Baneslayer Angel in her glory
On paper, she looks like a great creature. Yet many people consider Baneslayer Angel a sideboard card.
-She has mythic status and a hefty price tag, typical of cards with great power.
-She has no extreme drawback (besides slaying your bank) as seen in cards such as Krosan Cloudscraper or Leviathan.
-She swings game momentum if she connects with a hit, taking 5 from your opponent and giving you 5 life.
So why does a creature so powerful not have a place in a person's main deck?
The answer goes back to a classical argument:
DIES TO REMOVAL
Often seen as a catchphrase around new cards, the phrase "dies to removal" describes a card that can die to common cards used to take creatures off the board.
What exactly does having a creature removed do to game state? Check it out (for the sake of simplicity, these examples describe vanilla creatures, as always, there are exceptions):
- Destroys play tempo - Having a creature destroyed uses up the mana you used to play that creature. That mana could have been used to play another spell. If you tapped out to play said creature, your opponent can also play spells carefree since he does not have to worry about instants from your side.
- Reduces field presence - With less field presence, your opponent has less to worry about in terms of life point damage. Spells which don't affect the battlefield can thus be played safely, such as card draw and mana acceleration.
- Takes out a card in hand - Having your creature removed from play uses up a card that was in your hand.
- Limits play options on your part - With less creatures on your side of the board, your life points are at risk. While you can use some of your life points to sponge the attack, there are times when you can't afford a hit.
However, is a creature vulnerable to removal a bad creature?
I'll present 2 counterexamples.
First:
Dark Confidant
At a measly one toughness, Dark Confidant will fall to a ginormous variety of removal.
Bob Maher's card is still one of the best creatures in the game.
Bob Maher's card is still one of the best creatures in the game.
What's key to realize is that should Confidant remain on the field, he will fetch you the top card of your library at the life cost of its CMC, thereby replacing itself. It also serves a body on the field, able to block if need be or deal swing for 2 damage.
Another example:
Tarmogoyf has no ability besides getting a boost based on what kind of cards are in graveyards.
The main reason he is good is his cost. For two mana, you're getting a 3/4, a 4/5, or more. Plus, his ability is easy to manage.
As you can see, there are some qualities a card should have to deem it a usable card. Here are some of them:
You'll be using less mana to bring out the Goyfster so you'd be able to protect him with counters or other means.
Despite these faults, Baneslayer wins games if she's unanswered. Being able to create a 10 life divide is huge even if she lasts for one only one turn.
Take note that Baneslayer Angel is making a reappearance in M2011. Expect to see her being played heavily in the new metagame.
Until next time,
@shadowsketched
Another example:
The moneyman Tarmogoyf himself
Tarmogoyf has no ability besides getting a boost based on what kind of cards are in graveyards.
The main reason he is good is his cost. For two mana, you're getting a 3/4, a 4/5, or more. Plus, his ability is easy to manage.
As you can see, there are some qualities a card should have to deem it a usable card. Here are some of them:
- Has a beneficial enter-the-battlefield ability - Whether it be bounce, card draw, damage, or another ability, a creature that can do double duty is good.
- Produces card advantage - Either directly (by drawing a card) or indirectly (destroys another creature, forces discard, etc.).
- Is efficient for its mana cost - General rule of thumb -- the CMC of a creature should be either equal to or less than either its power or toughness. If it's higher, even better.
You'll be using less mana to bring out the Goyfster so you'd be able to protect him with counters or other means.
Despite these faults, Baneslayer wins games if she's unanswered. Being able to create a 10 life divide is huge even if she lasts for one only one turn.
Take note that Baneslayer Angel is making a reappearance in M2011. Expect to see her being played heavily in the new metagame.
Until next time,
@shadowsketched
0 comments:
Post a Comment