Garruk Mended
Custom Cards forum
Posted on Feb. 18, 2015, 12:22 p.m. by buildingadeck
I posted this card recently but with the thought of a new set in mind. For now, I want specific feedback on it. Would it be overpowered in formats aside from standard (I assume that if it were printed in standard, the standard shell would be powerful enough to house it.
This is a link to the card: Link
Nigeltastic says... #3
Seems like somewhat strange design for garruk to make 1/1 spirit tokens, he's basically always been a beast dude, and I don't know that he would go gw. Power level wise I think it might be a little nutty for standard and maybe even modern, you've combined a (more) repeatable Lingering Souls with Utter End, for the cost of Utter End but in gw colors. I could be wrong, but he seems too strong and of weird flavor.
February 18, 2015 12:57 p.m.
CommanderOfBolas says... #5
I think the ultimate is weak, but only because the other 2 abilities are super strong. Maybe it would be better as a -6 and the plus 1 should probably only make 1 token. So maybe make a 2/2 spirit or something like that
February 18, 2015 1:08 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #6
The reason for him being GW is that he is healed from his curse by an angel. It's part of the storyline for the set I'm imagining.
I originally had him producing a 2/2 angel token, but people didn't like that. Do you think a 2/2 spirit token would be too out of the ordinary since they're usually 1/1s?
His second ability is powerful, I agree. I wanted to keep the ability to remove both PWs and creatures from his predator days, but not destroy, since that's not a very white mechanic.
I like the ultimate at -6. I agree with that.
February 18, 2015 1:20 p.m.
FatherLiir says... #7
I could see like Beast Spirit Tokens. How often have we had that?
February 18, 2015 1:23 p.m.
I believe that the Wolf token from innistrad was ghostly looking. Could be a spirit wolf.
February 18, 2015 2:13 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #9
Maybe Spirit Beasts or Wolf tokens? Also, if he's "mended," wouldn't that mean he's jusr back to 
as normal? I'm not sure about his abilities...they almost seem mono-white in both function and flavor.
Whoever said this is weak though...I disagree. It's not broken, but a 4-drop walker who's +1 is to make two tokens with flying, is decent. He can also remove basically anything. And his ult is kind of like Elspeth, Sun's Champion in that it's game-ending if there are creatures on board. That said, I don't really think this flavor is quite suited to Garruk, who would never go white. Ever.
February 18, 2015 2:52 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #10
Spirit wolf could definitely work. It should be a GW wolf with PT 2/2, yes? Obviously, no flying.
February 18, 2015 2:53 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #11
JakeHarlow, I was thinking that because of being healed by angels, the angels themselves would have influence on him as they help restore him to health. However, I can see your point. I really like him as a Selesnya walker, but his abilities are very white influenced. Perhaps a different ultimate would fix that, since token generation isn't too white, and the -3 is just his "clean" version of his -3 in Garruk, Apex Predator form.
February 18, 2015 2:57 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #12
I can see that. But Garruk himself wouldn't want to support white, since he's more about freedom of the hunt and unmolested nature, etc. If he's under angelic influence, though, I suppose you might have a decent case. I don't see Garruk being 
voluntarily. Maybe he made a deal with some Angels in returns for being cleansed of the Veil Curse? Kind of like a reverse Liliana, where he's indebted to Angels (and she to Demons, kind of a good parallel since the two are archenemies anyway).
If you want to consider just , though...Token generation is fine, a 2/2 Wolf Spirit seems perfect for a +1. For his -2 (I think -3 is a bit much but it's up to you), how about "Destroy target noncreature permanent?" -2 might be a bit broken, since he's basically a "kill 2 lands card" if he starts at 4 loyalty. Maybe bump him down to 3? And his ult, -5 or -6, could be something that's anti-curse related but also very strong, like, "You get an emblem with "Creatures you control get +3/+3 and permanents you control have hexproof."
His -2 could also easily be a Beast Within-type flavor (kill anything but there's a drawback), like "Destroy target permanent. Its controller may search his or her library for a land card and put in onto the battlefield (tapped?). If they do they shuffle their library."
Idk. Just some thoughts.
February 18, 2015 3:10 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #13
I like the plot-line of the first part, especially since I do want to keep the white. I do like your suggestions for making him mono-G, though.
For a -2, I think that the Beast Within idea could work feasibly well. +3/+3 seems like a lot if it's a -6 (assuming I can keep him at 4 with the update to the -2).
For his minus 2, I'm thinking "Destroy target permanent. Its controller may search his or her library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield."
Additional thoughts?
