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Pojo's Magic The Gathering
Card of the Day

Daily Since November 2001!

Stromkirk Noble
Image from Wizards.com

Stromkirk Noble
Innistrad

Reviewed September 26, 2011

Constructed: 4.00
Casual: 3.50
Limited: 4.13
Multiplayer: 3.50

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

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Card of the Day Reviews 


David Fanany

Player since 1995

Stromkirk Noble

What do you get when you mix one part The Dark, two parts Homelands, top-of-the-line gothic horror art, and simmer in the modern card face? We call it Innistrad, and with boosters going on sale later this week, it's time to start reviewing. Remember, folks, it's not paranoia if there really are monsters in those dark corners.

The fact that I saw Stromkirk Noble (and the rest of the red vampires in Innistrad) and barely blinked might suggest that I'm either adaptable or cynical. I love how this guy goes in both vampire decks and non-vampire decks, how he strolls calmly past lots of commonly-played power creatures like Meddling Mage and Knight of the Reliquary, and the fact that he has the Whirling Dervish ability (I love Whirling Dervish!). I also like that they found a way to express the fact that characters in stories (eg. Bram Stoker's Dracula) often can't tell that someone's a vampire until the vampire reveals it themselves. That's like the last thing I would have expected to be expressable in card design form.

Constructed: 4/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 4/5


Paul

Welcome back readers today’s card of the day is Stromkirk Noble an amazing one drop vampire from the soon to be released Innistrad. In standard haters going to hate this is a definitive one drop of the soon to be reborn red and black vampire deck, it is Slith Firewalker minus the haste and the ability to swing through humans (of which there are plenty of in Innistrad) and pumps itself a very solid card and a powerful lynchpin in an expected archetype. In extended and modern if vampire’s decks see a resurgence this could become a valuable asset combined with the previously powerful Zendikar vampires although I am not sure how much better this style of aggressive deck is versus Zoo style decks. In legacy and vintage I am unsure but I am guessing a big fat no. In casual and multiplayer vampires are sure  to be popular as are  humans so this might make an appearance although I don’t get too excited playing a  Slith Firewalker in multiplayer. In limited it’s an early beater which can go along with a tribal theme an interesting pick all though depending on what’s its in the pack it may not be worth picking up early. Overall a powerful vampire that will help establish red and black vampires as a top tier deck again.
 
Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 3.0
Limited: 3.0
Multiplayer:  3.0

Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is Stromkirk Noble which is a one mana Red 1/1 that can't be blocked by humans and gets a +1/+1 counter whenever it deals damage to a player.  For the cost this is a very efficient creature and having the vampire type is beneficial as well with the number of support cards available.  There is no drawback to playing a card like this in a Red deck and it performs even better in a vampire theme and any support to give it additional evasion only adds to the value.
 
For Limited the number of creatures with the human type make this even stronger than the Constructed formats as the unblockable condition can be reached fairly often.  Any 1/1 is useful early in Limited and with support, such as targeted removal on non-human creatures, is can even be effective later.  A solid first pick in Booster that allows flexibility in choosing a second color, preferably Black for added vampires, if needed and a good start for a Sealed deck as well.
 
Constructed: 4.0
Casual: 4.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 4.0

John
Shultis
Phoenix
Gaming

     Welcome to a new week of card of the day reviews here at Pojo.com! This week we look at the amazing new set, Innistrad! Today’s card is Stromkirk Noble. Stromkirk Noble costs only one red mana for a rare red 1/1 vampire. His ability is that he cannot be blocked by humans, and whenever he deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on him.

     I witnessed how amazing this guy can be first hand at the prerelease this past Saturday. There really is not much to say when turn one this is your opening move. Even if your opponent followed with the Diregraf Ghoul, you can still get by for the hit, and cause an even match. And the protection from humans can be devastating in the new set. Even the formidable Werewolves are human before transforming. Meaning that until they are transformed, they can do nothing but watch as you hit their life total.

    In standard, this guy is being toted as the next big tourney card. While this is a fair estimate, I don’t know how much so it will matter. Shock is still Standard, and that can be a fast answer, as will Go For the Throat, and several other kill spells. In Modern, there is a lot of answers. I think all in all that this is definitely a decent card, but will see the majority of its fame limited to constructed, where humans are a main creature type. Outside of those kinds of formats, I think he will be kept in check.

    Still a very great card for only one red mana, and sure to be a favorite amongst red players.
 
Limited: 5/5
Constructed: 5/5
Casual: 3/5
Multiplayer: 3/5

BMoor  Stromkirk Noble

Can't be blocked by Humans? I'm having Vindictive Mob flashbacks! I have no doubt that the Noble will see more play than the Mob ever did though. For one, the numbers on the Noble are more reminiscent of Slith Firewalker than Vindictive Mob, and the Firewalker saw plenty of play. The Noble can hit earlier, swing more often, and while the Firewalker had haste, the Noble has an evasion ability.

And what an evasion ability! Since its inception in Mirrodin, every block except Lorwyn has been liberally peppered with Humans across all five colors. And even Lorwyn block had changelings! Speaking of, Stromkirk Noble and Blades of Velis Vel look awfully funny together-- I can imagine giving the Noble +2/+0 and Humanizing a potential blocker. I predict good things for this king among his subjects, in Constructed and in older formats, and on in perpetuity.

Constructed- 4
Casual- 3
Limited- 4
Multiplayer- 4.25

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