I must admit that Yuliana, Channeler of Suns is entertaining to play and has a conceptually sound effect.  The greatest joy is the fact that it can be placed in a deck designed so your opponent cannot target anything.  Could Yuliana be the next big thing?

 

Yuliana, Channeler of Suns

 

Cost: 3

Race: Mecha Del Sol

Civilization: Light

Type: Creature
 

Rules Text:

Blocker (Whenever an opponent's creature attacks, you may tap this creature to stop the attack. Then the 2 creatures battle.)
Whenever your opponent would choose a creature in the battle zone, he can't choose this one. (It can still be attacked and blocked.)
This creature can't attack players.

Power: 3000

 

Before we get started with the effect, let’s talk about the power.  Having 3000 power for a creature that costs 3 mana is pretty average but it’s somewhat weak for a blocker.  For 3 mana we’re used to seeing creatures with 4000 power (unless the creatures come with an effect).  Fortunately we’re in luck.  Yuliana packs an extraordinary ability, which keeps it safe from being targeted.  Why is this good?  Because your opponent cannot use the effects of Corile, Comet Missile, Terror Pit, Apocalypse Vise, etc. to eliminate this stubborn little blocker.

 

Now let’s think for a moment…  Is Yuliana really that much of a threat?  Having only 3000 power means that Yuliana can easily get trampled by a wide selection of creatures.  It also doesn’t evolve, which means that there really isn’t a point in the fact that it can linger around in the battle zone without being touched.  In order to truly exploit a creature like this you’ll need to give it a boost using creatures like Pala Olesis.  The only problem is that Pala is a lot more valuable in the battle zone and it’s most likely to be targeted first. 

 

Yuliana isn’t bad over all, but it’s not the type of card that can necessarily win a game.  I definitely recommend trying Yuliana in an “un-targetable” deck, which can prove to be very entertaining.  It’s hilarious to watch your opponent squirm when his/her effects don’t do anything.  Aside from this, there really isn’t anything else that can be done with Yuliana.

 

The Good:  It’s a blocker that cannot be targeted.

 

The Bad:  There are better creatures to summon on turn 3 (Pala Olesis, Jil Warka, etc.)

 

The Ugly:  Sure it’s great that your opponent cannot target it but it’s not like you can do anything with it after it’s summoned.  Yuliana doesn’t evolve and doesn’t provide any support.

 

 

Constructed Rating: 3/5 – It’s a blocker with a fantastic effect.  It’s unfortunate that Yuliana doesn’t really add any momentum.

 

Limited Rating: 4/5 – Blockers aren’t very common in limited and this is where Yuliana works best.

 

 

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!