blah Blah BLAH Phyrexian Crusader

Concerning:

Phyrexian Crusader :: Phyrexian Crusader? :: Um… that’s about it

This is a follow up  from the Mirran Crusader post earlier this week. If you have seen that card, you’ve probably also seen the bad guy opposite number, Phyrexian Crusader:

Phyrexian Crusader

What can we say about this cat Zombie Knight?

Aesthetics:

Just as with Mirran Crusader, Phyrexian Crusader seems very close to a strict upgrade to onetime staple Paladin en-Vec. It is not a true strict upgrade because Paladin en-Vec is a different color (it would be like comparing Fresh Volunteers with Wild Mongrel or something)… But for practical purposes, Phyrexian Crusader is just better.

They have very parallel if not identical mana costs (1BB to the original’s 1WW), and both have the same “Protection from Lightning Bolt ” to go along with “Protection from Doom Blade Guy” … But in addition to first strike, Phyrexian Crusader also dodges Oust and has Infect.

Infect is neither better nor worse than not-Infect in the abstract, but for the most part creatures with Infect have been smaller than regular creatures for the same cost. It’s really not better. Wither is better, but Infect is just different. While Infect kind of deals double damage to players, it can be less effective against creatures. For example take Infect creature Cystbearer. Against a player it is kind of a 4/3 but it doesn’t even really trade with a comparably costed Silt Crawler (which you would never play in Standard). Keep in mind in the heads up race, Mirran Crusader also does double damage 🙂

My main concern about the size (specifically power) of Infect creatures is that they are much less effective — given comparable costs — against Planeswalkers. Mirran Crusader will whack the average Jace, the Mind Sculptor with one swing; not so Phyrexian Crusader.

… Just something to think about when evaluating the abilities on a creature like this one.

That said, as was pointed out by Propagandist in the previous blog post comments, Phyrexian Crusader is basically un-killable. Not only does this creature dodge all the same removal as Paladin en-Vec did (and make for more practical protection from Journey to Nowhere than Mirran Crusader’s “Protection from Aspect of Wolf (or whatever)” Phyrexian Crusader might be a fine combattler. Context will determine much of this as the format unfolds, but I can see him first striking down the power of larger animals, and walking away even when he doesn’t win.

Where Can I See This Fitting In?

Right now I would guess Phyrexian Crusader will be limited to an Infect linear deck. The problem with this creature relative to Mirran Crusader is that he doesn’t add much to “regular” strategies. I mean you can throw him in next to Black Knight and the opponent will just let Phyrexian Crusader hit four times before thinking about dealing with the new guy. The damage [plus Poison Counters] just don’t add up. Maybe he will get some good teammates, or maybe he will make for some kind of a stop sign / sideboard switcheroo (say holding back an entire White army or buying 100 turns against a Red Deck), but I don’t see the same potentially widespread adoption that the opposite number might have.

Even on the Infect team he isn’t the All-Star, but it is certainly the case that he helps upgrade the team (and with some help, potentially to Constructed legitimacy) by providing a much more legitimate option at a lower point in the curve.

Snap Judgment Rating: Role Player

LOVE
MIKE

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3 comments ↓

#1 MTGBattlefield on 12.17.10 at 4:50 pm

blah Blah BLAH Phyrexian Crusader…

Your story has been summoned to the battlefield – Trackback from MTGBattlefield…

#2 Owen Zimagic on 12.23.10 at 3:30 am

Musing: Pro-White, Red & Doom Blade would be vastly improved by pro-Jace & Green with the addition of a Sword of B&M. What fights a 4/4 Pro 4-coloured immunity to Doom Blade that kills in 2.5 swings? Rachet Bomb, Lux Cannon, DoJ & Magnet?

#3 Propagandist on 01.03.11 at 8:16 am

Just realized that both of these wreck Vengevines in combat, but only the white one survives it. Might be another factor to consider.

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