[mtgnexus] Random Card of the Day - Samwise the Stouthearted

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Mookie
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Post by Mookie » 2 years ago

Runic Armasaur is a cute card. I've thrown it in my Animar deck as a tentative draw engine, but unfortunately I haven't actually played enough games with it to have an accurate evaluation. The raw stats - a 2/5 for 3 mana - are pretty good, and if you can draw two cards off it, I'd say you would be happy with its results.

That said, I do suspect Armasaur will come out of the deck eventually - it is fairly conditional. It's certainly not uncommon for an opponent to be running fetchlands, but creatures with activated abilities are a bit rarer. On the other hand, it does make a few infinite combos extremely awkward. It would also be pretty brutal for my Samut deck (tap ability tribal) to deal with. It is a bit weaker of an effect than Linvala, Keeper of Silence, in that it is a punisher card instead of an outright lock piece, but drawing cards in a multiplayer game is certainly relevant.

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pokken
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Post by pokken » 2 years ago

There's also a problem in that it relies on checking a narrow range of actions against everything everyone does. Remember to get it when someone activates Maze of Ith or Eldrazi Displacer or Steel Overseer or activates a Creeping Tar Pit etc etc etc.

I suspect that 50% of all Runic Armasaur triggers, much like Verity Circle triggers, are missed :P

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hyalopterouslemur
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Post by hyalopterouslemur » 2 years ago

I dunno guys *chuckle* there aren't many *snort* activated abilities other than mana abilities I CAN'T DO IT! I want to be one of those kiddies who thinks pretending to be unimpressed at an ovbviously good card because it doesn't win the game on turn one makes them kewl, but this isn't the card to do it on.

You will draw a lot of cards off this.
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DirkGently
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Post by DirkGently » 2 years ago

This is probably one of the cards I've had to reread the most times. It doesn't trigger for artifacts!
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pokken
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Post by pokken » 2 years ago

hyalopterouslemur wrote:
2 years ago
I dunno guys *chuckle* there aren't many *snort* activated abilities other than mana abilities I CAN'T DO IT! I want to be one of those kiddies who thinks pretending to be unimpressed at an ovbviously good card because it doesn't win the game on turn one makes them kewl, but this isn't the card to do it on.
Meh. The percentage of the time it's worse than Phyrexian Arena is a lot, and that isn't really good enough most of the time these days.

The big deal in my experience is that if your opponents do not play a lot of nonbasics (common in a lot of even fairly high powered metas where people blow all their money on non-lands) you don't get the really powerful sequences.

It's not a bad card to play as a tutor target against some kinds of decks I guess, but I would consider it a serious meta call personally.

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Post by materpillar » 2 years ago

Also of note it is a dinosaur, so I've been pretty happy with it in Gishath, Sun's Avatar. A sometimes Phyrexian Arena, sometimes free 2/5 that holds off early attacks has been decent. He's one of the best <5 mana dinos which is a real weak point in their curve.

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Post by Serenade » 2 years ago

Sometimes I have it in decks...just waiting for a more synergistic card to be printed. Reminds me of Shapers' Sanctuary: I'm sure it will draw some cards, but I'd like more certainty on when and how many.
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Post by 3drinks » 2 years ago

Friday, April 30th, 2021; Karn, the Great Creator|prm


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R{R/W} 87guide Burn
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JWK
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Post by JWK » 2 years ago

The static ability is very powerful in many metas - essentially, this is a Null Rod that doesn't mess with your own stuff. The +1 ability has lots of potential uses, including making opponents' artifacts vulnerable to creature removal. The -2 does not work in Commander, but that doesn't prevent this from being a pretty solid card.
I have 68 active EDH decks, with more in progress. I don't consider this a problem. Do you?
I am also one of those barbarians who enjoys winning by turning creatures sideways.

