Welcome all to the Daily Dose of Core 2019, where preview season is ramping up and our excitement for the new set is growing!
Yesterday, I talked about a couple of new Dragons coming in Core 2019. But there's good news for all you Dragon loving players - that's not the end of them! Today I’ll be looking at another returning Elder Dragon, dragon number three to be exact. I’m also going to have a look at one of the cheapest clone creatures I’ve ever seen, plus a new Bear to help you cast your Dragons. I can't wait to dig into these cards, so let’s get started!
First off, I want to talk about a new Green legendary creature that I believe will have a huge impact on Standard. Not only is it a great creature, it also provides mana ramp, and helps you get damage through all at the same time. Here is Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma:
This is one of my favorite cards from Core 2019 so far. It just works on so many levels.
To start off you get a 4/3 creature for four mana, only one of which needs to be green. Its first ability will go a long way to help you cast some of the large Dragons we've seen in the set. Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma is also great friends with your local Ixalan Dinosaurs.
I love the fact that it reduces cost based on power and not casting cost. How about casting that Rhonas the Indomitable for only one mana? Wayward Swordtooth just got a whole lot better when cast for one mana. Hey look, my kicked Josu Vess, Lich Knight now only costs eight mana instead of 10. Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma even takes six off the casting cost of Ghalta, Primal Hunger thanks to its ability and having four power. And I haven’t even talked about its second ability yet!
That's right, there's more. As a bonus, all these wonderful creatures you're casting will get +1/+1 and have trample when attacking alongside Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma.
I’ve been a fan of clone creatures ever since, well, Clone. I always enjoy when they have different designs and put a spin on the old classic, but having an uncommon clone creature hasn’t happened since, again, Clone itself in Revised. But Core 2019 is bringing us another to join the classic. Let's take a look at Mirror Image:
Being able to get a cheap clone on the battlefield and copy one of your creatures is great for three mana. You can either play it later in the game to copy a larger creature, or play it on turn three. And there are some great targets for two-drops right now.
Copying Glint-Sleeve Siphoner will give you more Energy and help you draw extra cards twice as fast. Copying an Earthshaker Khenra will means you can get in for some extra damage and make it harder for your opponent to block. Copying Metallic Mimic will also allow it to enter with a +1/+1 counter on it. Copying Resilient Khenra means you can attack with your original for four damage. There will be the odd time that there aren't any creatures to copy andyou’ll just have to make sure it's not stuck in your hand.
Finally, we've gotten to the point where I can talk about Elder Dragon Number Three. I’m very excited for the return of the five Elder Dragons, which I only got to play with a long time ago thanks to a reprint set called Chronicles. Here is Palladia-Mors, the Ruiner:
Naya is my second favourite shard behind Grixis, so I’m quite happy with this Elder Dragon. First off, they’ve piled on three abilities with Flying, Vigilance, and Trample. Flying gives you evasion, Vigilance means it can both attack and defend, and Trample makes sure it won’t be chump blocked by a small Flying creature.
Its last ability is kind of unique in that it has temporary hexproof. Basically, the first time that you attack or block with it, it’s going to deal damage and will lose hexproof. This guarantees you getting in one attack for six if you can wait until the turn after you cast it. Ignoring its hexproof ability, Palladia-Mors, the Ruiner is still a powerhouse. It can’t be targeted by Seal Away at anytime and will put a clock on your opponent while simultaneously making it difficult for them to respond with any damage to you.
What another exciting day of previews from Core 2019 here on the Daily Dose. I can't wait to see what the last two Elder Dragons look like, and what other treats are in store for us.
Thanks again for reading! Join me again tomorrow as I look at three more cards as we're currently less than a month away from the new set!
