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Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum

Posted on Dec. 25, 2013, 12:06 a.m. by gufymike

Kiora is announced

strateupjee says... #2

starting loyalty 2 for 4 mana? Ouch. And her +1 isn't even that good...

December 25, 2013 12:11 a.m.

DaggerV says... #3

How is her +1 not that good? It's ammo for turbofog decks that fell out of favor. Honestly I think it's pretty good, and hella flavorful.

December 25, 2013 12:16 a.m.

mmdw34 says... #4

her -5 is insane idk what your talking about, I like her I dont like playing simic or BUG but shes really cool

December 25, 2013 12:16 a.m.

EvenDryke says... #5

Wizards sure does love unplayable planeswalkers.

I mean... Maybe in a super janky EDH deck.

December 25, 2013 12:16 a.m.

Brett05 says... #6

Wow, I really hope that's real

December 25, 2013 12:19 a.m.

GoldGhost012 says... #7

So... Modern Doubling Season decks got pretty happy.

Iffy on Standard play though, even though I can see her hovering around $15 and lots of G-G/U decks trying to break her.

December 25, 2013 12:22 a.m.

Darkness1835 says... #8

YES. Turbofog yet lives.

December 25, 2013 12:22 a.m.

strateupjee says... #9

All I'm saying is there is no deck in the meta that is even slightly affected by turning off one creature per turn, it is cool and flavorful, but not ground shattering in the slightest

December 25, 2013 12:26 a.m.

GoldGhost012 says... #10

Brett05, it came from an official Wizard's site. It's legit.

December 25, 2013 12:28 a.m.

HarbingerJK says... #11

excuse my language but fuck yes! that's what I'm talkin' about!

December 25, 2013 12:29 a.m.

Ohthenoises says... #12

Two words for all you haters. Maze's End .

Can you imagine T4 with her, dropping a land, then having G open to fog?

Maze's End everywhere folks.

December 25, 2013 12:32 a.m.

Osang says... #13

I don't think it's unplayable in a way; it does give itself protection to reach that ultimate bar the threat of Hero's Downfall and such. Though 3 CMC would've been a better fit in my opinion.

It is, however, nice to finally see a walker in Simic colors.

December 25, 2013 12:34 a.m.

the3rdH0kage says... #14

Looks like it's going to be a pretty foil.

I probs won't play her, but I don't like Blue.....so yeah, anyway not that good, but not terrible either, her and Prophet of Kruphix are going to be besties.

December 25, 2013 12:37 a.m.

DaggerV says... #15

Well, I wish they made it differently, but I think it's a good card. Not over-powered, but not weak either. It is in colors that don't get played often, which probably hurts it, and I doubt it'll see any play outside standard save for Bant Turbofog. Though with aggro becoming ever more popular (so much for slowing format down eh?) I doubt people will run it with it's 3 loyalty after an activation. However, nullifying one attack each turn in what is likely to be a control heavy deck is no laughing matter, and I may try it out in modern bug. It's -1 is pretty useful too, setting you up for six lands on turn five while drawing you a card is a strong possibility. I rarely rate ultimates as a whole due to rarity of activation, and focus more on first two ability, but 9/9s are pretty beefy, and could serve to be a turbofog's endgame. Outside that, it's okay, and people will try and abuse it, making it highly sought after before it fades away. Definitely want a foil of that bitch though.

December 25, 2013 12:37 a.m.

abenz419 says... #16

the first thing I think of when I see her +1 ability is something against mono black. I realize they still have Hero's Downfall but not having to sac a creature to the demon every turn can be real beneficial, and in a simic control running counters and card draw, you should be able to keep your hand stocked enough to counter that downfall when it comes. Throw in Prophet of Kruphix and you never have to worry about holding back mana either. It would take some tweaking and testing but I think simic control could be a thing, even though I'd hate to suggest the appearance of another strong control deck. Even a bant control to give you access to a lot of the same stuff that you see in esper control. I'm not guaranteeing that it becomes huge, but it's definitely a possiblitly. Especially if you can figure out a way to protect her and use her ultimate.

December 25, 2013 12:38 a.m.

the3rdH0kage says... #17

Nevermind, forgot exactly what Prophet did. I feel dumb.

