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Pojo's Magic The Gathering
Card of the Day

Daily Since November 2001!

Carnage Gladiator
Image from Wizards.com

Carnage Gladiator
- Dragon's Maze

Reviewed June 4, 2013

Constructed: 2.5
Casual: 3
Limited: 3.5
Multiplayer: 2.5

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 of our 
Card of the Day Reviews 


David Fanany

Player since 1995

Carnage Gladiator
 
Is it odd design to make a creature that's good at blocking penalize you for blocking? Or was the way this card turned out just a coincidence of some kind? The punishment part of this creature can get pretty brutal, especially against people who want to try and throw hordes of Saprolings in your way, but there are often ways around it for constructed-style decks. Thragtusk is still a thing, for example, and other times you can afford to take the damage and bounce back later. Still, a creature that's both hard to kill and kills lots of other things is always worth a second look.
 
Constructed: 2/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 3/5
Multiplayer: 2/5
Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is Carnage Gladiator which is a four mana Black and Red 4/2 that can regenerate for one Black, one Red, and one colorless plus whenever a creature blocks the controller of it loses one life. The regeneration is a little expensive to maintain in normal games, but it does compliment the primary effect well in keeping it alive to force damage repeatedly. The effect can backfire on the user and evasion, Trample, or other effects can possibly achieve more with less risk. It does suit a Rakdos theme well and helps chip away at a life total even if the opponent trades or chump blocks. Overall this isn't a bad support card in a situation where an opponent is well defended by creatures and not an offensive threat, though that situation might not be seen frequently.

In Limited the four mana 4/2 with regeneration aspect is fairly compelling as it is a serious offensive threat that can be hard to overcome. The blocking penalty can go either way, but with Rakdos as a color base loss of life from defending should be of minimal concern. A solid second or third pick after a Rakdos rare and well worth including in Sealed for the offensive, or if needed regenerating blocker, benefit.

Constructed: 3.0
Casual: 3.0
Limited: 4.0
Multiplayer: 3.0


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