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Pojo's Magic The Gathering
Card of the Day

Daily Since November 2001!

Wingmate Roc
Image from Wizards.com

Wingmate Roc
- Khans of Tarkir

Reviewed Oct. 10, 2014

Constructed: 4.00
Casual: 4.17
Limited: 4.50
Multiplayer: 4.00

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale:
1 - Horrible  3 - Average.  5 - Awesome

Click here to see all of our 
Card of the Day Reviews 

BMoor

Deck Garage

Wingmate Roc

A 3/4 flyer is a bit under the curve for five mana, but what about TWO 3/4's? That's worth playing! The life gain isn't bad either! Most importantly, in order to gain the life, you have to attack with creatures, which is what you should be doing instead of worrying about life gain. I like the Raid mechanic because it encourages timid players to be more aggressive. This card is especially good for that small subset of rookie mistakes: the hit-point hoarder. I get it, sure, your life total is basically your score in Magic and games have taught us that we want higher scores, but having more life doesn't actually benefit you in any way, except that it'll take the enemy longer to win. Cards like this help discourage such a player from turtling without actually making any progress. I'm just worried the poor soul will make the opposite mistake-- purposely attacking into disadvantageous board states just to trigger the life gain/Raid. Still, that usually works out for you better than sitting there refusing to attack, so give it a shot!

Constructed- 3.5
Casual- 4.5
Limited- 4.5
Multiplayer- 4
Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is Wingmate Roc which is a five mana White 3/4 with Flying, gives one life for each attacking creature when it attacks, and Raid which can add an additional 3/4 with Flying as it enters play after an attack.  This is a very solid creature for the cost, comparable to angels, as it adds the token in addition to added life gain.  It will definitely see play in some token support decks or possibly life gain swarms as it offers a different set of options compared to other White five mana flying choices.
 
In Limited this is a huge bomb that has everything you might want to see with evasion, card advantage, life gain, and decent power plus toughness.  A clear and easy first pick in Booster and very compelling reason to main White in Sealed as there is no real drawback to using this with enough White mana.  Wanting another creature to attack before it enters play and to support the life gain is a weakness when topdecking, though the other benefits are not as situational which maintains the value.
 
Constructed: 4.0
Casual: 4.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 4.0

Mattedesa

Deck Garage

Wingmate Roc 
 
Wingmate Roc is value, pure and simple. In the right deck, attacking first to trigger Raid is not going to be a big problem, even if it means sending a little dork on a suicide mission. Getting 2 3/4 fliers for 5 mana is more than most opposing decks are prepared to deal with. The life gain is very much a secondary, tacked-on bonus, but will make a difference fairly often and help make up for the life lost against quick decks and life loss from fetch lands!
 
Constructed: 4.5
Casual: 4.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 4.0

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