This is one of my favorite cards in M13 - I
might go so far as to say it's my favorite in
the black section of the print run. Granted,
that might have more to do with the fact that
it's possibly the most true-to-source depiction
of a gorgon that Magic's ever done, but it still
counts. Even if, for some reason, that isn't
enough to get your attention, I will point out
that anything that can effectively destroy
creatures repeatedly and at will is usually
strong (casual settings can be dominated by the
humble Benalish Trapper!). Just watch out for
the dreaded statue team block. How scary would
that be if you could somehow see it in
real-time?
Today's card of the day is Xathrid Gorgon which
is a six mana 3/6 Black with Deathtouch and for
three plus tapping gives a target creature a
counter that gives it Defender, makes it a
colorless artifact in addition to its other
types, and prevents its activated abilities from
being activated. This is a very nice card
for flavor, though the high cost and not
actually removing the creature make this less
likely to be played when compared to classics
like Royal Assassin. The creature still
needs to be targeted, remains as a blocker, and
the effect has a three mana activation cost
which are also negatives. Looking away
from the effect a 3/6 with Deathtouch just
doesn't compare to the many five mana bombs
Black has had in recent sets. Overall this
isn't really a bad card, but Black has other
options that can enter play earlier making this
situational at best.
For Limited this is a very strong card to first
pick as it has high toughness, Deathtouch, and
can be easily splashed with only a single Black
in the casting and activation costs. It is
unlikely to die when attacked or attacking and
the Deathtouch should keep an opponent
from swinging without a major creature
advantage. If needed the counter is a
worthwhile method for dealing with large threats
or effect users and likely one of the few
repeatable options available. Sealed would
do well to splash this whenever possible and
little should be considered above this in a
Booster pack.
Magic The Gathering Card of The Day: Xathird
Gorgon
Welcome back readers to what I feel is one the
more flavorful cards in the set Xathrid Gorgon.
Sporting a six mana cost 3/6 deathtouch body is
admirable but expensive so that leaves the
ability which allows you to turn a creature into
a colorless artifact and granting it defending.
Aside from being able to remove those artifacts
with some help it requires 9 mana to neutralize
a creature and without using the ability it
gives you one solid blocker. The problem comes
with the fact you need to pump a lot of mana
into this creature to see the true benefit and
by the time this creature emerges it is too slow
to stop a horde of aggressive decks and when
players are playing titans turn six this
creature looks a bit bad competitively. In
modern and legacy and vintage its cost is
prohibitive, it doesn’t fit into existing decks
and is just expensive and slow making it a no go
for these competitive formats as well. In casual
and multiplayer as expected this is great it
deters attackers with the deathtouch and can
force players into awkward predicaments and a
board full of defenders. It combines well with
artifact destruction as well making it a
powerful defensive tool for slow decks and decks
using Cabal Coffers which could give you gobs of
mana to spend on the ability. In limited it’s a
solid pick providing a solid creature and a way
to stop opposing creatures but be sure you can
punch through the defenders. Overall a very
flavorful and resonating card made more for the
kitchen table then pro tours.
