This creature has one of ethese effects that sound more powerful than they actually are. In this case, when only focusing on the effect for this single card, it's inferior to a simple firebreathing effect. Yet, on the other hand, Wizards apparently still wanted to keep some combo potential for this card, since it states damage, not combat damage. That means if equip/enchant this guy with any shooting effects like Viridian Longbow, you can spend your black mana for some extra lifeloss.
Lege
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
This guy is one of the few good commons in the Kamigawa block indeed. Pretty much everything important has already been said already, but I'd like to add that a 2/2 body for {B}{B} is very good for the color.
FurryTyrant
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Question... Can this ability be used over and over in a turn??
Kryptnyt
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
kinda similar in effect to Nantuko shade, but not in creature vs creature power
izzet_guild_mage
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
This thing was great in limited. It effectively firebreathed if it hit a player, and was a 2/2 for two in the tribe supported by soulshift, which made it highly recurrable.
Tiggurix
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
@FurryTyrant: It's an activated ability, so yes, it can.
VoidedNote
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This guy is more of a mind game imo. I use him in my spirit deck. I like using him because your opponent will usually block him rather than a heavy hitter they can kill. He's also great against slow decks. Strongly consider him in a monoblack aggro deck.
i agree with VoidedNote. this card is what black is all about: consequence. a total mind game on turn three, and should it actually be blocked, chances are you'll take something of equal power with it, then still have a t3 play. if it isn't blocked, you prob just dealt 5 damage. doubt they'll let that through again, and will prob do whatever is in their power to remove it. best case scenario opponents will have to waste cards like Fog before you pump, leaving you with mana to play other things. also being black, Wicked Akuba won't stay dead for long. this is one of my favorite cards, and a friend recently did an amazing job of altering its art to make me a one of a kind.
divine_exodus
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(4 votes)
That's fun to say! Wicked Akuba. Wicked Akuba. Wicked Akuba. Heh heh heh....
Maraxas-of-Keld
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Ah man, I used to use this guy in like my first deck. It was fun to be able to swing for 5 on turn 3.
Belz_
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
Wow. Had no idea there was such a great card at common in Kamigawa. Plus the artwork is sick !
Talcos
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(3 votes)
In certain respects, I prefer this card to Nantuko Shade. Less able to take on enemy creatures, perhaps, but you don't have to invest your mana into pumping him up only to see your opponent remove him just before he connects. If they want to get rid of him, they have to act first, otherwise they won't be able to stop you from activating Wicked Akuba's ability. More power to you that way.
luca_barelli
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
that is some creepy flavour text
CollectiveC
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(5 votes)
I hate people who say Kamigawa sucked. It had its downs, but unique goodies like this keep it in my high favor.
metalevolence
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This is a cool card.
ScissorsLizard
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's a fun card, but I don't think it's as good as some people think it is. After a couple of turns, this guy is not getting through, and in the early game, you should be spending your mana on other spells. Viridian Longbow solves this issue, of course, if you want to go that route.
DoragonShinzui
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Give it something to ping with, and you have a scary spirit.
Extremely fun and very compact card. The only problem with it in my experience is that I kept assuming from the art that it had flying, and then attacking with it straight into blockers.
Lord_Ascapelion
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Fantastic black weenie if I've ever seen one. I lost many a life to this little creep back in the day.
lilwolf2005
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Gene Simmons, that you bro?
akubaking
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I absolutely love the malevolent flavor of this card. It's reasonably priced black bear that can stack on damage, if you've got the resources.
And bears love to hear the children cry.
Minus_Prime
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
There is another small advantage besides Viridian Longbow that this has over normal firebreathing. If your opponent is going to kill it before taking the hit, then they have to do so before you pump all your mana into it.
Comments (24)
In this case, when only focusing on the effect for this single card, it's inferior to a simple firebreathing effect.
Yet, on the other hand, Wizards apparently still wanted to keep some combo potential for this card, since it states damage, not combat damage.
That means if equip/enchant this guy with any shooting effects like Viridian Longbow, you can spend your black mana for some extra lifeloss.
4/5
And bears love to hear the children cry.