This was made expilictly for the ninjutstu ability. First strike lets the unblocked creature hit, then ninjutsu another guy in for a second hit. It is really expensive for how often you will be equiping it, though.
Dalek9
★☆☆☆☆ (1.1/5.0)(9 votes)
to kenji: Ninjitsu does not work that way!!
Forgeling
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(11 votes)
Actually Ninjutsu DOES work that way. Let me walk you through it step by step.
Say you declare an ornithopter equipped with a No-Dachi as an attacker. During the declare blockers step, said Ornithopter goes unblocked for any given reason. During the First strike Damage step it deals 2 damage to defening player and is still considered an attackign creature. Just before that step ends you activate say a Skullsnatcher for {B} and it comes into play as an unblocked attacker and the ornithopter returns to your hand. Then during the regular damage step the Skullsnatcher deals 2 damage.
AXER
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(5 votes)
Equip cost is too high and only as sorcery!
Lateralis0ne
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Based on what Forgeling said, I'm kind of embarrassed that this has been sitting in my old Samurai deck.
roguepariah
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
I've always liked this card but have never been able to find a good home for it. Now finally with the introduction of the infect mechanic it will see play in one of my casual decks. cystbearer, ichorclaw myr, contagious nim. First strike on infect creatures can be fun. First strike +2 strength on infect creatures can get crazy.
GrimjawxRULES
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
@Forgeling: Wow, are you serious?! I didn't think players got priority between the damage steps, but if they do then that's certainly some valuable information right there! :)
Kryptnyt
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
What a beautiful blade.
@GrimjawxRULES; They do, actually. Otherwise it might be rough using a Circle of Protection against double strikers! Err, more rough than it already is
GalinPwns
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
This card is way underrated. +2/+0 and First Strike for 2 CMC? Yes please. Combined with Bushido you don't need to worry as much about equipping it only as a Sorcery. Proud to be including this in my Samurai deck.
Fenizrael
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This is an alright card, but Viridian Claw is better if all you want is the first strike. Bladed Pinions is pretty good too.
Great in infect decks.
DrJack
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
You guys are underrating this card (which is typical for any card that isn't Emrakul, The Aeon Bunny). However, I would have preferred that it was 3 mana to cast and 2 to equip. I still like it, though.
DoragonShinzui
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Not a terrible card, but not great either. Playable, but that's about it. Not really worth building around, but if for some reason you were drafting Kamigawa (...I suppose), certainly a usable addition to any creature focused deck.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card will make your creatures win trades, but viridian claw is a much cheaper option with only sacrificing 1 power.
Still the artwork makes me want to run this.
The_Murderauder
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
You guys are all correct. Viridian Claw is probably a better option.
...From a different set. Printed 7 years later.
This is clearly a limited or block-constructed card. The only formats that this has ever shared with Viridian Claw are Modern, Legacy, and Vintage, none of which are viable formats to play either card in.
You really shouldn't be comparing the two.
That said, this is a fine card. Fits in some good casual decks, looks nice, and is very flavorful.
Comments (15)
Say you declare an ornithopter equipped with a No-Dachi as an attacker.
During the declare blockers step, said Ornithopter goes unblocked for any given reason.
During the First strike Damage step it deals 2 damage to defening player and is still considered an attackign creature. Just before that step ends you activate say a Skullsnatcher for {B} and it comes into play as an unblocked attacker and the ornithopter returns to your hand.
Then during the regular damage step the Skullsnatcher deals 2 damage.
cystbearer, ichorclaw myr, contagious nim.
First strike on infect creatures can be fun. First strike +2 strength on infect creatures can get crazy.
@GrimjawxRULES; They do, actually. Otherwise it might be rough using a Circle of Protection against double strikers! Err, more rough than it already is
Great in infect decks.
Still the artwork makes me want to run this.
...From a different set.
Printed 7 years later.
This is clearly a limited or block-constructed card. The only formats that this has ever shared with Viridian Claw are Modern, Legacy, and Vintage, none of which are viable formats to play either card in.
You really shouldn't be comparing the two.
That said, this is a fine card. Fits in some good casual decks, looks nice, and is very flavorful.