Xathrid Slyblade
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on June 26, 2014, 4:29 a.m. by ChiefBell
found here:
This is the first mono-black card to have hexproof. Also it's designed by one of the guys who works for Blizzard by the way, who worked on like, Starcraft, World of Warcraft etc etc.
Given how they handle Starcraft, that could explain how this card is so peculiar and verging on OP (insofar as an uncommon can be OP).
Junk hexproof in Standard, calling it now.
I'm mostly kidding.
June 26, 2014 4:42 a.m.
aeonstoremyliver - it is only an uncommon. Don't expect too much. However for an uncommon - it's very solid.
June 26, 2014 9:05 a.m.
beakedbard says... #5
The major problem i find is the cost for its ability if the ability costed B or 1B / BB i'd be happy with this card its still easy enough to kill and you end up spending 3B to activate its ability then your opponent can just instant speed remove it. Very cool idea for a card shame about the ability cost imo.
June 26, 2014 9:09 a.m.
I think the ability is quite nicey costed for an Uncommon. I view the ability as more of a "Threat of Removal"...
4CMC for a repeatable removal spell would be good (essentially B + Buyback of 3CMC)
This is similar. You attack. If they block, you pay 4CMC to kill their creature. Wouldn't be good as a 4CMC spell, but for a repeatable ability, it's not bad at all. - Unfortunate side effect of still dying to First Strike and Double Strike... but nothing's perfect.
June 26, 2014 9:24 a.m.
I agree with that. For an uncomon, it has this very strong vibe of 'this could be a repeatable removal spell' from T4 onwards. Hence why the ability costs so much.
June 26, 2014 9:25 a.m.
beakedbard says... #8
I suppose at the least its going to absorb removal or remove one of their annoying first/double strike creature. I do still think 4cmc for the ability is too much to make it playable i agree its perfect for the level of rarity but the card isn't really playable unless it has a lower cost ability. I mean sure it doesn't get doom bladed but there's still loads of other instant speed removal in standard that can deal with it. Hence why i think paying 4cmc just for them to remove it is too much. I do agree its right for uncommon as i said though. It'll certainly be fun to mess around with as well. Having this and Black Cat (been spoiled) on the field could be a good way of delaying til you reach what you need to.
June 26, 2014 9:56 a.m.
Schuesseled says... #10
I'd say ignore the ability, it's a 2/1 hexproof for 3 mana in black. And that isn't bad.
"But why aren't you running a green hexproof deck, you stupid asshole!" screams your mates.
Aye, that's a good question.
aeonstoremyliver says... #2
It's costed right. In fact, maybe a bit too high. A 2/1 for three is meh, considering Invisible Stalker is Hexproof and Unblockable for 1U. This requires an activation cost to switch gears. Great on Limited, but not so much outside of it. I bet it will see very, very little (if any) play outside of Standard, and a big fat zero play in Modern, Legacy, and EDH.
June 26, 2014 4:34 a.m.