Squee, Dubious Monarch – Dominaria United
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2022
Ratings:
Constructed: 3.63
Casual: 4.00
Limited: 4.00
Multiplayer: 3.26
Commander [EDH]: 3.38
Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale. 1 is bad. 3 is average. 5 is great.
Reviews Below:
I’m actually a little disappointed that the newest version of Squee is quite a bit less unkillable than the one just before it, but it is kind of neat that he mimics the escape ability from Theros Beyond Death. The word “escape” is a summary of his interactions with Crovax and Ertai in the Apocalypse novel, and arguably his relationship to trouble in general and what “should” have happened just based on his apparent power level!
Although, there’s not really anything wrong with this card’s power level. Squee doing Squee things eliminates one of the usual turn-offs associated with his game text, namely that you might only get the attack trigger once because somebody blocks it. He’s also costed well to get the traditional upside of his game text, which is when you cast it on an empty table and just overrun the opponent – and haste obviously plays into that too. You usually get some kind of red aggro deck in Standard, where he’ll be worth at least testing, and I think he might even have prospects in bigger formats where fetchlands and one-mana cantrips abound.
Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 4
Limited: 4
Multiplayer: 3.5
Commander [EDH]: 3.5
In the story of Dominaria United, Squee gives up his immortality, though the Dubious Monarch still has a tendency to come back. Unlike his first two forms, there is an added cost to getting him back, basically the escape mechanic of Theros Beyond Death, but he’s the first Squee qith value beyond just coming back forever, thanks to haste and bringing a friend with whenever he attacks. Amusingly, he pairs well with Squee, the Immortal because of being able to cast the other from exile.
I think this Squee is a deceptively good card, in a way. Curving the turn 2 Goblin lord into Squee makes for a big swing on turn 3, and even if he doesn’t pull that off exactly, there’s still value in going wide when you’re a Goblin. He’s not going to be the set’s chase card, but he represents a surprisingly potent threat in a long game, thanks to his refusal to stay dead and bringing friends along for the ride.
Constructed: 3.75 (might be a sleeper pick for Goblin decks)
Casual: 4
Limited: 4
Multiplayer: 3
Commander [EDH]: 3.75
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