Have I mentioned before how much I like this red
variant on the Ophidian ability? I'll mention it
now. It's the main attraction going on with
Stromkirk Occultist (and trample gives this card
a style of threat that even the original
Ophidian doesn't have), and it doesn't just
broaden our minds about the color pie, being
surprisingly effective in decks with a low-ish
mana curve. Madness is often just a bonus in
this specific case, but it does draw your
attention to other reasons to make use of the
mechanic, ranging from Fiery Temper to Call the
Bloodline, and there's not really any reason the
Occultist would be bad in a theme deck of that
type.
The effect of Stromkirk Occultist lets it slot
into mid-range red decks nicely. Trample means
that it has a pretty good chance of getting
damage in there, and a 3/2 is high enough to get
through in the early game.
The effect is a very cleanly red effect, its
equivalent of drawing cards. A turn 3 Occultist,
if unanswered, can help you curve into the
better spells. Madness is mostly ancillary,
since paying 1 less (while good) is tempered by
a dearth of cheap discard outlets in this
Standard. I think she has a home in B/R
Vampires, potentially, but she’s more of a role
player than a powerhouse.
