Red doesn't get as much evasion as the other
colors, but it does get "target creature can't
block" effects. Heirs of Stromkirk here is a 2/2
that gets bigger every time it gets through
unblocked, and it can only be blocked by red
creature or artifact creatures. Red is pretty
good at destroying artifact creatures, and when
was the last time you saw a red creature hang
back to block? The Heirs shouldn't have much
trouble getting +1/+1 counters-- if it can live
long enough. A 2/2 for four mana without haste
isn't very impressive. There are plenty of more
powerful red Vampires in Innistrad block before
you have to fall back on this one.
Creatures with "saboteur" abilities are always
strong contenders, and ones with evasive
abilities are even better. The cost and stats on
Heirs of Stromkirk mean that it probably won't
be taking over any faster environments (compare
Shadowmage Infiltrator or Thieving Magpie -
ridiculous!), but it can still be a strong play
under the right circumstances. Benefitting from
Vampire-related tribal synergy is nothing to
laugh at, and the Heirs very quickly get out
of range of any direct damage-based kill spells
and benefit greatly from
equipment. Plus, things get pretty ridiculous in
combination with Curse of Stalked Prey and Volt
Charge.
Today's card of the day is Heirs of Stromkirk
which is a four mana Red
2/2 with Intimidate and gains a +1/+1 counter
whenever it deals combat damage to a player.
Combining evasion with a built in increase in
power has the potential to win games given
enough time and can readily be supported as part
of a vampire theme. The cost is reasonable
for what you get, but a little high for Red and
needing time to power up into a bigger threat is
a concern when compared to other options.
Overall this is a technically strong card that
just isn't fast enough in a color that is often
forced to race other designs or work around
control and removal themes.
For Limited this is a potentially dangerous
common that is somewhat weakened by the double
Red in the casting cost and artifact creatures
likely being played by any opponent that has
them available. There are only nine
examples in the block, but every one of them can
destroy a 2/2 without being destroyed in turn.
Removal is always a priority in Limited which
takes on an extra support role when running
Heirs as dealing with Red or Artifact creatures
can enable this card to win games. A deck
in Sealed with a Red theme should generally run
this if
the mana curve isn't too heavy around the four
mark. Booster should
consider this a decent middle of the pack pick
when in color, but as it takes three turns to
reach nine damage and doesn't work well as a
topdeck other cards may take priority.
Welcome to the
Pojo.com card of the day section. Today we are
looking at Heirs of Stromkirk from Avacyn
Restored. Heirs of Stromkirk is a common red
creature vampire that costs two generic and two
red mana for a 2/2. Heirs of Stromkirk has
intimidate and says whenever Heirs of Stromirk
deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1
counter on it.
There have been a lot of Vampires that gain +1/+1
counters when dealing combat damage to a player
throughout the Innistrad block. Heirs of
Stromkirk is yet another. And I must say, I
believe it to be one of the worst. Four mana for
just a 2/2 with Intimidate. Nothing to really
get excited about. I would much rather use cards
such as Markov Blademaster and Stromkirk Noble
than the Heirs of Stromkirk. It just doesn’t
live up to much hype. And in a decently running
Vamp deck, your fourth turn drops are likely
either Olivia Voldaren or Falkenrath Aristocrat.
I just feel very let down by the Heirs of
Stromkirk.
