Is Oko too powerful?
Standard forum
Posted on Oct. 22, 2019, 9:26 p.m. by Benthehen333
What are your thoughts on Oko, Thief of Crowns ? Do you think he's too good? What do you think will happen? Will he get banned???
xtechnetia says... #3
It's ridiculous that Oko comes in at 4 loyalty, can uptick to 6 before passing priority (out of Fry range!), and doesn't die to Questing Beast , an obviously pushed creature designed to be good at handling walkers. R&D flat out stated that he was designed to avoid Fry and the "problem" of walkers dying immediately in the face of opposing board presence (even though that is literally supposed to be the primary counterplay to walkers, through hitting them with creatures).
In addition to being a Standard all-star, he's seeing some usage in older formats too. Yes, I very much think he's too good, although it's really just the latest in the annoying trend of overly pushed walkers since WAR.
We've gotten to the point where the Mind Sculptor himself doesn't even seem that bad - at least Jace costs 4 (so it's reasonable to develop some board presence before he comes down), doesn't start with 9000 loyalty (and in fact stays within Bolt range if you Brainstorm, which is the ideal ability to use on him), and doesn't have any stupid static abilities that prevent interaction.
All that being said, I wouldn't bet on a ban for the time being. In addition to the usual cynicism about "Wizards won't ban a chase mythic from their latest set", there's a valid argument that the post-Field Standard meta needs time to see if it can come up with an effective counter to Oko.
If it does look like Oko decks are dominating every Standard table, you probably have time to sell out before a ban, and even in the case of one, demand in other formats means he'll probably still carry a respectable price.
October 23, 2019 1:58 p.m.
Benthehen333 says... #4
Yeah, I opened 3 packs of Eldraine and got a Fabled Passage, foil Fabled Passage, AND an Oko. And that was when he was $30. Within a week, he spiked to $~60, which is insane. I do think he's pushed on the power level, and don't think Wizards will ban a $60 walker that can make them more money.
October 23, 2019 3:36 p.m.
Psycho9899 says... #5
I do not think Oko is over powered. With all of the walker removal out from war and ect. I never used him, I looked at him and do not see why he was banned. I guess too many cry babies. Haha
Freaksho39 says... #2
I just purchased Oko. Best deck ever. Even beat my worms/Nissa deck. He may be too powerful.
October 22, 2019 10:31 p.m.