In its Human form, Mondronen Shaman is a mere
3/2 for 3R. Nothing special, but decent enough
to play. It's the back face that you're here
for-- Tovolar's Magehunter is a serious threat.
Sure, it's a 5/5 that doesn't have evasion, but
it doesn't need to get past blockers, or even
attack, to kill an opponent. Any time your
opponent tries to do anything, up to and
including a Dismember on the Magehunter, they
take 2 damage. And what does your opponent have
to do to transform it back into the Human
Werewolf Shaman? Cast two spells... and take 4
damage. Tovolar's Magehunter can easily play the
long game simply by sitting back to block. if
your opponent doesn't have a kill spell or a
Titan, they'll have to cast more creatures to
get through for any damage while you swing with
the other Werewolves you no doubt have.
I have to admit, I pre-ordered one of these from
a website that sells singles. I know that
Mondronen Shaman isn't as cheap or durable an
effect of this type as Pyrostatic Pillar was,
and I know that she's maybe not as devastating
outside of werewolf-based decks. But there's a
lot of things about her that will endure long
beyond Standard's short-term perspective,
including becoming an engine in games with more
than one opponent and some kind of Spirit Link
effect (and making yourself a crazy target in
the process). Not to mention that art - it
really gets me, especially the implication that
you can do ritual magic with a candelabra. I'll
never look at my grandmother's mantlepiece the
same way again.
Welcome back readers todays card of the day is
a new werewolf fresh out of Dark Ascension, like
most werewolves the human side is not very
powerful and once transformed things get a
little better. Being able to shock player when
they cast spells is somewhat powerful and a 5/5
body on the werewolf is decent sized. In
standard only certain powerful werewolves have
been seeing play and no the archetype as a whole
this card I feel won’t see much play on its own
unless against a deck that wants to cast spells
rapid fire to win. In extended and modern the
same concept applies except this card could
punish decks like pyromancers ascension and
provide a solid body. In legacy and vintage I
don’t see this seeing any play at all to slow
and not enough to warrant playing it maybe
against storm style decks. In multiplayer
werewolves are not as powerful and this one can
wrack up the damage to players but if they play
enough spells it can flip. In limited its solid
no more no less for the werewolf archetype.
Overall an interesting werewolf with some uses.
Today's card of the day is Mondronen Shaman
which is a four mana Red 3/2 that transforms
into Tovolar's Magehunter if no spells were cast
on the previous turn. Tovolar's Magehunter
is a 5/5 that deals two damage to an opponent
whenever they cast a spell and transforms back
if two or more spells are cast in the previous
turn. Simply doing nothing, or casting one
spell when transformed, on your turns and having
a 5/5 for blocking should make your opponent
cast two spells and take four damage, or try
removal if available. If not removed,
repeatedly transforming it is a useful source of
repeatable damage and pressure on the opponent.
Any kind of protection improves the situation
and it can even be combined with Arcane
Laboratory or Rule of Law to prevent
transformation entirely. Overall this is a
card with potential and could see serious play
as part of a spell management theme.
For Limited the single Red mana allows this to
be splashed and a 5/5 is quite solid in the
format, especially if the two damage effect
repeatedly triggers. An opponent in a
topdecking situation will likely have to skip a
turn to transform it and will suffer four damage
as a result. Four damage and a creature
for four mana is a bargain and it can easily
become more over the course of a game.
Both the 5/5 and effect make this an easy first
pick in Booster and something that should be
played whenever possible in Sealed.
In Multiplayer this will be a huge target, but
using Arcane Laboratory or Rule of Law to lock
every opponent down can make this an extremely
effective source of damage over time. Add
in cards to protect the werewolf and yourself
and it should prove a difficult strategy to
oppose.
Welcome to another
great card of the day review here at Pojo.com.
We have been looking at Dark Ascension all week,
and we continue by looking at Monodronen Shaman/Tovolar’s
Magehunter. Monodromen Shaman is a rare red
creature human werewolf shaman that costs theree
generic and a red mana for a 3/2. If no spells
were cast at the beginning of each upkeep,
transform Monodronen Shaman. Monodronen Shaman
then becomes Tovolar’s Magehunter, a 5/5
Werewolf that says whenever an opponents casts a
spell, Tovolar’s Magehunter deals 2 damage to
that player.
Monodronen Shaman and Tovolar’s Magehunter are
just insane. While I wish that the Shaman part
actually DID something, anything really, it is
when the card transforms that it is really the
shaman, punishing those around it for their
efforts to transform it back. What is better
than Shocking your opponent every time they cast
a spell, without ever having to use a Shock? The
problem is that there are only so many times
that that might actually work in normal
circumstances. However, there is another card in
Dark Ascension that should see the use of this
card far exceed the normal. And have you
Shocking your opponent’s every attempt at action
for a long time.
Definitely a great card from Dark Ascension, and
what is better is getting one for nothing.
That’s right you will be able to get your hands
on one of these bad boy Werewolves just for
attending your local launch party, February 4th
and 5th. So make sure you attend your local
Launch Party!
