Welcome back to another exciting edition of First Impressions. This time around we will be taking a look at what Red has to offer us. Will we be Shocked by anything or maybe bored to the point of exhaustion?

Either way, I promise to keep you entertained and itching to click the link at the bottom of the article in an effort of correcting my judgments of the cards.

Ok guys... React to me!

Being a typical Blue mage, you may find it hard to believe that I really have a love for fire. I love setting places on fire. I love Pillaging villages in the morning, sacking Castles in the afternoon, and roasting marshmallows in the evening.

Even though I am a Blue mage first, I have a side of me that craves the old school burn of Red. I am not a fan of paying R for two damage. I need that third point to be satisfied. So each time a new set comes out, I find myself hoping and praying that I get that third point of damage back.

Does Morningtide provide that lusted over point of damage? Let's take a look together and find out...

Boldwyr Heavyweights - 2RR
Creature - Giant Warrior (R)
Trample
When Boldwyr Heavyweights comes into play, each opponent may search his or her library for a creature card and put it into play. Then each player who searched his or her library this way shuffles it.
Even if giants bring nothing else on a journey, they bring attention.
8/8

I thought cheap reprints in different colors were a thing from Planar Chaos. Haven't I seen this before? Also, since they get to search their library, do I really want them to go looking for Akroma and set her on the table on turn four? I am not to sure this is a good creature...

Grade: D

Boldwyr Intimidator - 5RR
Creature - Giant Warrior (U)
Cowards can't block Warriors.
R: Target creature becomes a Coward until end of turn.
2R: Target creature becomes a Warrior until end of turn.
5/5

Cowards. How funny is it to call someone a coward? Oh, the card, it's alright for a card that will only see play in Limited. I can't fathom why someone would attempt to play this guy in anything serious at all.

Grade: D, 0 for 2. Considering there are only 28 Red cards that is a bad start.

Borderland Behemoth - 5RR
Creature - Giant Warrior (R)
Trample
Borderland Behemoth gets +4/+4 for each other Giant you control.
4/4

Theoretically, this guy could be enormous by the time he comes into play. However, I get so aggravated by the high casting costs of theoretically good cards. Why did he have to be seven? If he is alone, he is a 4/4 trample. One buddy makes him an 8/8 trample, which is good, but other Giants are high casting cost creatures. Let's see if they fix that. If they fix it, it's a good grade, if they don't, it’s the other grade.

Grade: B good grade / F bad grade

Brighthearth Banneret - 1R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (C)
Elemental spells and Warrior spells you play cost 1 less to play.
Reinforce 1 - 1R (1R, Discard this card: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature)
1/1

Interesting, Elementals are abundant and spread through the colors, namely Blue. This could be very useful to cast some of their creatures both early and late, Late to conserve mana for counters. I am not certain how useful the Reinforce ability is on this guy, but the primary ability is very good and useful.

Grade: B+

Countryside Crusher - 1RR
Creature - Giant Warrior (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it into your graveyard and repeat this process.
Whenever a land card is put into your graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on Countryside Crusher.
3/3

Holy Crap! That is my official First Impression

Let's see an instant replay of that memorable moment... in slow motion.

Hhoooollllyyyy.....Cccrrraaaaaaaaaapppp!!!!

That replay was brought to you by Buckweiser, this butt kicking is for you!

This guy is a cheap Giant, which lends to the Borderland Behemoth, but also, this guy could be a 5/5 attacker on turn four. (Not to mention that he is a 3/3 for 3, this is always good). Think about it, I flip my top card and it is a land, to the graveyard it goes, the Crusher gets +1/+1. Then use my brand-spanking new Shard Volley, sacrifice a land, kill your blocker, and hit you for five. I think I like it. However, I wish it would be more RED and say, whenever a land goes to a graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this. Don't forget that you can discard a land and he grows too!

Grade: A-

Fire Juggler - 2R
Creature - Goblin Shaman (C)
Whenever Fire Juggler becomes blocked, clash with an opponent. If you win, Fire Juggler deals 4 damage to each creature blocking it.
2/2

Uhh... I'm not feeling it. It is a pricey Goblin, it can kill a blocker before combat damage, and perhaps they will skip the block entirely, and just take two damage. Nah, I'm not feeling it.

Grade: C

Hostile Realm - 2R
Enchantment - Aura (C)
Enchant land.
Enchanted land has "T: Target creature can't block this turn."

It feels very Red, I'll give them that. I just don't think it will ever be played. Someone might like it in Limited, as it does grant a bit of situational evasion, but it really is a wasted card slot in any other format.

Grade: F

Kindled Fury - R
Instant (C)
Target creature get +1/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

Big deal, I never liked these cards even when this was a White card. I am not going to do the research, but I am willing to bet that there has been a White instant that did this. If you made this a cantrip, then maybe, but... seriously, would you play this?

