Don't write him off, yet. A 5/5 that comes in with around 7 plants (if played the hard way)? If nothing else, 7 0/1 creatures can chump block. In my Rhys the Redeemed EDH, the turn after this guy came on, Rhys doubled them, and I played a land into a Rampant growth. 14 2/3 plants are harder to deal with.
That being said, it's a tough card to rationalize. Green's mana accel is traditionally creature based, but this guy's effect can't be maximized unless you play lots of lands. Seems kind of self-defeating. That being said, it rocks in its niche, and with Explore, Harrow, and Rampant Growth, as well as Walking Atlas and others, it has potential.
Plus, the new hydra card- Avenger + 7 plants= free hydra
4/5
"I love how everyone is I JUST THOUGHT OF A COOL COMBO. "omg RITE OF REPLICATION!" or "OMG DOUBLING SEASON" for a card.
All I can say, is duh, people. That's like thinking of using land to cast mana."
You cast mana? ...Oh! I get it, you're an idiot!
Posted By:
gongshowninja
(11/6/2010 6:09:41 PM)
Not playable at all.
Posted By:
BelloAbril
(1/30/2010 1:27:15 PM)
Although I can see the connections to Verdant Force, Vinelasher Kudzu and Deranged Hermit), I still don't like the overall card design.
1) The mana-cost seems random. The CIP/ETB effect would change with higher / lower casting cost. So it feels like having a Mire's Toll with cmc 3 just to show the power of the effect. Even with a lower cmc, I would have get it.
2) I hate tokens with counters. Like Chronozoa, it's a complete mess if you don't use the special token cards. Which one is tapped and if I create different tokens with a different number of counters, it get's nearly unplayable.
3) If you get 2 abilities on the same card and only one of them is a CIP ability, I always ask myself, why not swap them. A Deranged Hermit is a good card design, because he gives you 4 tokens for a cmc 5 sorcery-like card. And if you pay an additional cost, you'll get an Gaea's Anthem. The Avenger of Zendikar tries to copy this behavior in a more powerful wa... (see all)
Posted By:
Cheza
(3/22/2010 12:49:01 PM)
Seven is ALOT more than six, and it takes alot more landfall triggers to have creatures that are big enough to not die in combat. I'd honestly rather play the faster, and safer Baloth.
Posted By:
Lestat13
(1/30/2010 11:05:06 PM)
This guy is a great example of how a some cards aren't fully realized until after some good time goes by after sets are released. I know this guy doesn't see tourney play but in casual this guy is a powerhouse. He'll almost always get you 4-7 plants depending how fast you can ramp. And with Khalni Garden, he definitely would be good. It would be cool to see a deck using 4 AoZ, 4, Llanowar Elves, 4 Ruin Ghost, 4 Khalni Garden, and 4 Snapping Creeper. Throw in a good 6 Sac. lands, and you got yourself a solid Casual Deck.
Posted By:
EvilCleavage
(8/28/2010 9:21:19 PM)
Win more.
Play Realm Razer.
Posted By:
EpicBroccoli
(1/19/2011 7:24:18 PM)
Mosstodon and vulturous zombie is all sorts of oddness with this card. Vinelasher kudzu being the obvious staple followed by phytohydra, and of course khalni garden.
Posted By:
Donovan_Fabian
(1/29/2010 10:53:10 PM)
I remember saying a while ago (when I saw Utopia Tree) that if Wizards made a plant lord, that I would make that deck. Well, they called my bluff. Now I have to make the deck. It'll have Phytohydra, Sprouting Phytohydra, Vulturous Zombie, all the other nasty plant things from the Golgari. It's silly and Constructed laughs at it, but it seems like it would be a fun kitchen table thing.
Posted By:
Zulp
(1/31/2010 7:14:59 PM)
I really like this card, but it has some down sides for me. Being 7 to cast you will have about 1/3 of your lands out, so you will get 7 0/1's and land fall to make them 1/2's but it would best to run mana prod to get this guy out faster say turn 4 or 5 but he pays to play late to get more tokens and pay to play early to make a few big ones. He can be great if you play him a just the right time but it seems hard to do. Combos great with doubling season.
Posted By:
ajpinton
(2/3/2010 5:55:17 PM)
I think this guy is better than he looks. No it's not very competitive but a great casual card. If you hard cast this guy with 7 lands in play you are getting 8 creatures for 7 mana. For one drop more Verdant Force has a bigger body but makes you wait for your tokens and gives your opponent a chance to get rid of him before he can even make them. Plus if things go well he can grow your tokens for you. If your playing a landfall deck then you should use cards that let you play more land every turn for your mana acceleration, that wont hurt this guys token production and will let you grow your tokens faster. And with the right lands in your deck you shouldn't have to worry about not having lands to play. ex) Ghost Town or Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
I just tried this guy in a monogreen landfall deck and it went like this. I played the avanger and he came into play with 8 tokens. My opponent managed to kill 2 tokens before... (see all)
Posted By:
FirstPrime
(2/16/2010 7:10:29 PM)