Good points Kow, but dont forget the near-staple Basilisk Collar.
Posted By:
SlickDragon
(9/16/2010 4:20:46 PM)
Basilisk Collar or Loxodon Warhammer can break this guy's drawbacks even. Platinum Angel works, too. Hell, you can even play Platinum Emperion now and not even lose the life! Still not sure if I would run this guy, however. >_>
Posted By:
SolidSoldier
(10/8/2010 12:46:31 AM)
I don't see this card as begging for lifelink. It is in the same spirit of cards like Flame Rift (in RDW) or Hatred (in suicide black) in that they are very efficient at lowering life totals. It's basically the job of the rest of the deck to make sure your opponent's life total is lower than your's.
I think the actual drawback is the blue in its casting cost, because we all know red burn decks can deal quick damage to put them ahead but often run out of steam (remember firebolt's flashback cost?).
Posted By:
zk3
(1/30/2011 10:09:35 PM)
Great flavor text! Though it is countered by that of Teferi's Realm.
Posted By:
Goatllama
(11/28/2011 11:42:10 AM)
It will always deal at least as much damage to you as to your opponent.
I guess it was meant to go in either aggro decks that could use the extra damage to close the deal before the opponent could mount an offense on your low life total, or else in decks that paired it with lifegain to offset the drawback (White deck with a UR splash?).
Yah, this guy's drawback is a little excessive.
Posted By:
TPmanW
(12/6/2011 10:18:42 AM)
This is not a great card, but it's not as bad as people seem to think. You're 
; therefore, you have plenty of burn and bounce to clear the way for this guy! Attack a few times, bounce/burn any blockers (if they die, you will trample over all four damage), and once the opponent is at 4 or so, burn them to death! It's not a stellar card, especially now that creatures are more powerful, but it is in no way worth less than two stars.
2.5/5
Posted By:
Superllama12
(7/10/2013 3:52:03 PM)
With the new fateful hour keyword, perhaps this card in combination with a Platinum Angel could actually turn the drop back into an advantage? But there are probably easier, safer ways of dealing damage to yourself...
Posted By:
vesterpop
(4/24/2012 3:21:39 PM)
Needs firebreathing.
Posted By:
Keegan__
(1/30/2010 3:29:08 AM)
I think there's probably better ways to repeatedly deal equal damage to an opponent and yourself.
Hurricane?
Earthquake?
Pestilence?
All of these seem like better options. This guy's a blocker, but unless the attacker has a power of more than 4, you're still at a loss.
It has it's uses(Reducing the life total of both players), but there are better ways to accomplish this.
Posted By:
NoobOfLore
(3/5/2011 3:21:48 PM)