Custom Mardu commander help needed

Custom Cards forum

Posted on Oct. 7, 2015, 10:32 a.m. by bababen

Hey everyone.I made a mardu commander today because i really like the color combination but none of the existing commanders. Iam quite happy with my current design but iam not sure about the power level and if hes balanced enough. Please give me some feedback what you think about him and what i could improve to make him a fun and fair dude for my mardu army. :)

bababen says... #2

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October 7, 2015 10:34 a.m.

Monsmtg says... #3

Color-pie wise he doesn't make a ton of sense. Provoke, if I'm correct was a green mechanic for the most part.

October 7, 2015 11:34 a.m.

JA14732 says... #4

Provoke was in Naya colors back in Stronghold. It makes sense, however, for black to have provoke if you think about it a bit-black creatures decide to "assassinate" tapped creatures/feast on the resting. White creatures fight those who have already transgressed (attacked/used magic), red creatures get sidetracked and fight someone who looked at them funny and green creatures decide to prey upon the weak.

Beyond that, though, I think the design is basically a knockout. He punishes opponents for blocking, is on curve, attacks well, etc. I can't really think of anything major that needs changing here.

October 7, 2015 12:10 p.m.

MindAblaze says... #5

It seems awesome, but it doesn't feel black, as JA14732 was saying. You could have it be life loss, but it takes some of his combat effectiveness away.

October 7, 2015 4:02 p.m.

JA14732 says... #6

Um...I was supporting provoke in black. Just going to say that.

Also, making it "life loss" kinda removes the whole point of the card, that smaller creatures can trade up in blocks. Damage is what makes this card work. Weakening a card simply to "fix" the your interpretation of the color pie is bad. Is provoke historically not in black? Yes. Does it makes sense in black? Yes.

October 7, 2015 4:18 p.m.

MindAblaze says... #7

Hah. You're right, I misread what you said. I still feel like direct damage to blockers doesn't feel black, and stretches the color pie to a place that it doesn't often go. It does go there occasionally though and it works for Mardu.

It's a different build that wants to cause life loss by attacking with a bunch of creatures and forcing blocks. Obviously being able to hit for damage to creatures or players is the strongest, but does being able to ping creatures that aren't involved in combat make it balanced?

October 7, 2015 8:39 p.m. Edited.

bababen says... #8

First thing first. Thanks for your input guys.Im aware that his black side isnt really represented but i thought the whole thing with dealing 1 damage was pretty close to something what rakdos does.

Beside that i had the idea in my head of a big warrior who just wants to slaughter as many foes in battle as possible. thats the main reason why id choose the provoke theme. He wants to fight, he wants to kill. Like those who follow him. Also the name "Warbringer" is not just for style. with his second abillity he "brings" the "war" even to those who dont want War with him. And to be honest i think War is pretty dark "black" so hes more of a "passive black creature" if that makes any sense to you :D.

At the end i think hes very Mardu however not the most black of them but i think if i would change anything or give him some black abillty just for the sake of making him more black would not be very productive. So if his lack of black is his only issue iam very happy with him :).

October 8, 2015 3:05 a.m.

Kravian says... #9

Part of me wants him to have wither . . . but that's more of a lich-vibe thing than a giant-vibe thing. It would crazily up the power level also, but would really feel more on-color.

October 9, 2015 10:45 a.m.

This discussion has been closed