Judith, the Scourge Diva – Ravnica MTG Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

She’s shiny, and she knows it. How could she not, when she has basically the best combination of abilities possible for aggressive black-red decks? I’m not just talking about the obvious synergies with Nantuko Husk and Fanatical Firebrand, either. Black and red are great at aggression, but the kinds of creatures that go in those decks can be a little fragile. Judith makes those Goblin Piker variants into things that are above the curve in almost any era of design, and gives you not just insurance, but actual progress in your game plan when they run into Beast tokens and/or Kaya’s Wrath. That’s exactly the sort of thing that threat decks need to survive in settings where answers are efficient, and the only thing I don’t like about her design is that nobody thought of it sooner!

Constructed: 4/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
EDH/Commander: 3/5

Now we’re talking. Judith has two very powerful effects: an anthem effect, and then a way to make sure your dying creatures go out in a rain of heavenly bloodshed and glorious violence. +1/+0 does not seem like a lot…except red/black is very low to the ground, and this could represent three extra on-board power on turn 3. It even pairs well with Goblins and Goblin tokens; while the tokens popping won’t pop your opponents, they will benefit from the power boost.

Also of note, Judith’s death trigger effect will also work when she dies. So there is that! A board wipe by an opponent will still result in a load of pain.

She gets you a good amount of value just out of playing the game, and while I don’t know what her overall usage, I feel like Judith is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Aggressive red decks have a reason to dip their toes into black, and the payoff is quite high.

Constructed: 3.75
Casual: 4.25
Limited: 4
Multiplayer: 3.75
Commander: 4.25