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Pojo's Magic The Gathering Card of the Day
Daily Since November 2001!


Image from Wizards.com

Sorin Markov
Zendikar

Reviewed November 11, 2009

Constructed: 2.90
Casual: 3.50
Limited: 4.00
Multiplayer: 3.00

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating

Click here to see all our 
Card of the Day Reviews 


David Fanany

Player since 1995

Sorin Markov
 
There's a lot to like about this card. I like how Sorin's abilities illustrate that he's not only a planeswalker but also a vampire. I like the way his second ability has so much synergy with everything from Guul Draz Vampire to Temporal Extortion to Final Punishment. I like his Matrix-style coat and martial arts pose. I like that characters like Sorin are here to add style to the game now that there are fewer legendary creatures around. Play him early, play him often.
 
Constructed: 2/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 2/5
Miguel

Wednesday 11-11-09

Sorin Markov

Constructed: The Planeswalkers from Zendikar are not that good for big tournament play. But maybe they will find the spot.

Casual & Multiplayer: This is a great card for casual Vampire decks. His second ablility can get someone who has gained alot of life and bring them down to earth with the rest of us. He gets a big red target, because nobody likes someone else to take their turn.

Limited: All Planeswalkers are great for any limited format. Gainning life in limited is always great. Bring them down to 10 life. And just the idea of taking their next turn and mess with their game plan.

Overall a very strong Planeswalker.

Constructed: 3
Casual: 4
Multiplayer: 3
Limited: 4 

Later

Miguel

Paul Magic The Gathering COTD: Sorin Markov

Welcome back readers today’s card of the day is newest black planeswalker Sarin Markov. For six mana you get a powerful planeswalker that only decks capable of producing the triple black mana requirement should tempt to put in his deck. The abilities on Markov are powerful and can greatly aid current vampire and black control decks. Adding two counters you get to deal 2 damage to target creature or player and you gain two life, this helps to whittle down the life of opponents to activate vampire abilities or just to control the board. The second ability makes target opponents life total become 10, again this helps activate vampiric abilities the only downside is the opponent clause or else you could use it on yourself in desperate situations oh well. The final ability is mindslaver great as a finisher for opponents and can seal the deal or just be used as a win more strategy. In standard I see Sorin Markov making an appearance in dedicated black zombie decks, using Crypt of Agradeem to fuel more expensive black cards Sorin may make an impact. In extended mindslaver will most likely see more play but black control decks may see resurgence. In eternal formats no chance. In casual and multiplayer the abilities work in unison to help handle multiple opponents and cause definite mayhem around the kitchen table if you. In limited if you’re going mono black and or have mana fixining cards this guy is a bomb and a must pick if your even going partial black.

Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 3.5
Limited: 3.5
Multiplayer: 3.5
Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is the planeswalker Sorin Markov who has three extremely useful abilities attached to a fairly high six mana cost. His
+2 deals damage to a creature or player and adds to your life and his -3
combines well with the in set vampires. More impressively, perhaps, is how the -3 can completely shut down an "infinite life" deck and set them up for an immediate kill from your creatures on the turn Sorin comes into play. The ultimate is a real force to be reckoned with as you can make the opponent's creatures attack into unfavorable conditions, play spells when they are not beneficial, and of course tap out any remaining mana leaving your next turn unchallenged by instants.

For Constructed and Casual this is a solid, if expensive to cast, card that can change the flow of the game in a single turn. Like any planeswalker some defensive measures need to be taken, but after two turns the ultimate can secure a win or just setting the life to ten can be a very efficient use of six mana. Perhaps a little too slow for Constructed yet may see more play in Casual with the number of life gain themes available.

In Limited this card is only hindered by the triple Black in the casting cost. Otherwise all three abilities are able to dramatically change the game. In practice Sorin is extremely difficult to kill after using the
+2 and just cycling through that can be enough to allow your creatures
attacks of opportunity. Very difficult to effectively use in Sealed, but by the sixth or seventh land drop in a two color deck you should be able to play this card. In Booster this will decidedly lock you into Black, but pick it to play or to prevent someone else from using it.
The first ability is reusable burn and life gain, both extremely useful, and the ultimate will win games if played properly.

With Multiplayer the above notes all hold true with the additional option of being able to have one player attack another, possibly decimating two threats at the same time. This can shatter an alliance's hold on the table or if the rules include a limitation on which players can be attacked it will open up an additional target of opportunity for potential elimination.

Constructed: 3.0
Casual: 3.5
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 3.5


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