This was a hot one for limited play, back in the
day. You didn't mind too much paying for this
guy TWICE (thanks to his Echo 'ability'), and
the idea of dropping a 4/4 trampling fattie into
play on turn three (or even turn
two) was pretty hard to resist. I dimly recall
seeing Cradle Guard in a few beatdown decks in
constructed formats, but in general, Cradle
Guard was strictly for limited. The reason is
simple, in constructed, you can't afford to
essentially DO NOTHING the turn after you play
this creature.
Cradle Guard was OK as far as 4/4's go. It's was
nothing exception though. Tying up your mana for
that extra turn was a bit of a pain most of the
time. However, lots of casuals players were
still pimpin' this guy in their Echo decks. In
limited play, this guy always got picked
reasonably early and was sure to be a problem.
Constructed: 2
Casual: 3
Limited: 4
Christine
Gerhardt
Cradle Guard
Interesting. But as I've never heard of it
before, I'm going to guess it wasn't much of a
hit. Basically, even though it comes out as
early as turn 2, you also must give up your next
drop turn 3, for it to work out. If it had
haste, that might make the difference, but it
doesn't. Still, an interesting card.
Constructed - 2
Casual - 2/5
Limited - 3
BMoor
Cradle Guard
I never got to experience Echo firsthand, but
the idea of a "half now, half later" mana cost
is quite intriguing, especially on a card like
this. Green has come to expect more than just a
4/4 trampler for 6 mana, yet it would gladly
play this because it can see play on Turn 3 and
swing on Turn 4 thanks to its "deffered payment
plan". The idea of accelerating it out with a
Llanowar Elf just gets even more ridiculous,
even if it does put the Green mage at risk of
losing the Elf to a Darkblast before the Echo
can be paid.