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tstorm823
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Post by tstorm823 » 2 years ago

JWK wrote:
2 years ago
The static ability is very powerful in many metas - essentially, this is a Null Rod that doesn't mess with your own stuff. The +1 ability has lots of potential uses, including making opponents' artifacts vulnerable to creature removal. The -2 does not work in Commander, but that doesn't prevent this from being a pretty solid card.
The -2 does work in commander, just only for things in exile.
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JWK
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Post by JWK » 2 years ago

tstorm823 wrote:
2 years ago
JWK wrote:
2 years ago
The static ability is very powerful in many metas - essentially, this is a Null Rod that doesn't mess with your own stuff. The +1 ability has lots of potential uses, including making opponents' artifacts vulnerable to creature removal. The -2 does not work in Commander, but that doesn't prevent this from being a pretty solid card.
The -2 does work in commander, just only for things in exile.
That's true. It's niche, but there are times that will be relevant, getting back something an opponent exiled with Sword or Path if nothing else.
I have 68 active EDH decks, with more in progress. I don't consider this a problem. Do you?
I am also one of those barbarians who enjoys winning by turning creatures sideways.

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Post by Serenade » 2 years ago

I'd love to use him with Ugin's Nexus. I know Stony Silence gets mean looks when I play it, and that effect is symmetrical. I cannot justify the $ price tag of this Karn, though.
Mirri, Cat Warrior counts as a Cat Warrior.

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Post by 3drinks » 2 years ago

[This post has been deleted at the request of the original poster.]
Last edited by 3drinks 2 years ago, edited 1 time in total.

Modern
R{R/W} 87guide Burn
Commander
WRKellan, the Fae-Blooded // Birthright Boon (local secret santa gift)
RTorbran, Thane of Red Fell (Red Deck Wins)
WBRAlesha, Who Smiles at Death (Slivers)
WBRKaalia HQ

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tstorm823
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Post by tstorm823 » 2 years ago

3drinks wrote:
2 years ago
There's a tentative disagreement here, in that the exile zone is technically an in game zone, which disallows using this ability towards those cards.

It sounds contintuous, but by a strict reading of the tile, this is the accurate definition.
Might want to reread that -2.
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Post by Wallycaine » 2 years ago

3drinks wrote:
2 years ago
tstorm823 wrote:
2 years ago
JWK wrote:
2 years ago
The static ability is very powerful in many metas - essentially, this is a Null Rod that doesn't mess with your own stuff. The +1 ability has lots of potential uses, including making opponents' artifacts vulnerable to creature removal. The -2 does not work in Commander, but that doesn't prevent this from being a pretty solid card.
The -2 does work in commander, just only for things in exile.
There's a tentative disagreement here, in that the exile zone is technically an in game zone, which disallows using this ability towards those cards.

It sounds contintuous, but by a strict reading of the tile, this is the accurate definition.
While that's true of Burning Wish effects and the like, Karn, the Great Creator includes the words "or in exile" specifically, thereby allowing it.

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Post by pokken » 2 years ago

I really do not like planeswalkers getting powerful static effects in place of their most irrelevant ability (ultimate) and/or their two most irrelevant abilities. It results in a lot of overpowered nonsense like Narset, Parter of Veils and Jace, Wielder of Mysteries

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Post by MeowZeDung » 2 years ago

Huh. I always disregarded the -2, but that's pretty swell with new stuff like Osgir, the Reconstructor and, to a lesser extent, Quintorius, Field Historian.

I want to be mad about the static ability, but it's it realistically any "worse" than other hate/tax effects? Like, I'm ok with a meta learning to not be over reliant on rocks. At least it's not paired with an overly powerful + or - activation. Pretty meh walker in commander imo.
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Post by onering » 2 years ago

I mean, the static is really good, but its a pw. You can burn it out, directly destroy it, or attack it to death. There's enough options to remove him that nobody should be mad that he's a one sided stony silence. This doesn't take away from how good he is, just how salty he should make people.

