I like this card because it feels like a Specter turned on it's head. It's clearly remniscent of Thieving Magpie, but it brings a player card advantage without having to make the enemy discard their cards.
It's fun and flavorful, although the card isn't the best thing since sliced bread.
Posted By:
Deepfried-Owls
(6/2/2011 7:27:32 AM)
3 damage AND 3 cards for 4 cmc? yes please!
Posted By:
GengilOrbios
(8/24/2011 7:10:16 AM)
A great Phyrexian spin on Skywinder Drake style blue flyers. Getting a three damage gut-punch and watching them draw three is just the right kind of pain.
Posted By:
Opined_Fluke
(11/7/2011 11:07:59 PM)
I love the idea of this with Nim Deathmantle, not that you NEED to do this more than once to win usually.
The thing not to miss is that you are drawing 3 cards for free the turn he hits. While you may eat a turn for 4 mana, it can be what puts you over the top at the end. Even if your opponent smacks you for 7 with a Hero of Bladehold that turn, it can be worth it since you'll be drawing 3 cards for free when this hits. Its an interesting card. It may be very good in a Grand Architect build that can get around the mana curve a bit easier.
Posted By:
SeiberTross
(11/23/2011 9:52:55 AM)
@ThisisSakon: Yeah, that's Phyrexia for you.
That being said, I love this card. Concentrate on legs. Or, rather, wings.
Posted By:
DoragonShinzui
(3/23/2012 9:45:19 AM)
Hey! Someone took Thieving Magpie apart, and put each piece back in a random order!
And, strangely, I like it...
Posted By:
ThisisSakon
(4/29/2011 7:41:21 PM)
combos well with decaying soil or false demise...
Posted By:
Tetsu_tora
(4/28/2011 5:03:57 PM)
It's really powerful in limited infect, especially at common. If it doesn't die or trade with something they threw down, it's a common Concentrate.
Posted By:
auriscope
(5/4/2011 4:48:26 PM)
People that call this cycle counter-intuitive have no idea what they're talking about.
Impaler Shrike can be one of three things:
1. A 3/1 flier until you need to draw cards.
2. A concentrate at common rarity, that takes a turn to get going and deals three evasive damage to an opponent.
3. A high-powered flier that can trade with anything less than four toughness. This is probably the worst case scenario, which in blue is not bad at all.
If you think this card is bad, you are a fool.
Hell, Blind Zealot is almost a Hideous End without the 'nonblack' clause. Hideous End has seen constructed, and if people actually muster enough creativity and originality to play something outside of Cawblade, Blind Zealot could see constructed, too.
Posted By:
Necrokeryx
(5/25/2011 9:04:38 PM)
This card is very easy to kill. But if you fail to kill it, it will thwack you upside the head. So I'd say...mid-pack, mainly because the UU isn't worth going that far out of your way for.
I like the improved design from those cards back in Weatherlight; these don't make you choose between damage and effect.
It also totally reminds me of those birds from Bionicle.
Posted By:
Selez
(4/28/2011 6:47:08 PM)