This is a great example of an old-school tribal mechanic that simply didn't work because it weakens the tribe if it dies, just like Heart Wolf and other cards of its day. Wizards eventually realized that no one would play these cards with that kind of penalty (and they were hardly overpowered). But it took a few more years before they got there.
Posted By:
ChumleyX
(11/30/2012 3:55:45 PM)
The card could have also been named Vodalian Party Ship. Everybody get on board and full speed ahead!
I like the card. Very flavorful. Not that good, but fun.
Posted By:
majinara
(7/4/2013 10:24:02 AM)
Back in the day, Vodalian War Machine went with War Barge and Phantasmal Terrain. That was the cheap way to make your merfolk effective without the Lord of Atlantis. Terror was generally met with Counterspell and Swords to Plowshares' exile not sending the "Machine" to the graveyard didn't kill off your merfolk. Still lethal today with Stonybrook Schoolmaster and Intruder Alarm in casual play.
Posted By:
elhajjaj
(8/31/2013 12:43:45 PM)
Yet another fallen empires flavor win but functional fail...kind of glad wanky cards like this exist, mainly for artistic appreciation and the occasional bad doomsday device deck. But please don't print them anymore.
Although if you can win with this you are a planeswalker of the highest order.
Posted By:
patronofthesound
(10/23/2013 3:30:21 PM)
Patron, scary thing is that I know a friend who has a Merfolk deck and regularly does win with this thing. He uses its ability to tap other Merfolk without attacking with them, and usually if we forget about him for a turn or two he can simply take over the game on his own, becoming too much for the table to deal with.
Posted By:
Habreno
(1/24/2014 3:28:46 AM)