December 25, 2013 12:39 a.m.

I... I love this...

December 25, 2013 12:45 a.m.

Wabbbit says... #19

Ehhh, I doubt she will see play. Fun card nonetheless.

December 25, 2013 12:46 a.m.

GoldGhost012 says... #20

I can see her seeing play in EDH. Especially, again, in a Doubling Season deck. Probably a Superfriends or Proliferate build.

Yes please, I will pay $50 for a foil copy.

December 25, 2013 12:48 a.m.

mmdw34 says... #21

All you haters said the same thing about Nightveil Specter or chandra pyromancer when he was a dollar rare and she first came out then when someone found some kind of use for them they spiked. All im saying is before you call her a useless planeswalker better not rage quit when she gets good and you lose to her.

December 25, 2013 12:56 a.m.

DaggerV says... #22

Devotion made a lot of junk rares that while good, would rarely see play, useful. I imagine the next set will do the same thing.

December 25, 2013 12:59 a.m.

Nigeltastic says... #23

Her +1 blanks gods of all sorts, even as enchantments, and can handle big threats or flyers you can't control like Nightveil Specter or Desecration Demon or Polukranos, World Eater , while her -1 is pretty crazy and ramps you up while drawing you cards (perfect for U/G imo). Her ultimate is insane if you get up to it, which isn't that unreasonable due to it being -5. I think she will see play, it will just take the correct deck to make her work.

December 25, 2013 1:06 a.m.

ShadowLand says... #24

Shite! That is really going to suck, yet another deck those of us who like to play creature decks will have to sit back and watch them play with their own cards while nothing you do is relevant.

December 25, 2013 1:11 a.m.

acbooster says... #25

I already know I need a playset or 5.

December 25, 2013 1:13 a.m.

notamardybum says... #26

There are so many cards yet to be released. There's no way you can say she's useless. Also most anticipated purphorous as the go to god, and it's sucking a big one now I'm excited to see what else is to be released

December 25, 2013 2 a.m.

Whats with the complaints... Merry Christmas

December 25, 2013 2:38 a.m.

abenz419 says... #28

her +1 makes Purphoros, God of the Forge 's static ability useless and makes it so an devotion activated purph can't attack you.

December 25, 2013 2:44 a.m.

the reason her +1 isn't as good as it could be is because of her ult, turn 7 9/9 kraken, with another kraken each turn, my simic midrange deck was just reborn

December 25, 2013 3:38 a.m.

Osang says... #30

I see Prime Speaker Bant receiving quite a good boost in popularity as well. Maybe the new Esper or one more U/W/X control variant?

December 25, 2013 3:42 a.m.

The Doctor says... #31

I'd say it was playable if it was a three drop, or had 3 starting loyalty.

December 25, 2013 4:04 a.m.

abenz419 says... #32

i'd say it's unplayable if I knew the rest of the cards in this block and tested it

December 25, 2013 4:09 a.m.

It is/can be a three drop. Its green, Elvish Mystic ? Sylvan Caryatid ?

December 25, 2013 4:21 a.m.

plus as an anime fan, legends of kiora

December 25, 2013 4:34 a.m.

KrosanTusker says... #35

Personally, I think it's cool. Not game-breaking by any stretch of the imagination, maybe not even playable, but we finally got our simic 'walker. I'm happy.

December 25, 2013 4:52 a.m.

cschiller says... #36

Well, now all we need is some sweet art on that 9/9 Kraken token.

In all seriousness, this card is good. +1 Turbofog ability appeals to one of the craziest standard decks and -1 also works in Maze's End. I just want to pump her up for my Kraken token though, which is also good in TurboFog. This is the turbofog p/w, and she's good because she needs to be dealt with. If you just keep ticking her up uncontested, she will win you the game. She also protects herself, making her harder to deal with, but at the same time 2 loyalty is unacceptable.

December 25, 2013 5:40 a.m.

Dallie says... #37

I would play a copy or two in my That's Fog-ing annoying deck. But no more. I'm not sure whether I prefer her over Tamiyo, the Moon Sage .

