Why Does Enlist Have that Restriction?
General forum
Posted on April 22, 2025, 10:09 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
I think that enlist is a very interesting mechanic, as it is, in some ways, a fixed version of banding, but I find myself wondering why it needs to have the "without summoning sickness" clause, since I cannot see any good reason for it to have the clause; surely, the ability would not be too powerful if it did not have that restriction?
What does everyone else say, about this subject? Why does enlist have the "without summoning sickness" clause? I certainly am interested to hear your feedback, about this.
RiotRunner789 says... #3
I would point out that enlist only increases power. So for the scenario above, a 5/2 would be swinging on turn 3.
April 23, 2025 6:22 a.m.
FormOverFunction says... #4
I also think that the flavor of the mechanic makes more sense, with the “helping” creature being capable of the combat that it is aiding. I’m still holding out hope for an eventual full return of banding.
April 25, 2025 7:02 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #5
Caerwyn, I suppose that that makes sense, although I feel that an additional 3 mana is a worthwhile price for an increase of 3 power.
April 27, 2025 4:19 p.m.
It is not an additional three mana though - it is three mana you were going to use anyway to play a creature that normally would provide limited immediate value, and suddenly has value you otherwise would not receive unlocked due to a keyword on a different creature and no additional effort.
Take your “additional 3 mana deserves an increase of 3 power” argument to its logical extreme - you are essentially arguing summoning sickness should go away entirely. After all, you are paying three mana for the creature, and thus, under your theory, you should get three power right away.
April 27, 2025 9:11 p.m. Edited.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
Caerwyn, I see, and now that makes sense, so I can begrudgingly agree that enlist having that restriction does help with balancing it, and preventing it from being too powerful
Caerwyn says... #2
It would make Enlist too powerful on the curve. Imagine playing a Guardian of New Benalia, a 2/2 for 2. Without Enlist, on turn 3, a 2/2 would be swinging for 2 damage.
Now, let us imagine you drop a 3/3 for 3 on your next turn. Suddenly, that 2/2 for 2 is swinging as a 5/5 for 2, without requiring any other enablers (like haste). That is a massive increase in damage already built into the 2/2 - normally an increase like that would require additional investment beyond the card itself.
April 23, 2025 12:46 a.m.