As great
as removal is, it's nothing next to reusable
removal. Some of the most devastating creatures
in Ravnica are 2/2s. I'm talking about Rakdos
Guildmage's 9 friends from the other guilds.
Some of them are more effective than others, but
all of them can change the game if left to their
own devices. Simic Guildmage, for instance, has
proven itself to be one of the best bears of all
time in limited. Combine those with all the
other 2/2 fliers and evasion creatures,
Sporeback Trolls and tons of other annoyances
and you've got a great endorsement for Rakdos'
contribution. The goblin producing ability may
see a bit less play but it will sometimes serve
the same purpose on defense - without costing
you a card. If you're playing black, you want
this. There's nothing else to say about it.
b/r, b/r (b/r can be paid with either B or R.)
3B, Discard a card: Target creature gets -2/-2
until end of turn.
3R: Put a 2/1 red Goblin creature token with
haste into play. Remove it from the game at end
of turn.
Limited: "Hey Brock! What do you think of a 2/2
critter for two mana?" That’s playable, if by no
means terribly exciting. "Ooh! But what if it
could essentially turn any card in your hand
into a Shock?" (or in this case, an
Enfeeblement. Artistic License, my friend.) Yes,
that would get my attention. "And look! It
creates Raging Goblins on command?" I may just
swoon in delight. Not always a first round pick,
but if that first pass of Dissension boosters
goes around and it’s still there, then yeah, I’d
grab it. 3.5 out of 5 (but a 4 if you’re
committed to R/B.)
Constructed: Mr. Rakdos here is the Little
Guildmage That Could. He can play aggressive
defense or you can just give him the ball and
run straight down the end zone for the dunk.
Standard certainly has enough color fixers that
slipping this into non-R/B decks shouldn’t be a
problem. And again, 3.5 out of 5.
Casual: What I said above applies for casual
play as well, so I see no need to keep repeating
myself (like it ever stopped me before.)
However, I do have to get this off of my chest:
Daaaaaaamn! This dude is fugly! Once more with
feeling, 3.5 out of 5.
BMoor
Rakdos
Guildmage
His first ability is removal that helps enable
Hellbent. As though that weren't good enough, he
can also generate 2/1 hasty Goblins at a price
that makes Vitu-Ghazi, the City Tree look pale.
Sure, the Goblins die at end of turn, but a true
Rakdos deck doesn't care. And don't forget, the
Guildmage is still a 2/2 for 2 and only needs
one of its colors to see play and wreak havoc on
the board.
