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This Space For Rent

Pojo's Magic The Gathering Card of the Day

Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo
Betrayers of Kamigawa


Reviewed May 19, 2005

Constructed: 2.15
Casual: 2.5
Limited: 3.125

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating

Click here to see all our 
Card of the Day Reviews 


Jeff Zandi

5 Time Pro Tour
Veteran

Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo
I like to call this card the Thinking Man's Stall-Out Option. Opal-Eye can virtually shut down the other player's ability to attack and deal damage.
Once you have Opal-Eye in play with a decent amount of untapped white mana, you can keep your opponent from dealing too much damage. This is the kind of

defensive card that I find hard to first pick. Letting Opal-Eye go by you, however, is a big mistake. If white is your deck's primary color, you have to draft this guy. Even if you never used his activated ability for 1W that prevents the next point of damage to Yojimbo, this card will earn his place in your limited decks over and over again. In the end, while he seems extremely defensive (and he IS) Opal-Eye gives you a BIG advantage in combat, and that capability is welcome in any limited deck. In constructed, Opal-Eye is quite a bit more defensive and even slower than he is in limited. Constructed decks defensive enough to use Opal-Eye would probably prefer to play a global removal effect like Wrath of God instead of a combat-controlling creature.

CONSTRUCTED: 3.0
CASUAL: 3.5
LIMITED: 4.0
 


DeQuan
Watson

* Game Store Owner

Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo

This guy is neat in concept, but just isn't practical. He can take damage. He can even live through the damage pretty well. Unfortunately, you need to spend mana to make all of this happen. And right now, the small white creatures are white amazing, and this guy isn't even needed.

Constructed: 1.5
Casual: 2.5
Limited: 2.5
 

Paul Hagan

Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo

This card just screams mediocrity. I guess I can't *really* complain about a creature that is a 2/5 when blocking and that prevents damage to itself, but the fact that it has defender bothers me enough to not include it in many decks. The redirection ability attached to Opal-Eye means that it simply becomes the primary target as opposed to you as soon as you drop it, so don't be surprised when it dies within a turn or two. All in all, no matter what format, this card is decent, but not great.

Constructed Rating: 2.0
Casual Rating: 2.0
Limited Rating: 2.5
 


Christine
Gerhardt

Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo
 
Hmm... an interesting wall that can absorb damage heading your way.  It's not a bad idea, but it does have a couple things going against it that make it not really playable in constructed.  First, it's a defender (wall), so it can't attack.  Next, to use its ability, you need to tap it. So if a creature attacks you, and you want Opal-Eye to absorb the damage so you tap it, then your opponent Fireballs you after combat with lethal damage, sorry, but Opal is already tapped and can't take the heat.  Next is its cost.  2 mana would be better, but 3 is a bit much, and along with it's 1W preventing, Opal-Eye tends to be a bit mana intensive.  But the time you have enough to make it work well, your opponent may be throwing enough damage your way that it could take Opal-Eye out. Meh.
 
So, for constructed, it just doesn't work well.  In casual, it's a bit boring.  In limited, I would play it if I were going white, as it could hold the fort for you for a while.
 
For those of you that are interested...the Saviors of Kamigawa spoiler is making the rounds, and we have a full spoiler of the rares available here:  Saviors of Kamigawa!  Wow...some great stuff is about to hit!!  Take a look at the new BLUE Fork...yes, I said Blue!  And what do you think a 12 casting cost creature looks like?  Check the list and find out! =)
 
Constructed - 2
Casual - 2
Limited - 3.5
 
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