Valorous Stance
Standard forum
Posted on Jan. 7, 2015, 5:53 a.m. by ChiefBell
Valorous Stance is a card that was spoiled in FRF.
Now that we've seen a lot of the set I think this card will see a lot of play, at the very least in sideboards. Being able to destroy target creature with 4 or more toughness is enough to answer most of the threats produced by Khans and Theros (Siege Rhino, Courser of Kruphix, Doomwake Giant) AND from the FRF spoilers we know it'll answer every single dragon spoiled and more! I counted the number of cards that this answered in FRF versus those it didn't and it was seriously around 75% of them.
Not only this, but it also has the potential to make a creature indestructible, which is quite funny because it essentially counters itself. The real value here is that at the moment standard is a creature heavy format; being able to blow the opponent out in combat by using this to make unfavourable blocks favourable is pretty strong.
I see this being applicable in both weenie/token strategies to answer problematic blockers, or in midrange strategies to again answer threats or to produce more favourable combat outcomes. What do you think the playability of this card is?
I think it takes a long time for a player to truly appreciate the value of choice. The main advantage being that any choice card or modal (having multiple modes) card is rarely a dead draw because they serve multiple purposes. Often this power is offset by making each effect be overcosted on its own. Where this card is different is that I'd happily pay 2 mana for either of those effects - therefore this card has literally no downside to being a choice card.
January 7, 2015 7 a.m.
I've loved it since it was spoiled, and will definitely be playing it in my decks.
heroic absolutely loves this card. It is everything they needed: another protection spell and a removal spell in one. Like seriously what could have been better??
I think it will be great in just about any deck with 
though. As you said, ChiefBell, having two modes makes this thing almost never a dead draw, and any cards that are almost always a good draw are good in my books.
January 7, 2015 8:56 a.m.
This card is stupid. Is there any other white removal spell that doubles as protection for such a low CMC? Or in any other color, for that matter? I don't think so. Besides, the fact it counters itself means we'll see it being played in both sides of the board quite often. Not to mention it triggers Heroic. Damn.
If this cost 2W to cast, I wouldn't be too impressed. At 1W, though, it's a no brainer in any Standard white deck, and I can see it becoming a SB staple even after Tarkir rotates out of Standard.
January 7, 2015 8:59 a.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #6
Staple white removal for the format. Mana efficient and easily splashed. The 2nd mode is good in this meta as well.
January 7, 2015 9:17 a.m.
Hickorysbane says... #7
It's already been mentioned that it's great in heroic, but I don't think you can stress how good it is there. It's basically adding removal without having to take out any of those precious protection spells. Like how Celestial Colonnade is great for control because it's a threat that doesn't take up a slot for a control card.
The_Raven says... #2
This is really playable. I will be using it in my heroic deck. This card fills 2 very important roles. I hope to see more heroic support.
January 7, 2015 6:25 a.m.