Before the review starts let me clarify a few things going on at Galactic Quest. For the next couple weeks I still won’t be able to make the regular tournies because of conflicting schedules with soccer. Following my little break Set 8 releases and then comes the big event in Los Angeles. Right now at least eight of us from GQ plan to make the weekend trip. Until then I’m looking for competitive duels over AIM to stay sharp. Feel free to catch me anytime, preferably Friday evenings. Now back to what I’m supposed to be writing about...

Ultra Mantis, Scourge of Fate

Type: Evolution

Civilization: Nature

Race: Giant Insect

Mana Cost: Six (6)

Rules Text:

• Evolution — Put on one of your Giant Insects.
• This creature can’t be blocked by any creature that has power 8000 or less.
• Double breaker (This creature breaks 2 shields.)
• Flavor Text:

It doesn’t need a weapon —it is a weapon.

Power: 9000

Rarity: Super Rare

Set: Stompatrons of Invincible Wrath

Power/Cost: This category is one of Ultra Mantis’ strengths. He boasts 9k power, enough to handle just about anything in the game, for the standard six mana fatty cost. Very few creatures come with a 2:3 ratio and solid effects to boot. You should not have any trouble paying the cost for Ultra Mantis either. He conveniently comes from the Nature civilization, fitting perfectly into the classic blue/green tandem of draw power, mana acceleration, and beat stick evolutions.

Civilization/Race: Mantis could be great if only he had a better supporting cast. The Giants Insects flirted with greatness for while but just could never quite get there. Four of them cost 3 mana or less (ideal evo-bait range) with ten others requiring four or more mana. Sniper Mosquito has the most potential of these, but everything about the bugger is like an oxymoron. His power and cost are obviously only good early on, while the effect hurts your presence early much like Artisan Picora (and we all know how good he is). In other words, trying to force the Giant Insects to work will probably come back to bite you.

Effects: Yet another unblockable monstrosity. Ultra Mantis works much like the popular Crystal Lancer. Double breaker combined with a guaranteed hit can get nasty. Then take into account that Mantis has ample power to kill anything else while defending himself from counter-attacks on your opponent’s turn. An above average fatty with the right weapons for laying on some serious pain. I like it.

Limited: 2/5

Most evolutions, this guy included, are simply not playable in the draft format. Stray away from Ultra Mantis unless you pull several Trench Scarab, the only feasible evo-bait in Stompatrons.

Constructed: 3.25/5

Ultra Mantis is one of the better Evolutions out there on his own. But when you take his race and rarity into account, it isn’t hard to see why he seldom gets used outside of casual play. Pretty good stuff if you can keep him alive long enough to do damage.

Steven Cantrell

Thrash-494 on DMRealms

Smcman7@aol.com