the game moves forward to have extra mana laying around. You can throw equipment on this guy and have him do commander wins or whatever you want.
Excellent card, which should be noted is VERY useful in conjuncture with planeswalkers.
Me: can't, protection from white
Opponent: My spell isn't white, and she doesn't have pro white
Me: Oh. They do now
Opponent: Rage Quit.
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