mcfarland
06-04-2011, 10:20 PM
I've been testing Mirran Crusader for the last few weeks, and I have to admit that I've been hugely impressed by the guy. On paper I wasn't exactly blown away, but on the table, the knight is nuts:
Double-strike is a mechanic that is usually overcosted because it quickly becomes unfair. First strike is valuable, but it also doubles the value of Hierararch/Pridemage exalted triggers. Any playable sword gives him +4/+4, and more importantly, any equipment that triggers during combat triggers twice. This means that he, in most cases, becomes a one- or two-turn clock. If you have one Noble Hierarch, a Jitte means he's swinging for 10 damage this turn and 18 damage the next turn (or 6 damage and 26 damage). A SoFI means he's hitting for 14 damage and you're drawing 2 cards each turn.
Pro-green and pro-black are incredibly relevant in our format. It stops Vindicate/Pulse/Smother/Go For The Throat/random Black removal. I'd say it out-fights most relevant threats you'll find, including the likes of 'more efficient' beaters like KotR and 'Goyf.
With the prevalence of SFM, I'm convinced that more people should be giving some attention to the guy.
Here's a sample list that I've been playing for reference. It's not optimal, but it's a starting point. In most games, I'd rather topdeck a Crusader than a KofR.
// Lands
4 [A] Savannah
1 [ZEN] Marsh Flats
1 [ST] Forest (1)
2 [ZEN] Verdant Catacombs
1 [U] Scrubland
4 [ON] Windswept Heath
1 [FUT] Dryad Arbor
4 [TE] Wasteland
1 [LG] Karakas
2 [FUT] Horizon Canopy
1 [U] Bayou
// Creatures
1 [MBS] Glissa, the Traitor
4 [FUT] Tarmogoyf
4 [MBS] Mirran Crusader
4 [WWK] Stoneforge Mystic
4 [CFX] Noble Hierarch
1 [ARB] Qasali Pridemage
4 [UL] Mother of Runes
2 [CFX] Knight of the Reliquary
1 [R] Birds of Paradise
// Spells
4 [R] Swords to Plowshares
2 [FD] Engineered Explosives
1 [DS] Sword of Fire and Ice
3 [MBS] Green Sun's Zenith
1 [BOK] Umezawa's Jitte
1 [NPH] Batterskull
1 [DS] Sword of Light and Shadow
// Sideboard
SB: 3 [TSP] Krosan Grip
SB: 4 [ALA] Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 4 [TE] Choke
SB: 4 [HOP] Relic of Progenitus
Double-strike is a mechanic that is usually overcosted because it quickly becomes unfair. First strike is valuable, but it also doubles the value of Hierararch/Pridemage exalted triggers. Any playable sword gives him +4/+4, and more importantly, any equipment that triggers during combat triggers twice. This means that he, in most cases, becomes a one- or two-turn clock. If you have one Noble Hierarch, a Jitte means he's swinging for 10 damage this turn and 18 damage the next turn (or 6 damage and 26 damage). A SoFI means he's hitting for 14 damage and you're drawing 2 cards each turn.
Pro-green and pro-black are incredibly relevant in our format. It stops Vindicate/Pulse/Smother/Go For The Throat/random Black removal. I'd say it out-fights most relevant threats you'll find, including the likes of 'more efficient' beaters like KotR and 'Goyf.
With the prevalence of SFM, I'm convinced that more people should be giving some attention to the guy.
Here's a sample list that I've been playing for reference. It's not optimal, but it's a starting point. In most games, I'd rather topdeck a Crusader than a KofR.
// Lands
4 [A] Savannah
1 [ZEN] Marsh Flats
1 [ST] Forest (1)
2 [ZEN] Verdant Catacombs
1 [U] Scrubland
4 [ON] Windswept Heath
1 [FUT] Dryad Arbor
4 [TE] Wasteland
1 [LG] Karakas
2 [FUT] Horizon Canopy
1 [U] Bayou
// Creatures
1 [MBS] Glissa, the Traitor
4 [FUT] Tarmogoyf
4 [MBS] Mirran Crusader
4 [WWK] Stoneforge Mystic
4 [CFX] Noble Hierarch
1 [ARB] Qasali Pridemage
4 [UL] Mother of Runes
2 [CFX] Knight of the Reliquary
1 [R] Birds of Paradise
// Spells
4 [R] Swords to Plowshares
2 [FD] Engineered Explosives
1 [DS] Sword of Fire and Ice
3 [MBS] Green Sun's Zenith
1 [BOK] Umezawa's Jitte
1 [NPH] Batterskull
1 [DS] Sword of Light and Shadow
// Sideboard
SB: 3 [TSP] Krosan Grip
SB: 4 [ALA] Ethersworn Canonist
SB: 4 [TE] Choke
SB: 4 [HOP] Relic of Progenitus