Don't be fooled by his WW mana cost. He really shouldn't see play until turn 5, and the crazy thing is that he actually manages to keep up with whatever nasty things your opponent has running at that point. A great card, and his first ability has actually come in very handy when it comes to things like bypassing protections.
He requires a ton of mana to really do his job well, but the fact that he protects -any- permanent is not to be overlooked. He effectively shut down my friend's land destruction deck, and him protecting a lightning grieves/whispersilk cloak attached to him makes for a difficult situation for your opponents.
A great, versatile card, but don't expect him to save you from everything. Board wipes deeply sadden his enlightened heart.
Posted By:
Asmodi0000
(3/1/2010 10:00:22 AM)
Because Nine-Tails is too mainstream.
Posted By:
Schlapatzjenc
(3/23/2012 8:34:43 AM)
If you're just out to change colors, Painter's Servant is a better choice. No, this guy is good for making your creatures block very effectively, and in the right situation, unblockable. The protection from white is his real ability, and the color change just helps fuel it. This guy will be your opponent's worst enemy in the right deck. He's one of my favorite cards.
Posted By:
SleetFox
(2/19/2010 1:54:49 PM)
Nice, no Mother of Runes though, but could be better late game.
Posted By:
Gishra
(8/8/2010 12:52:32 PM)
Saw this guy combo'd with Horobi, Death's Wail at a sealed deck tournament. When the combo was on the table, it was pretty much game over.
Posted By:
SweetZombiJesus
(11/19/2010 9:00:49 AM)
Unless he's standing alone (or maybe if you're using Changelings), he's absolutely a better Boldwyr Intimidator; more versatile, cheaper and less color-specific ability cost, and 5 less CMC. He also benefits more from Training Grounds.
Posted By:
Aburaishi
(1/3/2011 7:35:45 PM)
Mother of Runes is stronger, but 8.5 Tails has one thing better than her; it can deal with colorless permanents. Back in the old days when Cursed Scroll can snipe white weenies left and right, 8.5 tails can actually protect the creatures by turning artifacts/Eldrazi into white permanents, then grant pro white. Even Land creatures cannot bypass 8.5 Tails.
Not to mention you can repeated uses its abilities per turn.
Posted By:
Cyberium
(2/17/2011 4:37:26 PM)
Cyberium eight-and-a-half-tails is better then mother of runes in many
1.he can protect non creators as well.
2.he can protect more then one card each turn.
3. as you said he can stop cloreless cards
that being said mother of runes is a amazing card and is the essence of eight and a half tail weaknesses I run two of both of them they watch each others backs.
Posted By:
dragonking987
(2/17/2011 6:44:44 PM)
I has protection from everything. Ha!
Well, sorta. Just like basically the rest of the game, doesn't work on shroud. Also has trouble with things that already have pro-white(irony huh?)
I need to get one for an EDH General.
@Arachibutyrophobia - actually, he was one. But then he felt terrible about helping Lord Konda breach the Veil thingy and steal a spirit that he cut of half of one of his tails as penance.
Posted By:
Avatar_of_Wurms
(3/26/2011 7:07:40 PM)
Really versatile card! Haha, as a newbie it took me a while to catch on as to why this old fox is so good. Guess I didn't read it carefully. He's not a game winner but a strong pillar of support for those game winners, since most of the time you'll have something on the board somewhere that you really, really, really don't want dead (or blocked). His biggest weakness is that his abilities are relatively expensive mana-wise in a color that's not so great with mana accel. Also remember that "protection from white" means "protection from your own white spells, abilities, and auras"... wouldn't want to slide off your own Armored Ascension, right? Still, I've been thankful for his presence numerous times.
Also, he's very pretty.
Posted By:
chaoticlivi
(4/26/2011 6:41:32 PM)