[M14] Kalonian Tusker and Regathan Firecat

[DeathSDelano]

source: http://www.mythicspoiler.com/newspoilers.html

 

because they were not brought up in the PAX topic

[.Rai]

Chris has said that the Tusker is a strictly better Strangleroot Geist, which I generally agree with. It should see play in green-based aggro decks. Regathan Firecat is pretty awful. Would have much preferred something in the vein of Spark Elemental or Reckless Brute. These things in Limited are usually subpar burn spells. Still, at least Elvish Ranger is now in the correct colour.

[Flame Dragon]

Chris has said that the Tusker is a strictly better Strangleroot Geist, which I generally agree with. It should see play in green-based aggro decks. Regathan Firecat is pretty awful. Would have much preferred something in the vein of Spark Elemental or Reckless Brute. These things in Limited are usually subpar burn spells. Still, at least Elvish Ranger is now in the correct colour.

 

 

I disagree. Geist has haste and will normally trade with a creature the first time it dies. Not to mention it triggers evolve twice. So not only is is not strictly better, I'd argue its worse. 

 

Red always has a X/1. Just wish it was a 2 drop.

[.Rai]

I disagree. Geist has haste and will normally trade with a creature the first time it dies. Not to mention it triggers evolve twice. So not only is is not strictly better, I'd argue its worse. 
 
Red always has a X/1. Just wish it was a 2 drop.

Well, not strictly better, but, this format, at least, better. Evolve is practically irrelevant since there aren't any amazing Evolvers outside of Gyre Sage.

There is nothing in the format that Geist is particularly well-suited against. On the other hand, Tusker can't die to Pillar of Flame, trades with Burning-Tree Emissaries quicker and without dying, kills Augur of Bolas (noting that a control deck won't actually ever trigger an opponent's undying). 3-toughness creatures are much better than 2-toughness this format. It's just an utter given right now.

[Flame Dragon]

Well, not strictly better, but, this format, at least, better. Evolve is practically irrelevant since there aren't any amazing Evolvers outside of Gyre Sage.

There is nothing in the format that Geist is particularly well-suited against. On the other hand, Tusker can't die to Pillar of Flame, trades with Burning-Tree Emissaries quicker and without dying, kills Augur of Bolas (noting that a control deck won't actually ever trigger an opponent's undying). 3-toughness creatures are much better than 2-toughness this format. It's just an utter given right now.

 

 

I've seen decks running Gyre Sage and that it is a powerful synergy since he alone gets its up to a 3/4.

 

I've found Pillar to be seeing less play and this still dies to Spear and Mortars. And while this trades with Emissary it gets double blocked very easily. Geist doesn't mind since it just comes back. Geist also gets past Augur after it comes back and unlike Tusker the first Wrath won't actually kill it.

 

The only card I can see as a problem is Ash Zealot

[The Hounds Of Anubis]

Decks play Gyre Sage and Experiment One, but those two are never in the same deck.

This is better than Geist for multiple reasons. First of all, it doesn't trade as easily, or die as easily. Half of Geist dies to Augur then trades with Snapcaster Mage later on. It also trades with Burning-Tree Emissary twice in stead of never. This is just a more powerful card as a game goes long, and Tusker also fails to die to Pillar of Flame while INN is still part of standard.

Both get the same damage dealt over 3 turns. Geist deals 2, then 2, then 2, assuming no blocks, but any blocks and Geist is dead anyway and you've wasted damage and it now gets blocked by any 2 power creature (should be noted a lot of 2 power creatures have first strike also, and Silverblade Paladin only trades with a Tusker and just kills a Geist). Tusker deals 0, then 3 then 3 while being a bigger body overall.

There are more arguments, e.g. the fact that you don't waste a turn with Tusker trading with Centaur Healer, but the important part is that it's pretty much strictly better except vs Searing Spear and black removal, unfortunately for Geist's sake, Searing Spear comes with creatures that block it well or force it onto defence, and black removal is often backed by Nighthawks and Thragtusks, another creature it doesn't match up to well. Huntmaster flipping also kills either life of a Geist.

In the end, they'll likely see play in the same deck, just for the most part you'd be happier to have Tusker than Geist.