Editor's Note: I'll do the research, and there are two white cards.  Look to your right. ~Streetz~

Grade: F

Lightning Crafter - 3R
Creature - Goblin Shaman (R)
Champion a Goblin or Shaman (When this comes into play, sacrifice it unless you remove another Goblin or Shaman you control from the game. When this leaves play, that card returns to play.)
T: Lightning Crafter deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
3/3

What? Seriously? You are giving me a Lightning Bolt on a stick? Where... where is the other foot? I am waiting for it to fall. This can't be real. All I have to do is have a Goblin in play by turn four and I can play this guy. THANKS!

Grade: A!

Lunk Errant - 5R
Creature - Giant Warrior (C)
Whenever Lunk Errant attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.
4/4

Oh boy, here we go. Now I get an expensive Giant that wants to be alone. I get a 5/5 attacker with trample for six. Eh...

Grade: C

Mudbutton Clanger - R
Creature - Goblin Warrior (C)
Kinship - At the beginning of your upkeep, you may look at the top card of your library. If it shares a creature type with Mudbutton Clanger, you may reveal it. If you do, Mudbutton Clanger gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
1/1

At least I get to peek at my draws from turn two on until he dies. The possibility of him being a 2/2 for R is pretty good. Considering that he is a Goblin, I'd say that he is a good creature.

Grade: A

Pyroclast Consul - 3RR
Creature - Elemental Shaman (U)
Kinship - At the beginning of your upkeep, you may look at the top card of your library. If it shares a creature type with Pyroclast Consul, you may reveal it. If you do, Pyroclast Consul deals 2 damage to each creature.
3/3

Ohhh, Elemental or Shaman powered Pyroclasm. Where have you been all my life?

Grade: A

Rage Forger - 2R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (U)
When Rage Forger comes into play, put a +1/+1 counter on each other Shaman creature you control.
Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it attacks, you may have that creature deal 1 damage to target player.
2/2

Nice name... good ability... ow, and it pinks the opponent's eye each time the guys attack. I could learn to like this one.

Grade: B

Release the Ants - 1R
Instant (U)
Release the Ants deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Clash with an opponent. If you win, return Release the Ants to its owner's hand.

Umm... Only one damage for two? Shock is better than that. Stupid Ants!

Grade: C

Rivals' Duel - 3R
Sorcery (U)
Choose two target creatures that share no creature types. Each of those creatures deals damage equal to its power to the other.

I never liked the Arena abilities, unless it was Contested Cliffs and I knew my creatures were bigger. It is alright I suppose in Limited, but at sorcery speed?

Grade: D

Roar of the Crowd - 3R
Sorcery (C)
Choose a creature type. Roar of the Crowd deals damage to target creature or player equal to the number of permanents of that type you control.

Reminds me of Mob Justice, yet another card that was rarely used.

Grade: F

Seething Pathblazer - 2R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (C)
Sacrifice an Elemental: Seething Pathblazer gets +2/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.
2/2

Do I have to do a review of every card? Even this one?

Grade: F

Sensation Gorger - 1RR
Creature - Goblin Shaman (R)
Kinship - At the beginning of your upkeep, you may look at the top card of your library. If it shares a creature type with Sensation Gorger you may reveal it. If you do, each player discards his or her hand and draws four cards.
"More. More. MORE!!"
2/2

*chokes on the freshly sipped Pepsi* What?!

Grade: A

Shard Volley - R
Instant (C)
As an additional cost to play Shard Volley, sacrifice a land.
Shard Volley deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
"Let the mountain's teeth pierce our oppressors"

There once was this card called Fireblast. It was released and everyone pointed and laughed. "It costs six to do four!" They chanted. Why would I want to sacrifice two Mountains to do four damage?" They sneered.

Then Sligh got a hold of the card, killed them all on turn four and Fireblast had the last laugh.

Moral of the story, don't point and laugh at new cards that don't make a lot of sense in the beginning, or you will die.

Grade: A

Shared Animosity - 2R
Enchantment (R)
Whenever a creature you control attacks, it gets +1/+0 until the end of turn for each other attacking creature that shares a creature type with it.

Wow... reminds me that stupid Goblin Piledriver. Thank God they didn't find him lurking in Time Spiral. He used to pound people too fast with his pump-ability and protection from Blue...

What...? This car? What about a car? OH! CARD. Oh, yes, I can see this card showing up out of nowhere and suddenly those three 1/1 Goblins that you expected to attack you for three are attacking at a 3/1 and giving you nine damage that you didn't expect.

Grade: A, It is Red's Crusade!

Spitebellows - 5R
Creature - Elemental (U)
When Spitebellows leaves play, it deals 6 damage to target creature.
Evoke 1RR (You may play this spell for its evoke cost. If you do, it's sacrificed when it comes into play.)
6/1

Do you think that when a Red card is designed, it is offended when it can only do damage to a creature? With all the really good cards doing damage to players and creatures, I think that when the card comes hot from the presses and joins the ranks of all the other Red cards, they sit around and pass judgment on the other cards like this one. "Look at him! He can only hurt a dumb creature. He is not very good!" It is like being bullied at school over wearing glasses. Like I have a choice in the matter, I can't see the teacher or the board.