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Post by JWK » 2 years ago

MeowZeDung wrote:
2 years ago
I want to be mad about the static ability, but it's it realistically any "worse" than other hate/tax effects? Like, I'm ok with a meta learning to not be over reliant on rocks. At least it's not paired with an overly powerful + or - activation. Pretty meh walker in commander imo.
Some people probably find the static ability problematic because it is not symmetrical, as is the case with the lower-mana cost Null Rod and some other, similar effects. I personally think it's fine. If a planeswalker is sticking around any length of time in a commander game, your opponents are probably already in a pretty bad state and likely to lose.
I have 68 active EDH decks, with more in progress. I don't consider this a problem. Do you?
I am also one of those barbarians who enjoys winning by turning creatures sideways.

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Post by illakunsaa » 2 years ago

I really wish I could use the -2 for its maximum potential.

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Post by benjameenbear » 2 years ago

I've rediscovered the value of Karn, the Great Creator with Osgir, the Reconstructor. Exile things. Put them back to your hand with Karn's minus ability. Profit.

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JWK
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Post by JWK » 2 years ago

benjameenbear wrote:
2 years ago
I've rediscovered the value of Karn, the Great Creator with Osgir, the Reconstructor. Exile things. Put them back to your hand with Karn's minus ability. Profit.
Yeah, that got mentiond above, and that frankly sounds pretty good.
I have 68 active EDH decks, with more in progress. I don't consider this a problem. Do you?
I am also one of those barbarians who enjoys winning by turning creatures sideways.

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hyalopterouslemur
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Post by hyalopterouslemur » 2 years ago

He can do something, but I prefer a one-sided nothing.

Mycosynth Lattice Stax trickery intensifies.
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Mookie
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Post by Mookie » 2 years ago

I've contemplated Karn, the Great Creator for my Sharuum deck as a way to grab back exiled combo pieces. Ultimately though, that use alone feels a bit niche - if I don't have any exiled artifacts worth fetching, Karn does nothing useful for the deck. On the other hand, Karn is significantly stronger if you have a way to make use of the passive ability (such as Mycosynth Lattice) or the +1 (by animating things to beat down with). If we ever get a Liquimetal Coating effect in the command zone, could certainly combo there.

I will note that the ability to grab cards back from exile is pretty rare, and Karn even fetches them to hand (unlike Riftsweeper and Pull from Eternity, which require additional hoops). As a result, Karn is a pretty difficult card to replace in decks that plan to be exiling their own artifacts. As others have mentioned, Ugin's Nexus is one strong option to recur, but I imagine there is some nonsense to do with Mirror of Fate.

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Post by DirkGently » 2 years ago

Let's be real - the reason people hate him more than null rod is because null rod is hella old and people don't really play it. Karn is relatively new and easily available.
Perm Decks
Phelddagrif - Kaervek - Golos - Zirilan

Flux Decks
Gollum - Lobelia - Minthara - Plargg2 - Solphim - Otharri - Graaz - Ratchet - Soundwave - Slicer - Gale - Rootha - Kagemaro - Blorpityblorpboop - Kayla - SliverQueen - Ivy - Falco - Gluntch - Charlatan/Wilson - Garth - Kros - Anthousa - Shigeki - Light-Paws - Lukka - Sefris - Ebondeath - Rokiric - Garth - Nixilis - Grist - Mavinda - Kumano - Nezahal - Mavinda - Plargg - Plargg - Extus - Plargg - Oracle - Kardur - Halvar - Tergrid - Egon - Cosima - Halana+Livio - Jeska+Falthis+Obosh - Yeva - Akiri+Zirda - Lady Sun - Nahiri - Korlash - Overlord+Zirda - Chisei - Athreos2 - Akim - Cazur+Ukkima - Otrimi - Otrimi - Kalamax - Ayli+Lurrus - Clamilton - Gonti - Heliod2 - Ayula - Thassa2 - Gallia - Purphoros2 - Rankle - Uro - Rayami - Gargos - Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa - Ashling1 - Angus - Arcum - Talrand - Chainer - Higure - Kumano - Scion - Teferi1 - Uyo - Sisters
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote
Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena
Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6

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