One of the few big creatures from very early in the game's history that WotC didn't saddle with some ridiculous drawback, and therefore one of the few such creatures that are playable. While it is extremely rare that there would be any reason to run this in Constructed, this remains, as always, an enormous Limited bomb and a huge favourite at casual tables everywhere.
Posted By:
jeff-heikkinen
(10/2/2009 12:10:51 PM)
I seem to keep running into the same issue with my group of friends. I was playing a two-headed giant game, and my partner played Shivan and Mystic Valed it to give it shroud. She attacked with Shivan and tapped some red mana to give it firebreathing so it would kill the blocking creature, and our friends told us she couldn't use firebreathing because Shivan now had shroud. I tried to say that firebreathing doesn't target the creature, thus shroud doesn't apply, but they didn't agree with me. Am I right in saying that Shivan would still be able to use the ability if it had been given shroud?
As for the card, Shivan is one of the oldest dragons and one of my favorites. It's just a classic.
Posted By:
sarroth
(2/9/2010 8:05:43 AM)
@HairlessThoctar or one volcanic fallout
Posted By:
mtgraptor
(5/26/2010 11:05:09 PM)
I still love this as a finisher in a mono red deck. cast turn 6, swing for 12 the next turn. that should b game
Posted By:
Gezus82
(6/24/2010 3:50:41 PM)
A strong creature for the time of the game in which it would normally come into play.
Posted By:
AmericanVigor
(12/1/2010 12:15:46 PM)
If you're opponent's out of removal and has no flying or reach, you just need to get him down to 12 life, drop this turn 6, and you win turn 7 assuming you can make {R}{R}{R}{R}{R}{R}{R}. Nice card. Beautiful dragon.
That being said, Wizards printed Deadly Recluse in the M10 Core Set.
Exactly how does a majestic scaled ravager of the skies fall prey to a teensy arachnid? One would think the fiery corona given off by this beater would fry that little arthropod to a crisp before it even got to scratch its fangs on Shivi's scales.
In that regard, I'm glad we got Ancient Hellkite; sure, he's not the classic modular pain we're accustomed to, but at least he's got a better shot at toasting critters like nighthawk, coatl, and recluse before he has to go toe to toe with them.
Posted By:
DacenOctavio
(1/10/2011 12:04:21 AM)
Classic card and a great finisher if you're willing to exploit the end of turn loophole (and make your entire casual group hate you).
Posted By:
VampireCat
(1/12/2011 8:13:16 AM)
Sarroth: You were right. Shivan's firebreathing ability is not a targeted ability, despite the appearance. For something to be a targeted ability it MUST SAY "target creature/whatever." Since Shroud only effects its protection on targeted abilities, it doesn't affect firebreathing abilities.
Posted By:
Joseph_Leito
(11/11/2011 11:46:01 AM)
As an uncommon, this would be completely insane in limited.
Posted By:
NeoKoda
(12/21/2011 9:06:13 PM)
This oldest surviving big veteran from alpha still proves to be a solid card. That firebreath has won many victories for red.
Posted By:
woodsgirl
(8/15/2009 9:52:31 PM)