December 25, 2013 6:07 a.m.

sylvannos says... #38

What cschiller said. She's perfect for Maze's End and provides the deck with a planeswalker. However, that will probably be her full extent.

Wouldn't be surprised if she was $40 for a foil on release (IIRC Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded was obscenely high on release, despite being practically unplayable). After that, she'll drop lower than Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver .

December 25, 2013 6:16 a.m.

Nuggettt says... #39

I never thought I'd see the day.

Also, I think she should start atleast at 3 loyalty. +1 is great, -2 needs to be able to get some value like a Jace, Architect of Thought before he gets mowed over. She doesn't compensate for that 2 loyalty other than her ult, and planeswalkers never ult (especially with Hero's Downfall s flying around)

This needs a super janky deck to work in any format, Maze's End perhaps?

December 25, 2013 8:06 a.m.

Nuggettt says... #40

Oops. -1 and not a -2. Whatever, still needs 3 loyalty

December 25, 2013 8:10 a.m.

I have been waiting for a Simic walker! And very flavorful. I want!

December 25, 2013 8:31 a.m.

golffore297 says... #42

Putting all removal aside, I think that she could see some play if people actually look at what Simic cards can do. Considering Kiora doesn't come down until turn 3 at the earliest, there are plenty of Simic cards that have the ability to become big enough to protect her until she can pop her ultimate. Experiment One into Gyre Sage into Elusive Krasis into Kiora here is something that I don't see as terrible. And then if you get that ultimate and have say, a Master Biomancer on the field, along with either Nylea, God of the Hunt or Thassa, God of the Sea , and those Krakens become deadly fast.

There is also the Simicontrol build that can stall the board until you start to get the Krakens out. While I don't think she will see much play, there are ways to use her in a way that she could be quite destructive. I'm going to wait until we get to see the U/G God and see what the synergy is like before making an exact judgement, but I think U/G could get very strong soon.

December 25, 2013 8:43 a.m.

JWiley129 says... #43

I think that kiora had finally convinced me to put Doubling Season into my Simic EDH deck. While you can't ult her work one in play when she's cast, she can cause some crazy shenanigans in those decks. Plus, Simic or Bant tokens anyone?

December 25, 2013 10:04 a.m.

Moved to the new Spoilers and Rumors forum.

December 25, 2013 10:24 a.m.

infinitemana says... #45

I cant decide whether to do Bant Turbofog or BUG Superfriends...

December 25, 2013 10:58 a.m.

megawurmple says... #46

I could see this seeing play in BUG/Bant control in Standard. She hoses some of the biggest threats, she gets card advantage and ramp, and if you get her ultimate going, good game. In a control build, it's easy enough to protect her until the Krakens hit the table, and once they do, there's not much the opponent can do to stop it.

December 25, 2013 4:59 p.m.

abenz419 says... #47

@TitansFTW that's what I've been saying. She can't just be thrown into any deck that has G/U, but a control deck wouldn't be out of the question. But try telling that to all the naysayers, they've already determined that she just looks cool and would be impossible to use in a competitive build, without putting any actual thought into it or knowing what else is gonna be in the next set to make the deck even stronger. There's no guarantee those decks become the next Mono Black or Mono Blue of standard, but they definitely aren't out of the realm of a competitive possibility.

December 25, 2013 5:12 p.m.

beakedbard says... #48

Hmmm very intriguing i wonder if anything will be spoiled to work with her abilities not that there isn't anything at the moment. On a first glace she seems subpar but her second ability is very useful and she provides herself with some small protection. The final ability is nice but it isn't game shattering a 9/9 creature is easily dealt with. Still she could be quite amusing in some control builds. I'm going to look a bit into what builds could work well with her but still she is a bit quite different to any planeswalker I've seen before.

December 25, 2013 5:14 p.m.

megawurmple says... #49

beakedbard It's not just one 9/9 creature, it's one 9/9 creature every turn, including the turn you ultimate. In a control build where beefy creatures are scarce, a 9/9 every turn is an easy game winner.

December 25, 2013 7:34 p.m.

I misread her +1 as permanent(s) :( Now she is nowhere near as good as I thought she was. I can see her being used and abused though

December 25, 2013 8:04 p.m.

This discussion has been closed