A 3/2 flying creature for 3 is quite decent
indeed, even with Echo. These are the same stats
as Snapping Drake, who was hailed one of the
best blue commons in Ravnica block. And the
Gargoyle could block and kill a Drake, and even
survive of you have some red mana open. Which
you're unlikely to the turn after this comes
down, because you'll be paying the echo cost.
It's still worth it-- as long as it survives its
first upkeep, it'll be hard to kill with its
+0/+1 ability (which is weird, but oh well) and
a 3-power flyer demands repsect in Limited.
Constructed- 2.8
Casual- 3.5
Limited- 4
Aethereal
Monday - Basalt
Gargoyle
An updated version of Granite Gargoyle. For the
same cost you get an extra point of power, but
you have to pay echo next turn if you want to
keep him around. Even though he *is* a red
flier, this keeps him right out of constructed.
There are better creatures for the red
aggressive decks (the kind that don't really
mess up your tempo) and better ones for the
controlling decks (like Sulfur Elemental).
In casual, a fine addition to a Gargoyle theme
deck, I guess.
In limited is where this is a fine creature to
have. An early 3/2 flier in red can help you get
in some free shots on your opponent's life, and
you can potentially pump him out of burn range.
Constructed - 2
Casual - 3
Limited - 3
-David N
Monday
Basalt Gargoyle
Wow this guy is horrible. 3 for a 3/2 flier is
anything but average. Add in echo so you're
looking at 6 for a 3/2 is horrible. Then add in
the fact that it has pump up on defense instead
of offense makes him utterly useless. Only
decent in a thick-skinned goblin deck just
because of the evasion.
Constructed: 1
Casual: 1
Limited: 2
Arcane
Basalt Gargoyle
Constructed: Red constructed decks have the only
real flying beaters they need in the form of
Bogarden Hellkite right now, so probably won’t
need this. Boros Decks wins won’t use it b/c it
doesn’t have haste and sets them back on tempo
the next turn when they want to play another
threat.
Casual/Multi: Anybody that reads my COTDs knows
that I hate Echo in multiplayer casual Magic.
The only difference that makes Basalt gargoyle
somewhat more playable here is that
Thick-Skinned Goblin is a bit more playable here
making Echo less of an issue. And with its
shade-like toughness it means for the right mana
the Gargoyle is getting in the way of your
opponents big creatures.
Limited: Evasion is evasion in limited and is
needed to end games. And the disadvantage of
having to pay for the gargoyle on the next
upkeep is offset by the fact that you have a 3
power flyer out on turn three, which is hard to
match by most colors. Again the toughness
boosting ability is going to help in limited as
well by staving off the bombs your opponents
have. Red is very limited in their flyers at
common and uncommon meaning unless you’re in a
flying heavy second color you’re going to want
to grab these just for the defense (unless you
have a lot of removal).
Constructed: 1
Casual: 2.5
Limited: 3
Necro
nomikron
Basalt
Gargoyle:
This is an interesting card. For constructed, I
think he's a bit overcosted, if he were a 3/4
for 2R with echo 2R, he'd be great, but, it's
not. Still, not the worst card you could throw
in a deck, though by far not the best for that
slot (sulfur elemental is showing to be very
strong in decks, and uses this slot).
Casual, there are better creatures for this slot
(see sulfur elemental) and better echo creatures
overall. I don't really see its worth here.
Limited is where this baby shines. 3 power flyer
for 2R/2R? Sounds decent enough to me. Evasion
is evasion, and while this has one of the most
common, it comes on a 3 power creature that can
hit the board on turn 3 and swing turn 4.
Constructed: 2/5
Casual: 1/5
Limited: 4/5
Linc
Basalt Gargoyle
A 3/2 flyer for 3 is not a bad deal. Echo may
certainly be worth the price of this one as he
can act as a big blocker as well. In a mono red
deck, this may have a place in constructed but I
sort of doubt it. In the limited environment
this is a no brainer for an early pick or in
sealed, if you are going red this is definitely
in. This works very well with anything that may
reduce echo or possible null it entirely...a
card you may hear about later this week.
Constructed: 3
Casual: 3
Limited: 4
PsychoAnime
6 mana for a
3/2 with a +0/+1 pump for 1 mana is obviously
bad in Constructed
so the only potential places for it is Casual
and Limited.
In Casual, it can be combined with Thick-Skinned
Goblin! Cool.
In Limited, it's a flyer with a decent body and
an ability that can save itself.
