Radha, Heart of Keld – Core Set 2021 MTG Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

Radha’s new card is about lands, rather than mana. The shift is subtle, but important, and part of me wonders how much of her game text was designed after people complained that Windgrace’s Commander deck didn’t use the word “land” frequently enough. Joking aside, she has the stats and the offensive first strike to dominate combat, and providing extra lands is almost always of use. I suspect that some constructed decks will lean more towards her combat abilities and some more towards her land ability, and that Commander decks will use both to hit people for 21 out of absolutely nowhere.

So, where is my viking block, Wizards? Radha’s at most one conceptual step away from a shieldmaiden jarl!

Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 4/5
Commander: 4/5

A third card for Radha, and this one is slightly different from her other two (though in the middle of them cost-wise). First strike on your turn makes her a strong attacker, a mana sink ability makes her even stronger, and being able to play lands from the top of your library can help to smooth your draws out nicely. She’s definitely sort of a “good stuff” Gruul legend, but there’s nothing inherently bad with that, though there are definitely creatures with abilities that offer more innate synergy.

Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 3.75
Limited: 3.75
Multiplayer: 3
Commander: 3.5