Trostani Discordant – MTG Card Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

Trostani is very interesting because she’s clearly inspired by the mythological concept of the trio of goddesses or tripartite goddess. Three is the most important number in many mythological frameworks, along with the numbers associated with it: Kronos was banished by his three sons Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades; three faerie queens came to Arthur at his last crossing to Avalon; and the Eddas speak of nine worlds (three times three) among the branches of Yggdrasil. Usually the three goddesses or three parts of the goddess are in harmony, but we all know that it’s possible for a person not to be in balance with their own self.

Curiously, that discord doesn’t seem to have affected Trostani’s game abilities in any significant way. You know how much I like abilities that come with a creature that can attack and block, and when that ability is Glorious Anthem, it adds up to such a significant boost to combat that it can turn a game around. The token generation ability also ensures that Trostani is just as good when played on an empty table as on a full one. The only one that looks slightly out of place is the third, anti-Control Magic ability. I’m not sure there is much for it to fight in Standard as compared to older formats; but perhaps like the Norns, Trostani can see something bad coming. Stealing is, after all, a signature ability of Nicol Bolas . . .

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

Trostani is back for another Selesnya-centered set, and it’s powerful enough out of the gate. On its own, it’s 5 mana for 5/8 total stats across three bodies, four of which has lifelink. That’s a pretty good bit of value! Trostani Discordant also brings with it a Glorious Anthem-style effect that bolsters your entire board, and it’s not too hard to use Trostani to end the game fairly quickly. The bottom bit of text is pretty ancillary, but it’s good for thwarting blue decks or other decks that try to take creatures. It’s almost always all upside (and a way to thwart an enemy Zedruu), but it’s not a common bit of utility.

Trostani Discordant does have a lot of up-front power, and 4 toughness is a solid amount to protect it from common burn spells. Still, it does present a very clear point of weakness, and it does feel bad to have Trostani get blown up quickly, as that 4 toughness is its only source of protection. But it has a lot of potential power, so it’s worth taking a spin in Selesnya decks (and pairs well with convoke spells).

Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 4.25
Limited: 4.25
Multiplayer: 3.75
Commander: 3.75