I like the flavor on this one. Sure there's the craziness of his ultimate, but I also like that his -2 is a Lightning Bolt
Posted By:
Lancer873
(5/15/2013 5:49:29 PM)
Time Vault
Posted By:
MasterofEtheriurn
(5/22/2013 12:42:52 AM)
@patronofthesound
given that ral ETB on turn four and gilded lotus only interacts with him turn five to produce six mana seems a little silly when basic mana ramp accomplishes the same. and also considering standard decks are consistently tailored to win on turn 5 nowadays that would be too little, too late.
Posted By:
Osprey_93
(5/31/2013 4:58:12 AM)
Stick him with a Gilder Bairn and watch the extra turns stack up. He can get to his ultimate on his second turn out!
Posted By:
mrchuckmorris
(5/31/2013 4:12:24 PM)
I think he could work in a talrand deck to abuse instants and sorcery cards and get a bunch of 2/2 flying drake tokens. and you could play him with the one card time warp to take more turns as well. there is also that high drop artifact that builds counters to burn players and creatures it would work with it as well. another combo is krenko mob boss for mass gain of goblin tokens.
Posted By:
cab1794
(6/4/2013 2:29:59 PM)
@erikstangents
While he can do that with timevault, Tezzeret the Seeker can do it too - but not only that, he can tutor it out of your deck first. Since time vault is restricted in vintage, it is important to be able to tutor for it reliably. On top of that, it means tezzeret is actually a win-con by himself only requiring you to untap with him (and time vault not being destroyed).
As for this card, I think it's pretty good, but not amazing. I'm glad it is a more balanced planeswalker though meaning casual players can enjoy it too, and it's still good enough to potentially see use in a competitive deck.
The main things about this card that I like/don't like:
Dislike:
1) Tapping things doesn't do much because they will untap on their next turn.
2) His -2 is just a lightning bolt. I was hoping for a 'divided as you choose' sort of thing, but maybe that would be too strong (though it is -2...).
Like:
1) Blue/Red ramp anyone?
2) Not broken.
3) Ga... (see all)
Posted By:
SAUS3
(6/7/2013 8:24:14 AM)
Ral Zarek taps what he pleases!
Posted By:
4649matt
(6/18/2013 5:53:08 AM)
Worst case scenario? Tap himself and untap your gelectrode or just a land. Best case, his +1 removes the blocker you needed and you win.
Some random chance is quite acceptable. You simply have to manipulate it that it's not so bad. On average you'll get 2.5 turns. If you round down to 2 turns and have something like Contagion Engine or inexorable tide then you can shoot up to 6 counters without any issue. This means that with a mere 2 card combo you'll almost have infinite turns on average; for 4 mana per turn.
If you're going to net "infinite turns", this is by far the most fair/fun way to do it.
Posted By:
blurrymadness
(6/18/2013 10:53:59 AM)
This guy is custom made for decks that are playing artifact accelerants like Izzet Signet and Everflowing Chalice as well as pingers like Izzet Staticaster and especially Zhur-Taa Druid.
Really though, he is the ultimate best friend of Royal Assassin.
Posted By:
lorendorky
(6/30/2013 11:00:05 PM)
Comparison to Ajani Vengeant:
+1: Ajani's +1 is almost always useful, whether keeping an attacker from untapping (Tamiyo style) or keeping a land from untapping. The tap part of Ral's +1 only works when you're aggro, whereas the untap part can be great, but requires some work before it can match Ajani. Ajani wins
-2 and starting loyalty: Ral has 1 more loyalty, but for the same -2 Ajani also gains you 3 life. I'd call it a tie.
Ultimate: usually we don't evaluate ultimates, as they say. Ral does have the slight advantage of requiring one less turn to ultimate.
In the end, Ajani seems to be a clear winner. However Ajani also had to compete with stuff like Lightning Bolt and more importantly, the overpowered Bloodbraid Elf at four. Ral is good enough to see play in today's Standard.
Posted By:
sweetgab
(7/30/2013 2:18:09 PM)