Five With Flores

Concerning:

Rise of the Eldrazi Mythic Rare; Emrakul, the Aeons Torn!

(So this is what you get for fifteen mana).

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

Is this card very good?

Last week we talked about not having a great frame of reference for Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre at 11 mana; the fact is, Ulamog is more-or-less on-par with Darksteel Colossus (which was a tournament Staple as a one-of in Block, Standard, and Extended Tooth and Nail decks, and Vintage Tinker decks). Both Ulamog and Darksteel Colossus cost 11 mana for huge creatures. 11/11 is bigger than 10/10 but whatever… Two hits from either will smite many a mage. Both creatures are indestructible, and both creatures feature a “Gaea’s Blessing” clause.

As I said, Darksteel Colossus was a tournament Staple, and Ulamog is probably the stronger despite being marginally smaller. Ulamog is a Desert Twister; though he can be countered, his Vindicate effect can’t really be. And while Ulamog hasn’t got Trample, Annihilator 4 is a fair trade-off. After all… How much is the opponent going to have lying around to block with?

But what about the card at hand — Ulamog’s co-Eldrazi conspirator; Emrakul, the Aeons Torn?

If we have relatively little framework for 11 mana biggies, what about fifteen-casters?

The second coming of Draco!

In the case of Emrakul, I think the mana cost may be an advantage. Maybe not in the hard-casting business, but don’t forget that we’ve seen hefty cards like this one prominently featured in tournament competitive decks in the past. To wit, Draco in the Erratic Explosion strategy (more on this later).

Given the availability of an Erratic Explosion analogue, I would rate Emrakul, the Aeons Torn at Role Player – High at a minimum.

But in addition to being one of raw-largest creatures we have ever seen, Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is covered in text.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is particularly good against permission spells. I think that that particular wing of Magic: The Gathering may be operating at an all time nadir due to the incentive to playing gigantic Eldrazi plus the presence of Summoning Trap. So while many gigantic creatures will theoretically be vulnerable to Essence Scatter or whatever, you really don’t want to put your opponent in a position where he can miss Summoning Trap into Emrakul, the Aeons Torn.

Both of Emrakul’s first two lines of text are relevant against permission. Obviously it can’t be countered (holy relevance), but the second line subtly overcomes an Overrule as well. Emrakul doesn’t have to resolve or hit the ‘field. It’s enough to cast it in order to Time Walk.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is very effective against permission.

Emrakul has even more text.

Flying – He can block attackers that might otherwise be able to race, viz. Baneslayer Angel.

Protection from Colored Spells – Interestingly other Eldrazi can interact with Emrakul. Five Searing Blazes or whatever, though? Even though they only cost a paltry ten mana in aggregate… Not so much.

Annihilator 6 – Ka-pow.

If there is one thing you can say about Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, it’s that he’s covered in rules text.

Also, you can’t be decked.

Also, you can’t be decked.

Okay, maybe you can be decked, but it’s a lot more difficult with even one Emrakul, the Aeons Torn in your deck than without.

The “Dakrsteel Colossus” Gaea’s Blessing wannabe ability probably helps to control the Eldrazi power level. The concern would be reanimation for mana savings.

Emrakul, the Aeons torn will be plenty good even without Summoning Trap shenanigans.

Snap Judgment Rating – Staple

‘LOVE
MIKE