This is one of my very favorite creatures from
Coldsnap. You may not see him much in Coldsnap
drafts since he is (a) rare and (b) quite
popular, but when you do, you will have a card
that can quickly dominate any game. There is
nothing very unusual about red having a large
flying dragon, but it is quite special that
Rimescale Dragon has the ability to permanently
tap your opponent's creatures for a very
attractive activation cost. Just make sure you
have some snow mana in your deck. In limited,
this shouldn't be much of a problem. Even if you
are only able to draft two or three mana
producing snow permanents for your deck, you are
pretty likely to have one of them in play by the
time you get Rimescale Dragon in play. In order
for this big boy to be all that he can be in
constructed decks, players will need to figure
out how to have enough snow lands in their deck
to make the optimal use of this game changing
card.
This card is a lot of fun. If he sits on the
table for more than a turn he can start to get
real annoying for your opponent. The only real
downside he has is the requirement of snow lands
if you want to activate him. Without that, he's
pretty mediocre.
This card, simply put, had to happen. When
Kamigawa rotates out of Standard, Rimescale will
inherit Ryusei's mantle over Niv-Mizzet and
Hunted Dragon, and stand alongside Shivan
Dragon. A 5/5 flyer for 5RR is par for the
course, but with snow mana, a whole new eschelon
of whoopassery (can I say that?) is acheived.
Now suddenly you can lock your opponents' best
threats out of the game. And don't get me
started on the hilarious interaction with
Rimefeather Owl. And in Limited? I'll have you
know I won four packs at the prerelease on the
back of this card.
Rimescale
Dragon - Lots of dragons have come and gone in
the history of Magic. Most dragons use the
flavor of whatever block they're in. Scourge
gave us Dragon Tyrant for the "size matters"
theme. Mirrodin gave us Clockwork Dragon for the
artifact theme. Rimescale definitely makes use
of the snow theme. Unfortunately, snow is a
pretty weak theme as themes go. Rimescale is
obviously a draft bomb that few decks can stop,
but there's not much going for this guy in
constructed. If we'd had a full three sets full
of snow cards, then maybe a constructed snow
deck would be possible. But there's just not
enough to play with. Rimescale Dragon is a niche
dragon when what we really wanted was a huge
all-purpose dragon.
Yet another big fat flying dragon for Standard,
and this one is quite powerful. It's ability
essentially says "You can't attack me" if you
can keep him around for an extended period of
time, and while they can't attack you can beat
the opponent every turn for five, putting him on
a really quick clock unless he can get rid of
it. Plus, even if they do find a way to get rid
of Rimescale Dragon, if you happen to draw
another one the effect of the new one will still
affect the ones you froze with the previous
dragon.
In limited, you take this card and win with it.
There's an incredibly low amount of spot removal
in 'Snap Limited, and one of the cards doesn't
even work on Rimescale since it's a Snow
creature. Even if red's not your main color,
it's worth splashing some mountains in the deck
just for the sake of playing it.
Constructed: 3.5 - This card'll be a powerhouse
when Kamigawa goes out.
Casual: 2.5 - I don't know about you, but not
letting your creatures attack doesn't sound fun.
Limited: 5 - This card is strong in every way
shape and form.
