@Glech: it's not a "problem" it's synergy.
Posted By:
lorendorky
(4/8/2012 6:57:51 PM)
There are so many great creatures to abuse Whitemane Lion's bounce ability with. Augury Owl, Kor Cartographer, Clone, Sphinx of Uthuun, Cryptic Annelid
Posted By:
Speednat
(4/5/2012 9:27:25 PM)
Y'know, when you activate Venser's final ability, this guy suddenly becomes a reusable
{1}{W}: Exile target permanent
Aside from its use in the duel deck, a versatile card that can save your important creature from mass removal and can cause more enters the battlefield effects to trigger. Being a 2/2 is nothing to scoff at either, you can also use it in combat to chump block an opposing creature, then cast the lion to save it before combat damage is dealt.
Posted By:
tcollins
(5/22/2012 5:25:00 PM)
Why such a low rating? Flash bear with another great ability.
Posted By:
TheWrathofShane
(6/3/2013 3:06:37 AM)
@Speednat
The only problem is that Venser already does that with one of his abilities; of course, having an early way to reactivate ETB effects is always nice.
Posted By:
Glech
(4/8/2012 10:22:15 AM)
Notably the ability is untargted as well.
This means you can even return creatures with shroud or Phantasmal Image.
"Why such a low rating? Flash bear with another great ability." --TheWrathofShane
Note that this ability is not unconditionally advantageous since it lacks a "may"-clause.
So what you say is not entirely true. It might be better than a flash bear, but it might also be worse.
Depending on the situation, might even turn out to be a drawback. It does not say "another creature", so if there aren't any other creatures on your side of the field, you'll have to return the lion. And if you don't play it in response to an opponent's removal spell or something similar, it might be inconvenient as well.
However, compared to Cavern Harpy I still think this card is underrated, at least in this Duel Deck printing.
Posted By:
Mode
(10/15/2013 11:36:26 AM)
You don't even have to bother with bouncing some other creature.
Aluren + Whitemane lets you Storm like a boss.
Posted By:
Salient
(11/2/2013 11:25:51 PM)
Apparently "you may" is worth more than an entire star. Compare to deputy of acquittals, which has a harder casting cost.
Posted By:
jonrds
(1/13/2014 2:39:40 PM)