What I like about this card is the innate Indestructibility, albeit you have to pay the 1g for it, but it can be a huge game changer if you get into bomb vs bomb. Basically able to chump any single creature and with trample you'll often be getting damage through to your opponent.
Sure it's slightly costly to get this guy up and running but consider 6G to get him into play /w Indestructibility for the first turn; then look at comparable 6 cost creatures. Not many are indestructible. Meaning often those 6 cost creatures come into play and are instantly destroyed.
IMO any card that offers you versatility is worth considering, and this guy has versatility written all over him.
Only thing I don't like is the Haste, since as mentioned, after his first turn it's a dead ability and more than likely he'll be hitting the board as soon as you have 6 mana, with the 6th point being spent on Indest. rather than Haste.
4/5.
Posted By:
MightyMortox
(8/11/2009 8:01:01 PM)
I don't think you guys appreciate how good the haste can be. As a 5 drop this card is good, and really gets online next turn. As a 6 drop, the indestructibility for a turn is crucial. However, where this card really shines is in a topdeck/deadlocked game where each player has around 10 lands, and needs a bomb. Although he only costs 5, pay 1 for the haste, 1 for indestructibility, and 3 to make him 7/1, you have a huge amount of damage that cannot be destroyed, the turn it comes into play.
Posted By:
Grimn777
(8/13/2009 3:14:50 PM)
Regardless of the art's quality (Kev Walker is amazing) the illustration is terrible. A giant rhino made of dead branches and trees is suppose to be able to 'morph' and change forms at will? The art isn't nearly as distinguishing as it should have/could have been, and that's more of Wizard's fault then Kev Walker's.
If they ever reprint this, hopefully they'll commission rk post to do another rendition of a 'ling card to bring back that old nostalgic feel and continue what they started when they made Torchling.
Posted By:
Omniance
(10/17/2009 10:46:12 PM)
I think some people underestimate the usefulness of this card. I run this in my Bant along with Rafiq, Baneslayer, Noble, etc. and it's proving to be a big nasty especially with pumpable trample. Forces your opponent to use a Path or some other exile type card too. A poor man's Morphling, but appropriate.
Posted By:
QNG425
(11/2/2009 11:54:33 AM)
Make a creature you want. I want whiteling
Posted By:
Neutralion
(11/3/2009 8:03:57 AM)
Alot of your opinions I see posted of this card are going to change as this guy see's more tournament play
Posted By:
Raveknight
(11/8/2009 5:44:36 AM)
sorry, one simple question: why elemental if it is a shapeshifter? I guess just for making someone doing a silly question like this.... :-)
Posted By:
Guest379324807
(2/19/2010 2:05:21 AM)
@ Procrastination
Indestructible doesn't mean it won't die if it toughness falls to 0, all creatures die when that happens :)
Posted By:
Fordin
(2/20/2010 3:20:55 AM)
for the mana you use to play it, it becomes a 7/1, Trample indestructible. I agree that the art is in bad flavor, but it is not bad art. When I'm sitting working on a painting or illustration and somebody say, "hey, it would be neat if you did X", then I hand them the paper or canvas and say, "go nuts".
Posted By:
spectermonger
(3/24/2010 4:44:08 PM)
With Thornling out that just means there are two more '-lings' to complete a 5 color cycle.
Posted By:
Johnald
(5/20/2010 1:26:56 PM)