I remember a time during the Ravnica era (the
original one) where Paladin en-Vec was a
dominant creature. There were decks that simply
couldn't defeat that card, especially with
Umezawa's Jitte around, and others that added
colors just to be have a chance (that was kind
of how people rolled back then). Silverblade
Paladin seems, in a sense, to be evoking that
era, although it's arguably more similar to the
Jitte half of the equation than the Paladin.
Soulbond works a lot like auras or equipment in
the form of a creature, and this card has one of
the stronger effects in that subset, making
almost any creature that comes down after it
(and more than a few that come down before it)
into a game-ending threat. Ultimately, the lack
of protection abilities means it probably won't
end up being as dominant as Paladin en-Vec, but
it's easy - and dangerous - to underestimate it.
Today's card of the day is Silverblade Paladin
which is a three mana White 2/2 with Soulbond
that gives it and another creature Double
Strike. Double Strike is a very powerful
effect and as long as another creature is
available to target two creatures with it for
just three mana is quite efficient.
Another creature with Soulbond, evasion, or
Trample are particularly noteworthy choices and
like Wolfir Silverheart this is a card that will
see regular play for quite some time.
In Limited the double White is a drawback, but
Double Strike is huge and any enhancements to
power become a prime commodity in a deck using
this. A strong first pick in Booster and
well worth inclusion in Sealed as even with the
mana cost it is still valuable at any stage of
the game.
Welcome back to the
card of the day section here at Pojo.com! Today
we look at Silverblade Paladin from Avacyn
Restored. Silverblade Paladin is a rare white
creature human knight that costs one generic and
two white mana for a 2/2. Silverblade Paladin
has Soulbond and says that as long as
Silverblade Paladin is paired with another
creature, both have Double Strike.
Silverblade Paladin is getting some attention, and I
can understand why, but I for one still am not
convinced. While gaining Double Strike on tow
creatures is cool and all, that early, what is
worth it? Sure, pairing it with Stonewright is
always nice, two double striking firebreathers,
and there are a few other good options, but he
is so easily targeted. I for one use him more
carefully, and usually only use him once there
is a beefy attacker set and ready to go. One
purpose that I try and use him for is in white
blue, with Invisible Stalker, and really any
kind of pumps on the Stalker, such as two
Trepanation Blades.
Hard to like or dislike the Silverblade Paladin.
While I may not have some of the best uses for
him at this time, I know a lot of people who
have found nice uses, and would say he deserves
higher than a five out of five. Some players I
know use him in knight decks, and with Knight
Exemplar, worry much less about direct kill
spells. So I guess, to each their own on
Silverblade Paladin.
