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Pojo's Magic The Gathering
Card of the Day

Daily Since November 2001!

Mondronen Shaman / Tovolar's Magehunter
Dark Ascension

Reviewed January 19, 2012

Constructed: 3.13 -  Casual: 3.40 -  Limited: 3.90 -  Multiplayer: 3.65
Click here to see all of our Card of the Day Reviews 

BMoor

Mondronen Shaman/Tovolar's Magehunter

In its Human form, Mondronen Shaman is a mere 3/2 for 3R. Nothing special, but decent enough to play. It's the back face that you're here for-- Tovolar's Magehunter is a serious threat. Sure, it's a 5/5 that doesn't have evasion, but it doesn't need to get past blockers, or even attack, to kill an opponent. Any time your opponent tries to do anything, up to and including a Dismember on the Magehunter, they take 2 damage. And what does your opponent have to do to transform it back into the Human Werewolf Shaman? Cast two spells... and take 4 damage. Tovolar's Magehunter can easily play the long game simply by sitting back to block. if your opponent doesn't have a kill spell or a Titan, they'll have to cast more creatures to get through for any damage while you swing with the other Werewolves you no doubt have.

Constructed- 3.75
Casual- 4
Limited- 4
Multiplayer- 4.5

David Fanany

Player since 1995

Tovolar's Magehunter
 
I have to admit, I pre-ordered one of these from a website that sells singles. I know that Mondronen Shaman isn't as cheap or durable an effect of this type as Pyrostatic Pillar was, and I know that she's maybe not as devastating outside of werewolf-based decks. But there's a lot of things about her that will endure long beyond Standard's short-term perspective, including becoming an engine in games with more than one opponent and some kind of Spirit Link effect (and making yourself a crazy target in the process). Not to mention that art - it really gets me, especially the implication that you can do ritual magic with a candelabra. I'll never look at my grandmother's mantlepiece the same way again.
 
Constructed: 2/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 3/5

Paul

Welcome back readers todays card of the day is a new werewolf fresh out of Dark Ascension, like most werewolves the human side is not very powerful and once transformed things get a little better. Being able to shock player when they cast spells is somewhat powerful and a 5/5 body on the werewolf is decent sized. In standard only certain powerful werewolves have been seeing play and no the archetype as a whole this card I feel won’t see much play on its own unless against a deck that wants to cast spells rapid fire to win. In extended and modern the same concept applies except this card could punish decks like pyromancers ascension and provide a solid body. In legacy and vintage I don’t see this seeing any play at all to slow and not enough to warrant playing it maybe against storm style decks. In multiplayer werewolves are not as powerful and this one can wrack up the damage to players but if they play enough spells it can flip. In limited its solid no more no less for the werewolf archetype. Overall an interesting werewolf with some uses.
 
Constructed: 2.5
Casual: 2.5
Limited: 3.0
Multiplayer: 2.5

Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is Mondronen Shaman which is a four mana Red 3/2 that transforms into Tovolar's Magehunter if no spells were cast on the previous turn.  Tovolar's Magehunter is a 5/5 that deals two damage to an opponent whenever they cast a spell and transforms back if two or more spells are cast in the previous turn.  Simply doing nothing, or casting one spell when transformed, on your turns and having a 5/5 for blocking should make your opponent cast two spells and take four damage, or try removal if available.  If not removed, repeatedly transforming it is a useful source of repeatable damage and pressure on the opponent. 
Any kind of protection improves the situation and it can even be combined with Arcane Laboratory or Rule of Law to prevent transformation entirely.  Overall this is a card with potential and could see serious play as part of a spell management theme.
 
For Limited the single Red mana allows this to be splashed and a 5/5 is quite solid in the format, especially if the two damage effect repeatedly triggers.  An opponent in a topdecking situation will likely have to skip a turn to transform it and will suffer four damage as a result.  Four damage and a creature for four mana is a bargain and it can easily become more over the course of a game.  Both the 5/5 and effect make this an easy first pick in Booster and something that should be played whenever possible in Sealed.
 
In Multiplayer this will be a huge target, but using Arcane Laboratory or Rule of Law to lock every opponent down can make this an extremely effective source of damage over time.  Add in cards to protect the werewolf and yourself and it should prove a difficult strategy to oppose.
 
Constructed: 4.0
Casual: 4.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 4.5

John
Shultis
Phoenix
Gaming
      Welcome to another great card of the day review here at Pojo.com. We have been looking at Dark Ascension all week, and we continue by looking at Monodronen Shaman/Tovolar’s Magehunter. Monodromen Shaman is a rare red creature human werewolf shaman that costs theree generic and a red mana for a 3/2. If no spells were cast at the beginning of each upkeep, transform Monodronen Shaman. Monodronen Shaman then becomes Tovolar’s Magehunter, a 5/5 Werewolf that says whenever an opponents casts a spell, Tovolar’s Magehunter deals 2 damage to that player.

      Monodronen Shaman and Tovolar’s Magehunter are just insane. While I wish that the Shaman part actually DID something, anything really, it is when the card transforms that it is really the shaman, punishing those around it for their efforts to transform it back. What is better than Shocking your opponent every time they cast a spell, without ever having to use a Shock? The problem is that there are only so many times that that might actually work in normal circumstances. However, there is another card in Dark Ascension that should see the use of this card far exceed the normal. And have you Shocking your opponent’s every attempt at action for a long time.

      Definitely a great card from Dark Ascension, and what is better is getting one for nothing. That’s right you will be able to get your hands on one of these bad boy Werewolves just for attending your local launch party, February 4th and 5th. So make sure you attend your local Launch Party!
 
Limited: 5/5
Casual: 5/5
Constructed: 5/5
Multiplayer: 5/5

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