Once again we see how Auras are trying to get
around the inherent disadvantage they generate.
This one automatically sacrifces itself to
regenerate its host if it would be destroyed,
sort of like Carapace. Also it's keyworded for
some reason. Why didn't they just give it
Carapace's rules text? Oh well. I'm not happy
about Mammoth Umbra costing five mana, but it is
a good card. Not only does it give its host a
big power boost and vigilance, it also gives it
a big toughness boost, which makes it harder to
kill with damage, and of course sacrifices
itself to save its host, making it that much
harder to kill.
I suppose after Mossbridge Troll, something like
this would be the next logical step: the
creature doesn’t regenerate, so Incinerate and
Terror bounce off it, and it doesn’t prevent
damage, so Unstable Footing has nothing to say
about it. I always had a feeling that elephants
were even more highly evolved than people were,
and this might just prove it.
This is a very nice idea, so if I decide to Day
of Judgement my creature will live? Nice and
interesting. What other cards will grant Totem
armor?
Paul
Magic The Gathering Card of the Day: Mammoth
Umbra
Welcome back readers today’s card of the day is
actually one of my favorite cards spoiled so
far, once again not for the card itself but the
potential of the mechanic. Mammoth Umbra is a
creature enchantment that grants +3/+3 and
vigilance to the creature. Historically creature
enchantments have resulted in card disadvantage
for the player enchanting their creature. The
advent of Totem Armor changes this
significantly. Totem Armor reads if enchanted
creature would be destroyed instead remove all
damage from it and destroy this aura. This
single handedly insures that your enchanted
creature wont cause you card disadvantage. This
particular card wont see much play outside of
limited but if this mechanic brings cheaper
cards to the forefront it will be amazing.
Mammoth Umbra - Totem Armor finally answers the
issue of the two for one disadvantage of auras
and can turn even a 1/1 into a serious threat.
With +3/+3 and Vigilance a 1/1 with Flying
becomes a Serra Angel and anything more powerful
is an even bigger threat. The cost is a
bit high at five and without a creature it is a
horrible topdeck, but this certainly has some
potential. 3.5
