What do you get when you mix one part The Dark,
two parts Homelands, top-of-the-line gothic
horror art, and simmer in the modern card face?
We call it Innistrad, and with boosters going on
sale later this week, it's time to start
reviewing. Remember, folks, it's not paranoia if
there really are monsters in those dark corners.
The fact that I saw Stromkirk Noble (and the
rest of the red vampires in Innistrad) and
barely blinked might suggest that I'm either
adaptable or cynical. I love how this guy goes
in both vampire decks and non-vampire decks, how
he strolls calmly past lots of commonly-played
power creatures like Meddling Mage and Knight of
the Reliquary, and the fact that he has the
Whirling Dervish ability (I love Whirling
Dervish!). I also like that they found a way to
express the fact that characters in stories (eg.
Bram Stoker's Dracula) often can't tell that
someone's a vampire until the vampire reveals it
themselves. That's like the last thing I would
have expected to be expressable in card design
form.
Welcome back readers today’s card of the day is
Stromkirk Noble an amazing one drop vampire from
the soon to be released Innistrad. In standard
haters going to hate this is a definitive one
drop of the soon to be reborn red and black
vampire deck, it is Slith Firewalker minus the
haste and the ability to swing through humans
(of which there are plenty of in Innistrad) and
pumps itself a very solid card and a powerful
lynchpin in an expected archetype. In extended
and modern if vampire’s decks see a resurgence
this could become a valuable asset combined with
the previously powerful Zendikar vampires
although I am not sure how much better this
style of aggressive deck is versus Zoo style
decks. In legacy and vintage I am unsure but I
am guessing a big fat no. In casual and
multiplayer vampires are sure to be
popular as are humans so this might make
an appearance although I don’t get too excited
playing a Slith Firewalker in multiplayer.
In limited it’s an early beater which can go
along with a tribal theme an interesting pick
all though depending on what’s its in the pack
it may not be worth picking up early. Overall a
powerful vampire that will help establish red
and black vampires as a top tier deck again.
Today's card of the day is Stromkirk Noble
which is a one mana Red 1/1 that can't be
blocked by humans and gets a +1/+1 counter
whenever it deals damage to a player. For
the cost this is a very efficient creature and
having the vampire type is beneficial as well
with the number of support cards available.
There is no drawback to playing a card like this
in a Red deck and it performs even better in a
vampire theme and any support to give it
additional evasion only adds to the value.
For Limited the number of creatures with the
human type make this even stronger than the
Constructed formats as the unblockable condition
can be reached fairly often. Any 1/1 is
useful early in Limited and with support, such
as targeted removal on non-human creatures, is
can even be effective later. A solid first
pick in Booster that allows flexibility in
choosing a second color, preferably Black for
added vampires, if needed and a good start for a
Sealed deck as well.
Welcome to a new week
of card of the day reviews here at Pojo.com!
This week we look at the amazing new set,
Innistrad! Today’s card is Stromkirk Noble.
Stromkirk Noble costs only one red mana for a
rare red 1/1 vampire. His ability is that he
cannot be blocked by humans, and whenever he
deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1
counter on him.
I witnessed how amazing this guy can be first hand at
the prerelease this past Saturday. There really
is not much to say when turn one this is your
opening move. Even if your opponent followed
with the Diregraf Ghoul, you can still get by
for the hit, and cause an even match. And the
protection from humans can be devastating in the
new set. Even the formidable Werewolves are
human before transforming. Meaning that until
they are transformed, they can do nothing but
watch as you hit their life total.
In standard, this guy is being toted as the next big tourney
card. While this is a fair estimate, I don’t
know how much so it will matter. Shock is still
Standard, and that can be a fast answer, as will
Go For the Throat, and several other kill
spells. In Modern, there is a lot of answers. I
think all in all that this is definitely a
decent card, but will see the majority of its
fame limited to constructed, where humans are a
main creature type. Outside of those kinds of
formats, I think he will be kept in check.
Still a very great card for only one red mana, and sure to be
a favorite amongst red players.
Can't be blocked by Humans? I'm having
Vindictive Mob flashbacks! I have no doubt that
the Noble will see more play than the Mob ever
did though. For one, the numbers on the Noble
are more reminiscent of Slith Firewalker than
Vindictive Mob, and the Firewalker saw plenty of
play. The Noble can hit earlier, swing more
often, and while the Firewalker had haste, the
Noble has an evasion ability.
And what an evasion ability! Since its inception
in Mirrodin, every block except Lorwyn has been
liberally peppered with Humans across all five
colors. And even Lorwyn block had changelings!
Speaking of, Stromkirk Noble and Blades of Velis
Vel look awfully funny together-- I can imagine
giving the Noble +2/+0 and Humanizing a
potential blocker. I predict good things for
this king among his subjects, in Constructed and
in older formats, and on in perpetuity.
