I really want to give a tsrong review to this
card, but I can't. Green already has some big
fatties for only a couple of mana more that
don't die at the end of turn and still have
trample. And of course, there is already a solid
creature green can play that has haste and
trample, only cost one mroe mana and doesn't die
at the end of turn. That creature is Giant
Solifuge. I'm not saying Groundbreaker will
never get played. You just have to keep it in
perspective.
Will this get played? Well, Giant Solifuge got
played, and they both are effectively just burn
spells you can't really choose the target of, so
yeah it'll get played. Groundbreaker does more
damage for less mana than the 'fuge, even though
Solifuge might actually get to attack twice. And
since so much of Green's philosophy requires it
to push damage through, this can really help
finish off an opponent-- it'll almost always
swing in for some damage, and with haste, nobody
will do combat math around it. Also, there's
Greater Good shenanigans available.
Constructed- 4
Casual- 3
Limited- 3
KC MetroGnome
Groundbreaker
This is one of the cards from the new set that
excited me greatly when I saw it. Ball Lightning
was one of those famous cards when I got into
the game, and to have a reprint of it was pretty
cool. I'm not sure how I feel about it now that
I've had some time to think on it, though.
Obviously, it gives green some much needed
reach, allowing it to put away some of those
games where green has traditionally stalled out.
I've also been rethinking a version of 10-land
stompy in older formats that could have this
card see some play (plus Keen Sense). Having
said that, every color (except probably green
itself) has an inexpensive way to prevent this
card from actually hitting and dealing its
damage. Having your finisher be vulnerable to a
Prodigal Sorcerer is not thrilling. I'd say the
jury is still out on this card in most formats.
Constructed: 3
Casual: 4
Limited: 3+
Aethereal
Groundbreaker
A green Ball Lightning. Ball Lightning was
incredibly good back in the day, so naturally
this would be just as good right? He's decent,
no doubt, but Ball Lightning was so good because
it was red, and therefore was a natural fit into
burn decks. Groundbreaker can't be played in the
red burn decks due to the triple green cost, and
therefore he can't shine in the deck he goes
best in. Still, take a look at him to add some
quick beatdown to your green deck.
In casual, maybe someone will attempt to play
Ball Lightning and Groundbreaker in the same
deck.
In limited, nah. Triple green is hard to get,
and this guy is at his best early on. Also, you
want creatures that stick around.
