Assuming the curve for creatures is as simple as +1/+1 for one mana is erroneous. There are more subtle complexities going on; for example, you can fudge a bit more when you're getting into midrange creatures like Spiritmonger. If they printed a vanilla 6/6 for five, would you play it? No. Adding a bunch of abilities that fail to force damage through doesn't usually necessitate upping the mana cost, either. See how Spiritmonger never dominated tournaments in any format, for example. Or take Terra Stomper and Silvos, Rogue Elemental -- neither saw much (if any) serious play, despite being very "undercosted" in the simplistic approach to evaluating cards. Clearly, there's more at work here.
Look at some recent cards at five + mana that have seen success:
Baneslayer Angel - Evasion, and she buys you extra protection with lifelink
Exalted Angel - See Above
Reveillark - Evasion a... (see all)
Posted By:
scumbling1
(3/6/2011 7:40:25 AM)
One of the first true "power creep" cards
Posted By:
Revelation666
(12/18/2010 10:49:31 PM)
Two mana fixed for the problem: Terminate.
Three mana: Unmake.
Five mana: Slave of Bolas.
Spiritmonger being a beast means you can use it with Contested Cliffs.
Posted By:
Etregan
(5/26/2009 10:46:44 AM)
What a retardedly good card for an older set. And I thought we were really powercreeping now with Lightning Bolt in standard.
Posted By:
DacenOctavio
(2/10/2011 6:30:05 PM)
when I read the link "report abuse" I want to report this card... is OP! But I really love it!!!
Posted By:
shamanix913
(2/8/2012 9:21:24 PM)
How did something like THAT make it into Apocalypse?
Posted By:
Arachnos
(9/15/2012 7:18:18 PM)
Everything about this card rules. Even the artists name, 'Glen Angus'. It sounds like he's as raw and gritty as a tough steak who Chuck Norris just choked on and died. (Yeah, I did a Chuck Norris joke, sue me.)
Posted By:
Romulox1990
(3/21/2013 4:48:23 PM)
Oh come on, this had to be a mistake.
Apocalypse wasn't exactly the most powerful set (unlike the sets now), and they let something like this fly?
I'd expect "When this creature is dealt damage, but a -1/-1 counter on it" instead, and one of its other abilities would be for First Strike instead.
That wouldn't make a broken card. Instead, we have this.
Not that it's a problem. It's just... out of place
Posted By:
Ferlord
(12/10/2011 9:37:33 PM)
Dat horrific art is the only bad thing I have to say about this card.
Needs a reprint, 4.5/5
Posted By:
pedrodyl
(10/6/2012 5:35:35 PM)
POWER CREE...
Oh how amusing. Printed back when creatures were balanced, yet so good it pushes the envelope even today! As a spike, I'm inclined to give it a 5/5.
Posted By:
talcumpowder0046
(3/8/2013 4:44:50 PM)