The Water Civilization prides itself on intelligence and its methods of obtaining it.  Time Scout fills the mold perfectly, as water gets a new weapon for its information-gathering arsenal.  Will Time Scout become the next must-have?  Most likely not, it still has its advantages.

 

Time Scout

 

Cost: 2

Race: Merfolk

Civilization: Water

Type: Creature
 

Rules Text:

·         When you put this creature into the battle zone, look at the top card of your opponent's deck.

 

Power: 1000
 

When I first saw this card I pretty much thought to myself, “So what?”…  Its power is fairly low, the effect is lackluster and it’s a Merfolk.  Having to pay 2 mana for 1000 power for a Water creature is not unusual for this civilization, but it’s still not as good a Emeral.  However, with the effects aside, we’ll see that in the next, set the Melfolk players will be rewarded with one of the most insane evolutions.  Once you see Cruel Naga, Avatar of Fate you’ll realize the real value of this 2 mana Merfolk. ;)

 

Aside from this whole evo concept, Time Scouts effect is still pretty useful.  Whenever you summon Time Scout you get to look at the top card of your opponent’s deck.  Sure this doesn’t give you any hand or field advantage but you’ll get a hint as to what your opponent will choose to do next.  It could be a Soulswap, a Lost Soul, or an Apocalypse Vise.  With this type of knowledge, you’ll get to anticipate the next move and react before it happens.  Fortunately with Time Scout being only 2 mana, you’ll be able to read into your opponent’s strategy and possibly have enough mana to react accordingly.

 

Here’s also another great strategy behind this card…  Just think of it as a reverse Aqua Strummer.  Instead of looking at your own cards you get to look at your opponent’s next card.  This will help you to decide if it’s safe to use Transmogrify on your opponent’s creature.  It’s fun when you transmogrify one of your opponent’s fatties and end up giving them something stupid.  You might also have a chance to bring out Bombazar at the worst possible time for your opponent and give them an instant loss. The other great thing is that when the top card of your opponent’s deck turns out to be a Lost Soul or an Apocalypse Vise you can get rid of that card by casting Transmogrify on your opponent’s creature and sending those cards to the graveyard.  It’s cheesy, yet glorious.

 

So whether you’re an accomplished utility duelist or an aspiring one, this card is for you.  Transmogrify decks will also gain a lot more depth and strategy when using this card.  Sure Time Scout looks lousy at first, but if used properly it will never leave you with disappointment.  Enjoy!

 

The Good:  It’s fun, entertaining, potentially game-winning and has the potential to evolve into one of the most broken evolutions.

 

The Bad:  For now Merfolks don’t have a very good presence in the game and lack support.

 

The Ugly:  If you don’t know what you’re doing then it’ll just end up in your mana zone every game.

 

Constructed Rating: 4/5 – This is a very bold rating for a card that doesn’t seem to do anything helpful at first.  I have a lot of confidence in this card and its evolution.

 

Limited Rating: 2/5 – I guess you can use it for some sort of rush but it doesn’t offer any assistance in limited.  You really don’t have too many options at your disposal in order to have an impact with this effect.

 

Please feel free to post your comments, questions, and/or objections on the Message Board and I’ll be more than happy to respond.  Happy dueling!