Erik's Random card 7/7/2011
When design handed this over, it was a 3W 1/5 Vigilance. However there was the view that there needed to be more levelers per pack, as that was the major new mechanic of the set.
So this became:
2W 1/3
Level up 2W
Level 1-2 2/4 Vigilance
Level 3+ 3/5 Vigilance
It is a little smaller per mana than one would expect, but levels up to get +1/+1.
It was OK in limited, but not great. However it looked terrible to most people.
So we made it:
2W 1/1
Level up 3W
Level 1-3 2/6 Vigilance
Level 4+ 3/11 Vigilance
The experiment was whether people would like a version that started off terrible, but became big.
On turn 4, you would attack with your 2/6 vigilance. People still didn't like it much.
I wanted it to become a 4 power attacker at the end, to start getting through some of the 0/4 walls.
Matt wanted this one to not get through, which makes sense.
So the next try was one you see. Matt wanted there to be a level... (see all)
Posted By:
WotC_ErikL
(7/7/2011 12:27:21 AM)
I will admit, the lvl cost is a bit expensive, but this guy at level two and drake umbra won me a lot of games at the pre-release. They're now like my two favorite cards from this set lol.
Posted By:
Kamishini
(4/17/2010 12:54:35 PM)
Lol I like him :D
Posted By:
Neutralion
(4/19/2010 9:35:38 AM)
Like most of the "expensive to level up" creatures (that I have noticed), since their full potencial is unlocked at lower levels in comparison to, let's say, Student of Warfare, this creature benefits more from Venerated Teacher and Training Grounds than the cheaper ones. However, they only get to shine in a dedicated level up deck.
It's cool to think that a "tiny" human soldier can block some Eldrazi (like Pathrazer of Ulamog) and live to tell the tale (considreing fully leveled up).
Posted By:
Lmpm13
(7/5/2010 5:53:43 AM)
Level up is a great mechanic but a lot of their abilities are overcosted, as this one. I'd rather have a second creature for four mana (or 4 more for 16). Still...
Posted By:
Belz_
(4/17/2010 2:56:31 AM)
@blindthrall: How can it be the Pillarfield Ox's fault? Everything that is touched by Pillarfield Ox is surrounded by a radiant aura of awesomeness, including this guy.
On a more serious note, it's a decent card. It needs Venerated Teacher to be good, as the majority of the levelers do.
Posted By:
Tiggurix
(6/11/2010 7:12:13 AM)
Where might the Ikiral Outrider be riding to? He's riding to a Siege Tower. Specifically, Doran, the Siege Tower.
Posted By:
a7141988
(4/21/2010 11:56:30 PM)
In a {U}{W} with a couple Training Grounds, it can be a 3/10 Vigilance for 6. A pretty good deal in my opinion.
Posted By:
Diachronos
(4/28/2010 5:57:04 AM)
chances are you aint gonna hard level him past level one but with umbras and such yeah thats pretty beast
Posted By:
TheSwarm
(8/19/2010 11:01:13 AM)
This card is well designed up to the level cost. For what it does, the Level Up cost is about {2} to high. The 10 toughness is great with Doran, The Siege Tower, so maybe thats why they screwed up the Level Up cost.
Posted By:
NecroticNobody
(9/7/2010 7:04:02 PM)