[fortran_man@hotmail.com]

Subject: Type II - Pentavus

Now then, I want to take a look at Pentavus, big brother to Thopter Squadron. Being 7 mana's not too good for competitive play, but hopefully these ideas can help change that:

Blinkmoth Urn + Pentavus:

Blinkmoth Urn 5
Artifact
As long as it's untapped, each player adds colorless mana equal to the number of artifacts they control at the beginning of their precombat main phase.

Alright then, this artifact normally sucks, and yes, even I agree to that. 5 casting stuff's not going to be out in time to help really. This card's main focus is to power artifact decks, and if your opponent isn't playing one, then it'll mean burn for him at the end if he can't dump it. Fortunately for you, you can with Pentavus.

Use the extra mana you gain each turn to create and destroy the Pentavite tokens; in other words use the Pentavus as an outlet for that mana. Right then, how will this help? Well, the tokens are artifact creatures and they do hit the graveyard when sacrificed. Well:

Disciple of the Vault: Opponent loses alot of life from the creation/destruction of tokens.

Dross Scorpion: Untapping of articfacts many times: Power Conduit (can we say more counters please?), Icy Manipulator, artifact land for lots of mana, oh just be creative.

Leonin Elder: A lot of life is easily gained by the making of these little guys.

Vedelkan Archmage: Card-drawing engine

I'm sure there's more that can be found as well.

Others that I have noticed:

Pentavus + Standardize:
Yay! Now all your creatures are now Pentavites!! For more fun, try unleashing a Myr Incubator before playing this to get out a bunch of creatures. However if you have the mana for it (which I highly doubt), then at the end, sac them all for a big Pentavus.

Pentavus + Mistform stuff:
Yeah, same plan as top, but on a smaller scale. Another fun way to use Mistform decks.......or.....

Pentavus + Artificial Evolution:
Hey! Screw Pentavites! I want to kill off my goblins, or elves, or better yet, the mass producing insects...

Pentavus + Riptide Replicator:
Now you have an engine to create Pentavites...

Pentavus + Forgotten Ancient:
Eh, the attempt to bring back Spikes I guess. Well, this is really a no-brainer.

Alright then, this is all I can find out for now...funny how some of the crappiest rares and cards can turn out some fun deck ideas. Heh.

Natsume