I really like the whole "starting life total" rules text. Makes it more fair in EDH and 2HG. Overall, it's really interesting. While Honor of the Pure and Glorious Anthem are both more consistent in terms of the pump, if you have a lot of creatures, the lifegain will actually help a lot. It ends up causing interesting decisions, so while both of the above are more 'playable' in a spikey sense, I think that this card is definitely more interesting.
Posted By:
Aremath
(7/12/2013 12:04:59 AM)
I like the considerate wording with the "starting life total" instead of the fixed "20 life",
since it prevents abuse in formats where players start off with a different life total.
(I'm thinking of scenarios like Rune-Tail in EDH, where you'll usually just flip him right away once he's cast without the requirement of any lifegain whatsoever.)
Posted By:
Mode
(7/14/2013 5:53:56 AM)
I actually really enjoy this card more than other anthems.
Obviously, the lifegain on attacking is the major upside that you're meant to consider.
However, this makes calculating a nightmare for your opponent, and this is the factor that makes me most interested in it.
Your opponent needs to be keeping seriously good track of what he or she is trading with, what he or she is willing to swing into, etc.
All it takes is one hasty creature or Instant lifegain to totally blow out a presumed "safe" alpha-swing.
Posted By:
infernox10
(7/10/2013 1:53:30 PM)
I like attacking with bigger creatures! If I must gain life... so be it.
Posted By:
Kryptnyt
(7/10/2013 4:47:08 AM)
The anthem effect can be up consistently vs. a control deck. Just watch out for your shocklands.
Posted By:
Purplerooster
(7/9/2013 10:05:38 PM)
Seems to need Archangel of Thune for maximum effect.
Posted By:
Murmeldjuret
(7/11/2013 9:22:37 AM)
Not sure I like this. There are better and more consistent ways to get a +1/+1 benefit to your creatures. The life gain on attack is nice, but probably takes at least a few creatures to make it worth it.
Posted By:
Pendulous
(7/9/2013 4:25:47 PM)
In set, Angelic Accord. Out of set, eh.
Posted By:
Layk
(7/9/2013 8:06:13 PM)
This might have its uses, but most white decks would rather have Honor of the Pure, which always gives +1/+1 regardless of your life total. The second ability is a rather small bonus.
Posted By:
SyntheticDreamer
(7/9/2013 7:54:53 PM)
I understand what they are trying to do with this and Ajani's Chosen, but most decks will take Fiendslayer Paladin over this.
Posted By:
Sonserf369
(7/9/2013 8:09:09 PM)