By modern-day black standards, this is a very
strong card. First strike and pro-white are very
nice to have, and at two mana, this is well
worth playing. My only fear is that there may
not be a deck for it, given that most black
creatures just aren't up to par with this, and
this calls out for monoblack aggro. We'll see if
I'm wrong.
The path of evil may lead to oblivion, but it
does got style. Another card that's often been
imitated, both because of its power level and
because of its outstanding flavor. If you can
boost some at the pre-release tomorrow, play
with them early and often. Black Knight is sure
to be as much of a hit in 2009's Magic as it was
in 1993's.
Constructed:
With all of the new cool stuff for white, black
still has some powerhouses. The new art on this
one looks good.
Casual & Multiplayer:
Bring in the Knights. Back in black.
Limited:
Very good card against white and others but red
can just burn him out. Still a top pick in my
book plus he is a uncommon.
Overall another good reprint.
Constructed: 3
Casual: 3
Multiplayer: 3
Limited: 4
Later
Miguel
Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno
Today's card of the day is the return of the
classic Black Knight. Last seen in Fifth Edition
from March of 1997 the Black Knight is one of
the strongest two drops in Black's history.
First Strike and protection from White combined
with Black being immune to several of their own
spells makes it difficult for many decks to
handle.
Constructed keeps this card at an even level as
the Human and Knight types aren't heavily
supported currently. White Weenie decks have
almost always been popular and Black Knight is
enough of a concern to cause some sidedecking
when seen. Unfortunately the protection doesn't
extend to non-targeted effects like Martial Coup
or the soon to be rotating out standard Wrath of
God, but many popular removal options are
targeted White spells. A good choice at the two
drop slot or in the sidedeck.
Casual has the card much the same as
constructed, but there is some Knight support
with Haakon, Stromgald Scourge and Auriok
Steelshaper.
Limited is a harder environment to justify a
double Black mana cost, especially at a two
drop. While it is a threat on the field, having
to play two or three colors most of the time can
keep the Knight trapped in your hand as you draw
the wrong type of land. Your opponents will also
be likely to play multiple colors which reduces
the odds of Black Knight avoiding an entire
deck's worth of threats. Even with that any deck
playing enough Swamps will be glad to have him
and he should be a relatively high pick. I do
not suggest drafting him first as it locks you
into a single color too early. If he comes
around after passed you can safely guess that
nobody else at the table is playing Black as
their primary color and can draft into it a bit
more heavily. In sealed it depends more on your
other picks, but again with enough Swamps this
is an easy addition.
Multiplayer is a great place for the Black
Knight as it is small enough to avoid causing
too many waves, but is almost definitely going
to cause some white players a headache. Again
the double Black mana cost limits the deck
choices, but as an early game drop it will keep
you well defended. First Strike will keep most
creatures looking for other targets while you
can build up towards your higher cost spells.
Welcome back readers today’s card of the day is
the iconic opposite of White Knight, the aptly
named Black Knight. Traditional fantasy elements
and iconic creature types and spells are at the
core of Magic 2010 the contrasting knights are a
perfect example of what Wizards is hoping to
highlight in core sets. Surprisingly this is the
first time Black Knight has been reviewed by the
Pojo staff; a lot has changed since the
introduction of Black knight creature levels
have shifted considerably, a 2/2 first strike
with protection from white is still an
impressive creature for only two mana. In
current standard protection from white makes it
immune to Oblivion Ring as well as Path To Exile
and the most commonly played white creatures in
the top tier decks. Mono black decks are set to
make a triumphant return with the introduction
of Magic 2010; a first striker with immunity to
a lot of the commonly played played spells could
be a auto include in future black decks. In
extended and eternal formats I doubt Black
Knight will make the cut possibly in variants of
monblack decks. In casual and multiplayer two
mana for a 2/2 first strike is a good deal the
protection is just gravy, if your area is heavy
in white Black Knight would be an all star
addition to dedicated black decks. In limited
it’s a cheap creature with great abilities a
high pick if you’re heavy in black. One of the
older cards being reprinted in M10 Black Knight
may once again get its time to shine.