February 18, 2015 3:56 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #14
I think that's good. If you want to keep him at 4 starting loyalty, I'd suggest that his ult should give your creatures +2/+2. That's balanced. Elspeth has to wait until 7 to give her team plus +2/+2, but that's a turn later since she's making three tokens at a time to balance it out. Also, her stuff gets flying. I think a -6 for a global +2/+2 and hexproof is strong but fair.
February 18, 2015 4:18 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #15
And don't forget that the minus 2 would also cause the controller of the destroyed permanent to shuffle their library after the basic land tutor. :)
February 18, 2015 4:19 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #16
Elspeth, Sun's Champion is also a 6-mana card, though. Is it still balanced to have +2/+2 and global hexproof?
February 18, 2015 4:21 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #17
Ah, true. I just think +1/+1 isn't enough. Ultimates should get you significantly closer to winning the game. +2/+2 I think I perfectly reasonable. They don't get flying. If you plus' the whole way to 6, you end up with 2 4/4 wolf spirit tokens. That isn't really that broken.
February 18, 2015 5:22 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #18
Ah, I see. That makes sense to me. I will update the card and repost it soon. I am going to make it say "Destroy target permanent. Its controller searches his/her library for a basic land card, plays it, then shuffles his/her library." I had to write 'plays' as opposed to 'puts it onto the battlefield' because the card generator I'm using only allows 130 characters, including spaces.
February 18, 2015 7:49 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #19
I flubbed it. Didn't put Spirit in the token part. NOW, it's right. The New New Version
February 18, 2015 7:54 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #20
GAHNow I forgot to put wolf on it. LolI'm not doing it again right now. Just know that it is a WOLF SPIRIT TOKEN... :P Facepalm
February 18, 2015 7:56 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #22
Oh, you put the wolf token ability as a zero. It should be +1, otherwise...how can he ult? lol
February 18, 2015 9:24 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #23
Haha! Oops. Mistakes abound. I'm getting too sleepy. Lol
February 18, 2015 9:24 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #24
After thinking about it, his -6 giving permanents hexproof rather than just creatures seems kinda broken. I think giving creatures hexproof would be enough, right?
February 19, 2015 12:22 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #25
Nah, because flavor-wise, he'd want to protect himself from further curses, too. He wants to prevent even the very land from corruption. I mean, it's definitely a win condition, but I still think it's on par with other Planeswalkers' Ultimates. I mean, look at Ajani Vengeant. I think "all permanents" makes this Garruk more playable and is in-step with the flavor you want.
February 19, 2015 2:46 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #26
True, but his ultimate takes two more turns to achieve. I just don't people to feel like there's nothing you can do against it. In commander, it's different because there are so many sweepers, but in modern or a 60-card, two player game, it seems strong.
February 19, 2015 2:53 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #27
Eh, it's a minor distinction in my opinion. Often the only answers to hexproof decks (such as last Standard season's Aura hexproof 
archetype) are sweepers or force-sacrifice effects anyway.
The difference between creatures and all permanents is minor in terms of most constructed matchups. What would actually be busted is if the ultimate also gave you, the player, hexproof. This would hose burn, all force sacrifice effects, discard, etc. I think leaving it as permanents is fine, since it gives the card better flavor and playability in other formats. Besides, it takes 3 turns to achieve the -6, and you have to get rid of Garruk. So, while it's very powerful, it is fair. However, these are simply my own thoughts, and since you're the author here and it's your project, you should absolutely do what you consider to be best.
February 19, 2015 4:25 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #28
Ah, you are right, good sir. I guess I was worried about how cards like Ghost Quarter would suffer in an EDH deck, or how sideboards utilizing Naturalize or some other enchantment removal would be deemed useless if Garruk ults. I am not meaning to argue at all with you, so I apologize if I am giving off a negative vibe. I just want this card to be as exact and precise as possible.
February 19, 2015 5:05 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #29
Oh, you're not coming off negative at all. You care about your creation. :) To be honest, there are many ways to deal with this Garruk before he ults. Nonland permanent hatred, etc., can get this guy for three whole turns. Plus, he only makes one token, so he's reasonably vulnerable to attack. I think his -6 is pretty fair, considering stuff like Venser, the Sojourner's ult exist.
February 19, 2015 5:36 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #30
Haha! Wow, I had forgotten about that. Ouch. XD Okay, hexproof permanents it is. Venser has convinced me.
On a side note, I'm glad that my care was signalling in the right way.
February 19, 2015 5:43 p.m.
buildingadeck says... #32
Success! That's my whole purpose. I'm working on an Allied color set. I'll tag you when I post the whole thing. It'll be months from now, but I have about 9 cards I feel pretty confident about.
February 20, 2015 6:30 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #33
Sounds good! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
filledelanuit says... #2
Here is the actual image.
February 18, 2015 12:38 p.m.