I'm surprised the creative team sanctioned the
use of the word "pony" in a Magic card. I'm
surprised they thought it was "badass" enough.
(That word has, in some of Mark Rosewater's
articles and discussions, been a red flag to
certain of Magic's art aficionados, especially
fans of Rebecca Guay and Terese Nielsen.) I'm
also surprised that this card has the "enters
the battlefield or is turned face up" template,
unlike some other morph creatures with triggers
in Khans of Tarkir. It definitely seems abusable,
but perhaps they thought it would be less
frustrating than the ability to repeatedly
bounce all tapped creatures. That may be true,
but it's equally as good at winning the game.
You may as well take advantage of it.
Today's card of the day is Ponyback Brigade
which is a six mana Red, White, and Black 2/2
with Morph for five that when it is turned face
up or enters play it puts three 1/1 Red goblin
tokens into play. This is an almost strictly
worse Siege Gang Commander and outside of
possibly a very goblin token heavy Commander
deck really shouldn't see much play.
The mana cost is high even for five power and
toughness spread out over four creatures and
Hordeling Outburst is an uncommon in the same
set which is more efficient.
For Limited this is decent for the field
presence in Sealed if already using the colors,
or splashing the third, but it is a little weak
for the mana cost and triple color requirement
even with four creatures put into play. It
is also quite playable in Booster, but is a
difficult first pick as it ties up a high mana
curve slot plus locks you into colors.
For six mana, I usually want to see more than a
2/2 and three 1/1's. There will be times when
the crowd of small creatures will be what you
need, but outside of limited, there are a lot
better ways to start your weenie horde.
If you are drafting or playing sealed, however,
it is a different story. Putting 4 creatures on
the battlefield is a pretty big deal. The fact
that you can also play him as a morph provides
more versatility.