Grade: D, I can't help it that I am over costed and can only hit a creature. I also can't help it if I must injure one of my own buddies if I die!

Stingmoogie - 3R
Creature - Elemental (C)
Stingmoogie comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it.
3R, Remove a +1/+1 counter from Stingmoogie: Destroy target artifact or land.
0/0

Stingmoogie! This set has some funny names doesn't it? I think I like this guy against control. Not so much against Black and Red, but Blue doesn't have much they can do besides counter him or bounce and reset his counters. Speaking of which, why didn't you make this creature back when we had Astral Slide. I wouldn't have abused him, I promise... We do still have Momentary Blink...

Grade: B+, Direct Damage sucks sometimes.

Stomping Slabs - 2R
Sorcery (U)
Reveal the top seven cards of your library, then put those cards on the bottom of your library in any order. If a card named Stomping Slabs was revealed this way, Stomping Slabs deals 7 damage to target creature or player.

I think this is the Anti-Shard Volley. While the regular guy can easily overlook why Shard Valley is good, those same people will probably sit and waste time trying to figure out how to abuse this card. Pump your breaks fellas. Move along, there is nothing to see here. Spend those extra hours you will be using thinking about this card and combos on more important things. Things like: School, Work, Family, etc.

Grade: D

Sunflare Shaman - 1R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (C)
1R, T: Sunflare Shaman deals X damage to target creature or player and X damage to itself, where X is the number of Elemental cards in your graveyard.
2/1

I'll never understand why these creatures that hit themselves always have to kill themselves by default. What... was Sparksmith a bad creature? Why did he have to have one toughness? Why not two toughness, and then he could rule the board as long as there is only one Elemental in the grave, but then when a second reaches there, he gets scared and stops using the ability.

Grade: F

Taurean Mauler - 2R
Creature - Shapeshifter (R)
Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times)
Whenever an opponent plays a spell, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Taurean Mauler.
The power of a waterfall. The fury of an avalanche. The intellect of a gale-force wind.
2/2

Wow again. Another strong creature, and finally one deserving of a rare slot. I think he could have been a 2/2 for R1 to make his a really good creature, but I will take what watered down good cards I can get these days. Blue mage does not want to see a Mauler walking around on the table.

Grade: A

Titan's Revenge - XRR
Sorcery (R)
Titan's Revenge deals X damage to target creature or player. Clash with an opponent. If you win, return Titan’s Revenge to its owner's hand.

Screw you Ants. If I am going to play the clash game, I want a Titan on my side! Fireball you... again!

Grade: A

Vengeful Firebrand - 3R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (R)
Vengeful Firebrand has haste as long as a Warrior card is in your graveyard.
R: Vengeful Firebrand gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
5/2

Generously bumped up to a five power. I like it believe it or not. He doesn't get killed by a bad Goblin, and he is scary enough to be respected. Don't forget the possible haste. He could jump out of your hand and smack someone for seven if they are not careful. I think I have found a friend.

Grade: B

War-Spike Changeling - 3R
Creature - Shapeshifter (C)
Changeling
R: War-Spike Changeling gains first strike until end of turn.
3/3

I don't have anything for this guy. He feels very vanilla, as I don't see Changeling as an ability, it just piggy-backs on other abilities. Just an 'eh' creature.

Grade: C

After watching American Idol last night, I am reminded of something that Simon told a few of the try-outs: "Your song was very forgettable". There are so many cards in this chunk of Morningtide that are very forgettable. I don't even remember half the names of the creatures and I just reviewed them. I remember Shard Volley, Titan's Revenge, Moogie! and Lightning Crafter. That is not a good sign of a good set. I am sure there are other good cards in Red, but without going back through and getting the, "Oh yea!" factor, I would not ever remember them.

I'd say Red is still lacking that third point of damage I was looking for. Lighting Crafter and Shard Volley give me three points, but I have to bend over backwards to get it. I don't usually like bending over backwards, and these cards do not inspire me to do so.

I have a question for you. How much of an impact would these cards have on your chosen format of playing? Meet me in the forum and let's talk about it.

-cpn

You can discuss this article in the MDV forums here.
Find other articles by this author here.
Find other articles from this series here.

[ Back ] [ Home ] [ Up ] [ Next ]

Articles Spotlights from 2008:
How to Win with Milling: A Guide to a Slow Painful Death
Memories of an Old Magic Player 10: The Outsiders Journal #3.
The Apprentice Magician, Part Three.
Class-Wars Deckbuilding Contest Results!
Tribal Coffee: The Smaller Tribes.
[Mini-Article] Controlling the Game: Without Blue.
Raiding the Dollar Bins: Return of the Vault Ninja.
A Fresh Perspective: Stasis - Part One.
More Evil Than Evil.
Memories of a Jarhead.