MTG: The Eventide OOO Factor
Posted on August 3, 2008
Filed Under Gaming
As a casual tournament player I like seeing cards that could shake up the Standard format.
I already loved the Boartusk Liege for red/green aggro. Now they release the Balefire Liege? This is clearly a card that helps red in so many ways. It also adds some possibilities in strengthening the Kithkin midgame.
A lot of people seem to be split on if this card will see tournament play. I don’t see why not since Oversoul of Dusk, Demigod of Revenge and Deus of Calamity see tons of play at the heavier five casting cost. And I am sure Chameleon Colossus would still be a preferred monster at five mana.
So what can be expected with Balefire Liege in each color?
Elemental:
If you go elemental red it really can be a beating. It can benefit from the power of the Liege by playing easy drops in Smokebraider, Rage Forger and Soulstoke. Incinerate, Firespout, Flame Javelin and even the lesser favorite Lash Out has real potential. Elemental red won’t have to reach far for the Revelark now that there are two additional red/white lands in Rugged Prairie with Primal Beyond.
RDW:
Basic red decks really get the bigger advantage I think. Early drops in Tattermunge Maniac and the Figure of Destiny make red very hard to deal with in the early game. And since red usually runs 12-16 burn spells, the Balefire’s ability can become a game ending blast of damage.
Mono White:
If you go purely white you can play a control game with Unmake, o-rings, Crib Swap and Hallowed Burial. All that and you get to gain a ton of life to get out of reach of red. White can play like the days of old, where smooth easy paced play ruled the board until the Serra hit the table. You can effectively use smart removal and swing in for the remainder with a large Figure of Destiny or Akroma.
Red/White:
I can see Brion Stoutarm being a true monster MVP in the mixed build. Of course a 6/6 lifelinked giant thanks to the Balefire is always good. A solid balance of passive aggressive behavior could be the way to go as you remove threats and send big attackers. Relying on the Wizend Cenn for Kithkin growth may not be the focus anymore since the Balefire Liege can scare most opponents into uncomfortable situations. It is a far cry from the Thistledown Liege since you are rewarded for playing more spells.
If Spectral Procession is in this build it would be hard not to consider Furystoke Giant. Not only will I get to do 3 damage for playing him, I can tap my spectral tokens for damage or removal.
Nobilis of War in the red/white is interesting too. With the liege he’s a 5/6 and my spectral tokens get +2+0. If I decide to keep my Knight of the Meadowgrain in the build and Brion Stoutarm, lifelinking gets even better.
Testing 1-2-3:
In my first test I tried the Balefire in a mildly aggressive red deck. I just had to see if it was as amazing as I imagined.
I played against my buddy’s aggro black/white - Necroskitters, Nightsky Mimics, Edge of the Divinity and Unmake. It was certainly not fun until Balefire hit the table. I had to be smart with removal before the Mimics got out of hand.
I already had some big pumps in the Boggart Ram Gang from the Boartusk Liege, in addition to having good burn spells in my hand. My opponent had to make some interesting decisions as my guys kept coming.
Unmake targeted the Liege and I get to respond while he’s at 12 life. Flame Javelin, Incinerate - game. 6 damage for playing two spells? Hmm, that felt too easy.
So let’s try this again.
Same start for both of us. Early drops for me in the Tattermunge Maniac, followed by Ram-Gang. He has Mimic, and wither creatures with the Deathbringer Liege dropping in soon after.
I add Balefire to the mix and wait. I don’t want to hand over my men to the Necroskitter’s wither ability if blocked. The good news is that I get to play a second Balefire. “Awe yeah” I get to gain 3 life and smack in 3 damage to the dome. Ok, this can be fun. I never imaged playing with two Lieges on the table.
Unmake goes for one of the Balefires after my draw and now I can go off. Tarfire, Tarfire, Incinerate. Done.
Now is the time when I should be singing “Yes, you must play this card” But I can see some hesitancy from players as 10th addition’s Threaten being a large factor along with Unwilling Recruit in red sideboards, which would make it a less than favorable choice in tournament play. The Balefire Liege could be red’s Mirroweave in the way that when it hit’s the table, it allows for a series of powerful blows that most likely ends the game
White may have too many anti red/target answers for it. Faeries love that it is a 5th turn card and Cryptic Command target. Red may have the solutions in the Vexing Shusher and anti blue counterspell in Gutteral Response.
Even though there are doubters I can’t help but feel there are many people wanting to break the Balefire Liege in Standard play.
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