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

Lone Missionary
Image from Wizards.com

Lone Missionary
Rise of the Eldrazi

Reviewed June 22, 2010

Constructed: 2.90
Casual: 2.90
Limited: 3.33
Multiplayer: 2.90

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 

BMoor

Lone Missionary

A 2/1 for two isn't very exciting. Neither is gaining 4 life. But having them both on one card is pretty nice. The best use for Lone Missionary is in a control deck, to stave off aggro. The life gain can buy you time, and the 2/1 can block incoming aggro beaters and is even big enough to maybe take one of them down. And against a burn deck? You've basically countered one of their burn spells pre-emptively, plus they're likely not playing many creatures and leaving even fewer back to block, so you could maybe swing in with a 2/1 and hit for a few points.

Constructed- 2.25
Casual- 2.3
Limited- 3
Multiplayer- 2.3

David Fanany

Player since 1995

Lone Missionary
 
Some Magic theorists like to talk about "defensive speed," the turn on which you are able to start using your countermeasures to creatures and other threats. Lone Missionary is the epitome of defensive speed - in other sets you would have had to wait at least two turns longer to get the kind of life increase he offers. Considering he's also a 2/1 creature, he is also the epitome of offensive speed. I expect to see him in various decks for a good few years.
 
Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 3/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is Lone Missionary which is a 2/1 for two mana that also gives four life when it comes into play.  A 2/1 for two is fairly weak, but it is a decent gain of life especially when compared to the three mana Venerable Monk.  The Kor type has some support, but this would have been much better with a Soldier, Ally, or other more prominent designation.  As it stands it is a nice addition to any pure life gain deck, but not really worth running elsewhere.
 
For Limited a 2/1 for two is playable and the life gain is hardly a negative, but the real benefit is the common rarity.  Running several of these doesn't slow down your game at all, but makes victory a longer road for any opponent.  A few of these can be present in a Sealed pool and drafting some in Booster to support a White build is a solid strategy.
 
Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 3.5
Limited: 4.0
Multiplayer: 3.5


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